NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray - December 18': Criterion present Cristian Mungiu's "4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days" on a dual-layered Blu-ray. The 1080p image is supported by a high bitrate. The image clocks in at around 2.39:1, though it is listed as 2.35:1. The framing is slightly different than previous releases, with the image showing more on the top and left of the frame, with slightly less at the bottom (the right edge of the frame staying the same). Colors are as strong as they can look in a film that tends to embrace the drab and miserable hues of Romania. The boost in contrast levels is evident on this Blu-ray, showing more variance in darkness and shadows, which is important for a film so full of them. The level of detail is sharp, with clothing (once blurry on SD DVD releases) for example now showing a multitude of textural detail.

The film is presented in its original Romanian with optional English subtitles that are newly translated for this release. This is a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track presented in 24-bit. The surround channels are modest but still manage to create a 3-dimensional atmosphere with subtle ambient noise. This is a Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

Criterion have provided some new extras, starting with a whopping 37-minute interview with director, Mungiu. Also of note is a new 24-minute interview with film critic Jay Weissberg on the "New Romanian Cinema" movement. Also included is the Press conference from the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, featuring Mungiu; director of photography Oleg Mutu; and actors Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, and Alexandru Potocean. We are also treated to some of the extras that were previously available, such as the 16-minute "The Romanian Tour" short documentary and Alternate/Deleted scenes. Also here is the film's trailer, and an essay by critic Ella Taylor.

"4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days" is my favorite Mungiu picture, perfectly capturing a mood with long takes and outstanding performances. Criterion have released the film on an impressive Blu-ray, with a picture that easily bests the previous SD DVDs. Highly recommended.

Colin Zavitz

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ADDITION: Genius (IFC) - October 08': This is just to confirm the October 14th (on Amazon) release of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days indeed looks to be the same transfer as the Mongrel Media release - still in 1.78. I see no difference at all in the image quality... - it is probably from the exact same source. It differs in that they have removed the French DUB (to leave 'none') and replaced the optional French subtitles with Spanish ones. The same supplements are present (same menus too). It still has the same very low bitrate and it not in the aspect ratio when the film won Cannes. We continue to support and strongly recommend the AE UK edition for those in a PAL country or who are not region-locked. 

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ADDITION: Mongrel Media - Region 1 - NTSC - June 08': Let's look at this comedy of errors...

Firstly I was sent a DVD package from Mongrel Media in Canada - it had a DVD box stating it was Mungiu's Palme D'or winning film 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days. But inside that box was a DVD entitled "Muffins For Granny" - ?!?!?. Eventually the correct release arrived but I put it aside momentarily with plenty of other stuff to cover.

Then, a DVDBeaver ListServ member and contributor, Adam, showed a capture from the upcoming IFC (US) release - originally scheduled for July 15th, 2008 - but the ASIN has magically disappeared from Amazon.com (although people are currently renting it from NetFlix). His capture (see below) is in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, but the film was positively shown in the 2.35:1 ratio. Hmmmmm...

I looked it up on the web and DVDTalk reviewed it HERE. But they claim it is 2.35:1. "Presented in anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1, the DVD is outstanding picture quality ...." I suspected they are misinformed and didn't do their due-diligence by actually 'verifying' what they state (it has now been corrected).

Then I looked at the Mongrel Media Canadian edition, assuming it is from the same source as the IFC and yes, it makes the same grave error in presenting the film in the, opened up, 1.78 ratio.

I won't go into a diatribe about transferring films in their theatrical AR's - I think we are beyond that.

So, IFC, Mongrel Media and even DVDTalk... good grief. It seems few are taking their work very seriously here. At least IFC have cancelled their release although some got out (and are being rented) - even though they are being inaccurately reviewed. This is the Palme D'or winning film folks!!! Do you think you could get this right? <sigh>. I don't mean to be too critical but I am really tired of this ineptitude. I mean, even the IFC trailers (on their own website HERE!) are in 2.35:1!

The Mongrel Media (and invisible IFC edition) have the same 15 minute featurette entitled 'The Romanian Tour' , 25 minute interview with 40-year old writer/director Cristian Mungiu and short, 6 minute interview with DP Oleg Mutu (who also did ‘The Death of Mr Lazarescu’) found on the Artificial Eye. They both miss out on the 2nd interview with Mungiu, a 15 minute interview with Anamaria Marinca as well as the alternate ending and a deleted scene running 3:19 + 6:37 respectively.

Mongrel Media want $30 for their edition. I'm sure we don't need to say more than buy the Artificial Eye - the only legitimate edition to enjoy this masterpiece. 

Gary W. Tooze

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ON THE ARTIFICIAL EYE: Pretty dour stuff - both subtly realistic and memorable and impacting - this is an almost mesmerizing film experience - stark, powerful and visually compelling.

As one might expect Artificial Eye has done a thorough and competent job with the transfer to DVD. It looks, I assume, as accurate as one might hope for on SD-DVD. Detail is strong, colors slightly muted and there are no digital manipulations that I can deduce. Contrast is at the high end and the DVD faithfully represents the film's intent on the digital medium. There is no doubt in my mind that this DVD package will be far superior to the IFC (Region 1) release scheduled for July 14th HERE. 

Audio gives us a choice of Romanian 2.0 or 3.1 channel. It showed some of its neo-realistic intent (scattered at times) but all dialogue was clear enough to determine the context and tone of each scene. There are optional English subtitles (see sample below) that was a shade spaced around the, often slow, dialogue but none-the-less nothing appeared missing or précised.

There are some relevant supplements. First off a 15 minute featurette entitled 'The Romanian Tour' - this covers some of the political environment and impact of post Ceausescu's Romania with some grass roots input. We have two (different) 25 minute interviews with 40-year old writer/director Cristian Mungiu. the first is in Romanian with English subtitles and the second in English. He seems to have the 'cinematic gift' judging by the manner he approaches questions about his work. I'll be keen to see more of his films in the coming years. There is a 15 minute interview with the pleasant Anamaria Marinca where she discusses her performance roots, and then we have a final, short, 6 minute interview with DP Oleg Mutu (who also did ‘The Death of Mr Lazarescu’). This is in Romanian and he is interesting to listen to - fairly passionate and direct he knows what he wants to establish in his frame. Finally an alternate ending and a deleted scene running 3:19 + 6:37 respectively.

I knew AE would treat this Palme D'or winning film with the completeness that it deserves - a sublime transfer and a host of interesting, viable extra features. The film is an must-see and we strongly recommend this PAL DVD package. 

Gary W. Tooze