NOTE: We have added 42 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Czech language. "Daisies" has composition credits to Jirí Slitr (Black Peter) and Jirí Sust (Larks on a String, Closely Watched Trains, etc. and who has composed for over 120 films.) There is notably more music from the likes of Johannes Brahms (Ein Deutsches Requiem,) 19 themes from Album Supraphonu 3, - Filmový Symfonický Orchestr (holder of The Order for Excellence, Prague), conducted by Frantisek Belfín, performed by Prazsky Dixieland and sung by Eva Pilarová as well as Johann Martini's Plaisir d'Amour. It all sounds authentically flat and clear in the uncompressed transfer. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray from Criterion.

Criterion include the audio commentary featuring film scholars Daniel Bird and Peter Hames found on Second Run's Blu-ray. As Colin describes "Bird and Hames cover lots of topics such as production detail and the history of Czech New Wave and Czech Cinema. Peter Hames is also the author of a substantial essay on the film which is also included in this (Second Run) release." There is also a new 10-minute interview with film programmer Irena Kovarova who discusses the importance of Daisies within the Czechoslovak New Wave. Included is a 27-mimute 2012 documentary by Daniel Bird describes the extraordinary collaboration among three artists at the height of their powers: director Vera Chytilova, cinematographer Jaroslav Ku'dera, and screenwriter Ester Krumbachova. Plus a 1/2 hour 2002 documentary about director Vera Chytilová by Jasmina Blaževic as found on earlier editions. Criterion add two short films from  by Chytilová: the 3/4 hour Chytilová: A Bagful of Fleas (Pytel blech) also on DVD in Second Run's Two Films By Vera Chytilova package. It starts with restoration notes: '"The digital restoration of Pytel blech (Czechoslovakia, 1963) is based on the original camera negatives and on the 1963 print screened at the 24th Mostra Internazionale dArte Cinematografica (1963), preserved at the Archivio Storico delle Arti Contemporanee of La Biennale di Venezia. The film was restored at 2K resolution. After scanning, images were digitally stabilized and cleaned, and all wear marks were eliminated. Image grading recovered the richness of the original cinematography. As for sound restoration, after digitization the soundtrack was digitally cleaned and background noise reduction eliminated all wear marks, without losing any of the dynamics and features of the original soundtrack. Special acknowledgments to Jaromir :Sofr and Eva Zaoralova. Restoration works were carried out by L'Immagine Ritrovata of Bologna and Universal Production Partners of Prague in 2012." It is described as "Eva is a new member of a girl's boarding school and textile factory. She looks up to the free-spirited Jana who struggles against conformity and discipline. Jana's conflicts with the staff and other girls have consequences for all." The second short included is "Ceiling" (Strop) from 1970. It runs 40+-minutes. In it a medical student tries to establish her career as a model. Lastly is a Restoration Trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Carmen Gray.

Vera Chytilová's "Daisies" ("Sedmikrásky") is described as a surrealist comedy-drama film and is generally regarded as a milestone of the Czech New Wave. It is also seen as a political indictment of communism and authoritarianism. It has become quite popular in recent years and extensively utilizes color, black and white, tinted montages and distortion effects as a reflection of the frivolous, unstructured lifestyle of the two Maries'. It's endlessly fun, kinda sexy poking fun at carefree female stereotypes and obvious male reactions. Even without any plot specifics - it never grows old. Great to see Criterion's Blu-ray - a notable jump in the image quality and filled with important extras. Strongly recommended!

***

ADDITION: Second Run - Region FREE Blu-ray - November 2018: Second Run's new Blu-ray of "Daisies" is presented from a new HD re-master and transfer from original materials by the Czech National Film Archive. The increase in detail is quite evident in most shots. The last capture featuring the platter of food noticeably shows much more detail and less macro-blocking/pixelation. This new print certainly had some damage, which still shows up in this transfer. To some this could be distracting, but given the film's unique stitch and collage quality, with later scenes even taking scissors to the image and the bodies shown within, this adds to the texture of the film. Certain damage is usually only noticeable for a frame or two. Didn't bother me but your mileage may vary. Colors are deeper and have a wider range of hues, once again best exemplified in that last capture. Notice the red of the sliced tomatoes vs. the red on the cooked bird. Due to this being a newer source, the framing is also somewhat opened up in some scenes. Notice the hairline suddenly appearing on the man in the 3rd capture under the subtitles.

The 2009 DVD had a somewhat flat 2.0 channel audio. This new mix definitely sounds like an improvement. This linear PCM 2.0 track is quite lively actually, though it is a shame that it is not 24-bit. The wonderful bombastic and often discordant score is thanks to Jirí Slitr and Jirí Sust. There are optional English subtitles on this Region-Free Blu-ray from Second-Run.

The new commentary track with Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan is wonderful. Kat and Samm are co-hosts of a wonderful podcast, "Daughters of Darkness" and are not new to the commentary game. They give lots of space to discuss the life and work of director Vera Chytilova in relation to the Prague Spring/ Czech New Wave movement. I particularly enjoyed Deighan sharing the fact that in the native language, the word for doll can also be used to describe a virgin. That little lost idiom is very cool. Chytilova was a strong, unique voice in a field typically littered with men. The director was more or less punished for speaking her mind, and yet this never stopped her, nor did it make her work more reactionary. Ellinger and Deighan clearly have a love of this director and her work, resulting in a very moving and personal commentary track. As the two mention, their track steers clear of what ground has previously been covered on the equally great commentary from film historians, Peter Hames and Daniel Bird. Bird and Hames cover lots of topics such as production detail and the history of Czech New Wave and Czech Cinema. Peter Hames is also the author of a substantial essay on the film which is also included in this release. Jasmina Blaževic’s acclaimed documentary film portrait of Vera Chytilová, the 55-minute "Journey" is also included. A trailer from 2009 for the film is on here as well.

Second Run have a really beautiful package here. The two commentaries compliment each other very nicely, and the documentary is very intimate and revealing. Hames' essay is insightful. As for the film, the transfer greatly improves on the previous SD release without too much tinkering. This Blu-ray is a must have for fans of the film, a thing of such strangely whimsical nihilism.

Colin Zavitz