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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (July 2020): Criterion have transferred Jean Renoir's Toni to Blu-ray. It was restored by CNC in 2019 and this 1080P transfer is via the "New 4K digital restoration". It looks wonderful in HD - the black levels are significantly deeper and richer, while grain textures are thick rich and consistent. Side by side the DVD now looks slightly vertically stretched (thinner faces) and Criterion's 1.37:1 aspect ratio appears more natural. There is more information on all 4 sides of the frame and, overall, this new Blu-ray presentation is a remarkable improvement over the strong DVD from 2006.

NOTE: We have added 26 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 French language. There is only the guitar music of Paul Bozzi credited for the score. Dialogue is clear, a shade rough - as per an early production - but is audible.  Criterion offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray includes the 2006 commentary, found on the PAL DVD, with critics Kent Jones and Phillip Lopate. It is excellent. There is also a short introduction by director Jean Renoir from 1961, a 1.5 hour episode of Cinéastes de notre temps from 1967 on Renoir, directed by Jacques Rivette and featuring a conversation with actor Charles Blavette about the film. This Cinéastes de notre temps series from the 60's were in-depth documentaries about notable filmmakers from around the world, with face-to-face interviews, often conducted by Janine Bazin and André S. Labarthe. It is, obviously, in French with optional English subtitles. There is a new video essay about the making of Toni by film scholar Christopher Faulkner running 25-minutes and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau.

Jean Renoir's Toni has the director's focus on inter-personal and human emotions. His personalized cinema is hard to ignore and results here in a highly enjoyable film experience. I've very happy to own on this 4K-restored Blu-ray with uncompressed audio, the excellent commentary, extensive other extras including the valuable video essay. Strongly recommended! 

Gary Tooze

ON THE DVD: What a great find by Master's of Cinema - and for a film of over 70 years old the image is quite remarkable. The print used has sporadic dirt, light scratches and dust but is otherwise exceptional with digital noise appearing as grain. Contrast is very strong with the possibility of some slight black boosting. Everything is at the elevated standard that we have come to expect from a Master's of Cinema release and we should feel quite fortunate to be able to see the film in such exemplary quality.

I was very appreciative of the commentary with Jones and Lopate working dynamically well together - neither dominating yet both contributing imperative data for further in-depth appreciation. They reflect on many other films that harkens to memorable scenes in Toni and support each other's contentions with guarded references to Cassavetes, Mizoguchi, Kiarostami, Visconti and more. Geoff Andrew's 17 minute introduction is a good premise to viewing. It unusually looks to have been filmed in his bedroom!?! His comments make for a fine base before viewing the film, although some may prefer the watching the feature presentation first before exposing themselves to his insightful information. He makes important observations on post-dubbing and other later production details not necessarily present in Toni.

This is a great release folks. I am thrilled with it. Truly, I think this is one of the best DVD releases of the year so far and can see it garnering many votes in our balloting in December. I consider this a must-own DVD.

Gary W. Tooze