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

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray May 16': The Criterion is dual-layered with a max'ed out bitrate and has the superior transfer with the resulting visuals showing better contrast, richer black levels and a more stable image. It looks excellent in-motion and the darker image quality is more appealing bringing out detail to a higher degree.

Audio also advances a small notice with a linear PCM mono track, in original Italian, but in 24-bit. The Criterion also offers optional English subtitles but is region 'A'-locked.

Criterion include some good supplements; a new, 27-minute, conversation with scholars David Forgacs and Karen Pinkus on the film’s themes, visuals style, and adaptation from Cesare Pavese's novella Tra donne sole. There is also a 23-minute new interview with scholar Eugenia Paulicelli on the significance of fashion in Antonioni’s work. The package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by film scholar Tony Pipolo.

Both Blu-rays are strong but Criterion nudge ahead with the superior a/v and add some worthy extras. Antonioni fans should feel very fortunate. A very strong recommendation!

***

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema Region 'B' Blu-ray: February 2011: The Masters of Cinema transfer of the film for their dual-format package is from its recent restoration by Cineteca di Bologna, L'Immagine Ritrovata, and Martin Scorsese's Film Foundation. It looks excellent - extremely clean and tight - much brighter than the 2001 Image Entertainment DVD that had the film as overly dark removing many details in the frame - this was especially notable on the train sequence. Scratches and noise artifacts present on the US SD transfer are gone - as is its comparative softness. This 1080P Blu-ray supplied me with a solid, consistent and vastly improved presentation - it is the best, by a wide margin, that I have ever seen Le Amiche. Because of this, I felt, that I appreciated the film on a new level - as frequently happens with this higher resolution. Surprisingly, on the Blu-ray there is often slightly less information in the frame - which may have been a product of the restoration. I'm unsure. Bottom line is that this looks better than I was anticipating - lighter in contrast -  but I still feel this is more appropriate to the original appearance as much more is visible in the backgrounds. I'm very satisfied with the visual representation.

Audio is 2.0 channel in a less-dynamic DTS-Master that lends more consistency and crispness to the dialogue than on the older Image Entertainment DVD. The Masters of Cinema subtitle translation is thorough and complete - with an easily readable font. Full marks. The disc is, unfortunately, coded for region 'B' only.

Supplements include a new and exclusive video introduction to the film with critic and teacher Gabe Klinger running about 8.5 minutes in 1080P and a new and exclusive video featuring Mr. Klinger discussing the arc of Antonioni’s entire career. This runs just over 10-minutes - also in 1080P. Masters of Cinema have seen fit to include one of their professional booklets - a 28-page liner notes extra containing newly translated vintage critical pieces about the film, excerpts of interviews with Antonioni, and a 1956 letter written by Antonioni to Italo Calvino. There is also a second disc DVD of Le Amiche in the applicably titled 'dual-format' package.

When Blu-ray started to evolve - I immediately thought to owning all of Antonioni's films in this much more film-like digital presentation. We are slowly but surely getting there. His oeuvre is so rich and I am so glad to have this film and La Signora Senza Camelie released by a company that takes such care to detail producing exquisite digital packages of the highest quality. This goes for Criterion and the BFI's Red Desert as well. Let's keep our fingers crossed for L'Avventura, L'Eclisse, Blow-up, The Passenger - to not only be brought to 1080p resolution but by a company with the passion and dedication that the Masters of Cinema embody. This Le Amiche dual-format package is absolutely recommended!  

***

ON THE IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT DVD - 2002: This DVD is inordinately dark. Although, of the recent non-Criterion Antonioni's we have reviewed - I would suspect that this has, close to, the best image quality. Removable subtitles are a bonus considering La Notte and Il Grido are forced. A very strong Antonioni effort which I highly doubt will be coming out in a superior edition anytime soon. It is the type of Image Entertainment disc that will eventually go out of print and fetch big dollars on eBay like Red Desert. No extras again, but I am glad I have my copy.  out of  

 

Gary W. Tooze