Audio gets a linear PCM mono track (16-bit) in the original French language. It seemed adequate with the music, some perceived sync issues (that I recall from the DVDs) but they were not invasive. The uncompressed faithfully exports the score by Joe Hajos (Gunman in the Streets) and the occasional lively sounds of the film. There are optional English subtitles on the Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras all are from Gaumont in French with English subtitles. Included is the, almost hour-long, documentary A Journey Through Le Plaisir by Philippe Roger featuring interviews with cast and crew, and a visit of the film's locations fifty years later. Diary of a Film Shoot is a 1/2 hour interview with Ophuls assistant director, Jean Valerie, plus there is a 14-minute interview with Marcel Ophuls, the filmmaker son of Max. Le Plaisir Restored, has Ronald Boullet and Andre Labbouz discuss the restoration process for about 6.5 minutes. Lastly is an unrestored theatrical trailer and the Blu-ray  package has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jennifer Dionisio and for the first pressing, an illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Alexander Jacoby and Philippe Roger - is included.

A resolution upgrade for those wishing to revisit Ophuls' film in a new, highly revealing, video presentation.

***

ADDITION: Criterion - September 08': I got in some heck from DVD-aficionados that I wasn't critical enough of the Second Sight transfers. To be honest I was more thrilled to own the 4 films on DVD - and the package received numerous DVD of the Year votes in 2006.

The Criterion is pictureboxed transferred (see our full description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review) with a black border circumventing the framed image. It looks to have been digitally cleaned and the manipulation of contrast appears to have removed some detail from the image. This appears akin to our comments for Criterion's issue of Keisuke Kinoshita's Twenty Four Eyes. Surprisingly, the PAL image, in this case, may be marginally superior despite its brightness boosting. The Criterion is a shade darker throughout. Contrast may (or may not) lean to Criterion despite the prevalent flickering and muddiness that I noticed. It is heavier than I would like. The NTSC disc seems to show quite a few artifacts as well despite being dual-layered. The Second Sight appears to show a shade more information in the frame - mostly on the right edge. The PAL disc shows a bit more dirt and prominence in light scratches/speckles although I didn't find this intrusive.

Criterion have a clear mono track with optional English subtitles. Although I didn't scrutinize - I didn't notice any prominent differences in the subtitle translations.

In regards to supplements - two are repeated from the Second Sight DVD - the enjoyable and informative Todd Haynes 17 minute introduction and the 20-minute From Script to Screen video essay featuring film scholar Jean-Pierre Berthomé discussing the evolution of Max Ophuls’s screenplay for Le plaisir. Criterion lose the wonderful, 54-minute, A Journey Through le Plaisir. However it gains the English and German-language options of the opening narration. Ophuls recorded two narrations - one in each language - using two of his favorite actors - Peter Ustinov and Anton Walbrook. NOTE: In the 'English' version the dialogue remains in French while in the German version - the entire film is dubbed into German. This is just an excerpt of the opening narration in each language. Nostalgic interviews starting with actor Daniel Gélin (who worked with Hitchcock, Cocteau and Louis Malle) from 1989 by Martina Muller (as are all three interviews). It is 12-minutes long. There is another with assistant director Tony Aboyantz whose first job was working on Le Plaisir - he would later work with Ophuls on Lola Montes. It is 13-minutes long. Lastly we have set decorator Robert Christidès - who worked for over 30-years in that occupation. He has much to share in his 15 minutes with Martina. Criterion include a wonderful 18-page liner notes booklet with photos and a new essay by film, and friend, critic Robin Wood.

I'm content to own both packages and they both have value. The film is a masterpiece of subtleties and although I'm a bit shocked at Criterion's slightly lesser image quality - I doubt many purchasers' systems would identify it to an overly extensive degree. The flickering was a bit off-putting although perhaps this is the best that can be done digitally barring a more advanced restoration.

We will try to review/compare the other two titles in the upcoming days. Stay tuned.    

Gary W. Tooze

***

ON THE SECOND SIGHT: This transfer looks very nice - healthy detail and acceptable contrast (there may be some slight boosting, but it is not blanketed and therefore considered a form of restoration).

A Journey Through le Plaisir , almost 1 hour, is a fabulous extra - solid information on both the film and Ophuls - worth the price of the disc alone. Todd Haynes gives another great introduction and there is another featurette - From Script to Screen. Only lacking a commentary this has some substantial extras - very worthwhile viewing in my opinion.

I'm very appreciative that this and the other Ophuls DVDs came out - quality is better than I anticipated and the films are must-owns for serious films fans. We again recommend!  

Gary W. Tooze