Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands

(aka 'Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands')

Directed by Bruno Barreto

Brazil 1976

A generally effective sex comedy, distinguished by its origins (Brazil) and the considerable appeal of its star, Sonia Braga. Widowed when her carousing husband dies under the strain of excess debauchery, Flor marries a staid pharmacist. But her memories of the wild life conjure her first husband back from the beyond, and he takes up where he left off. Bruno Barreto's direction is somewhat poky, but he handles the fantasy element with an interesting matter-of-factness.

Excerpt from Dave Kehr at the Chicago Reader located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 22nd, 1976

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DVD Review: New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:57:20
Video	1.85:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.77 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	Portuguese (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: New Yorker Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Making of... (7:49) • Brazilian Re-Release Teaser trailer DVD Release Date: December 30th, 2008 Keep Case Chapters: 28

Comments:

Although the image on this New Yorker DVD may appear quite weak - I suspect it is close to the original source and of no fault of the digital transfer. As they say 'You can't make a silk purse...'. There are speckles and other slightly more prominent damage marks on this charming film that is over 30-years old now - obviously un-restored and riddled with weaknesses. On the positive - it is anamorphic, dual-layered and progressive. Colors seem fairly bright but look boosted (not manipulated at the digital source, but probably inherent in the D1 used.) It can look fairly thick showing both its age and the film's more basic production roots. Honestly, the image gave a kind of pleasant nostalgia to the presentation. It didn't overly deter my viewing enjoyment.

New Yorker offers original Portuguese 2.0 channel and has optional English subtitles in a narrow white font.

Extras are kind of slight with a 'Making of...' featurette consisting of some behind the scenes footage (optionally subtitled), and a re-release 'teaser' trailer.

I enjoyed the film - not overly bawdy but exploring, in a humorous way, a woman's physical needs and desires as well as how she copes with grief. Perhaps kind of a Carry-On comedy with some heart and depth. Unless someone restores this - I expect this may be the best transfer we'll get. No doubt it is filled with deficiencies. Certainly Dona Flors and Her Two Husbands was entertaining and I encourage people seeing it - unfortunately this particular dual-layered, anamorphic NY'er DVD is probably the best way at present.