NOTE: Cover on Amazon.UK is incorrect.

Region 'A'  - Blu-ray Spine #886

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.90 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

Disc Size: 46,915,649,517 bytes

Feature: 25,223,165,952 bytes

2.0 Dolby Digital French

Chapters 19

Release Information:
Studio: New Yorker

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.66:1

Edition Details:

• Commentary by Kent Jones author of L'Argent (BFI Modern Classics) 

Edition Details:

• Press conference from the 1983 Cannes Film Festival (30:27)
• “L’argent,” A to Z, a new video essay by film scholar James Quandt (50:48)
• Trailer (0:27)
• PLUS: An essay by critic Adrian Martin and a newly expanded 1983 interview with director Robert Bresson by critic Michel Ciment

Blu-ray Release Date: July 11th, 2017
Transparent Blu-ray case
Chapter stops: 19

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

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - May 17': The Criterion is advertised as a "New, restored 4K digital transfer", and is darker and richer than the SDs. Skin tones warm, clarity improves and there is a slight teal/blue-leaning to the visuals. The 1.66:1 framed HD image shows a shade more information on the left edge. The presentation is clean, tighter than the DVDs and it looks superb in-motion.

The audio is transferred in a linear PCM via an authentic mono track (24-bit) in the original French language. Those familiar with the film know there are many 'empty pauses' with sound playing a minor role in the film experience. There are external sounds - cars, trucks, motorcycles that carry depth, but it all sounds as it should - flat yet exporting realism. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

I would have thought a commentary, or a repeat of the Kent Jones commentary on the NY'er would have been in order. We do get 1/2 hour of the ArtPress conference from May 16th, 1983 Cannes Film Festival with Bresson and the cast. There is an excellent 50-minute video essay by film scholar James Quandt entitled “L’argent,” A to Z in which he explores the cinematic world of Robert Bresson and how L'argent represents the summation of the director's style. Lastly, is a short trailer and the package contains a liner notes booklet with a wonderful essay by critic Adrian Martin and a newly expanded 1983 interview with director Robert Bresson by critic Michel Ciment.

Looking at the very last large captures we can see 'combing' or 'trailing'. This indicates that the transfer was not 'progressive' meaning each frame was not transferred individually. I also suspect that the total time is really a PAL time and hazy motion sequences can verify that. Although not typical 'ghosting' it was really only evident on obtaining captures. We will eventually verify.

Positives of the New Yorker package are that, like the MK2, it is 16X9 enhanced and framed at the correct aspect ratio of 1.66. English subtitles are optional and are well done. The image is bright if hazy in segments.

The biggest attribute include on the New Yorker (and not on the MK2) is the addition of the Kent Jones commentary. Kent wrote the BFI Modern Classics paperback on the film (HERE). It is very interesting - he has a lot to say.