Comments

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

ADDITION: Carlotta - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (April 2012): We have already compared DVDs and the ITV Blu-ray to the Criterion HERE, but with the addition of the new Carlotta - we thought it prudent to redo captures for the initial and latest 1080P releases. To make some quick points - the single-layered ITV utilized the VC-1 encode, and with the lower bitrate was slighter less-vibrant than the Criterion - which showcased more grain and just generally looked better at replicating the vibrancy of Technicolor. But perhaps the biggest factor in dismissing the early UK Blu-ray was is audio which was not lossless. Fans of the film will note that the powerful Brian Easdale music and effect sounds (ever-present wind, booming bell etc.) was a key component to creation of an aura of intended desolate Himalayan mountain locale (although, as famously known, all shot in-studio). Criterion's uncompressed audio transfer was another significant improvement. And, of course, the supplements including Scorsese commentary etc. were other factors in easily recognizing the Criterion as the definitive release.

The new Carlotta is a handsome package - a beautiful black Blu-ray case - with an adept transfer. It is slightly less robust than the Criterion but most might be hard-pressed to distinguish any strong differences. I'd say the Criterion has a slight superiority in contrast and shows a shade more grain. Overall it is quite comparable to the Criterion video rendering in-motion. Even under the microscope of zoomed-in screen captures - this is visual winner.

Carlotta have not made the same faux-pas as ITV and included a lossless score - both in original English and an optional French DUB. My Momitsu was able to remove the French subtitles (when 'English' was chosen from the menu) via my remote and I expect this is true for most, if not all, Blu-ray players.

Overall, pretty sweet a/v on the region 'B'-locked French disc - obviously advancing beyond the UK counterpart.

There are some viable supplements as well with the 25-minute Profile of “Black Narcissus” documentary found on both other Blu-ray releases and a new piece entitled Spectrum - a half hour film in 1080i on Black Narcissus by Darius Khondji. It runs 1/2 an hour but is, unfortunately, only in French (no English subtitles). They include an HD trailer and some nice black and white stills in a gallery.

This French edition is a solid-as-a-rock release - quite a beautiful package - not dethroning the Criterion for top spot worldwide but handily the definitive choice for region 'B'-locked audiences. We can easily recommend it.   

Gary W. Tooze