Belle de Jour

[Marq]

Does anyone own this DVD?
It seems to be decent... enhanced widescreen...audio commentary by a scholar, etc.
Yet I seem to recall reading it was kinda lackluster.
So is there any reason I should NOT own this DVD, knowing that I do in fact like the film. I don't think there are plans for a rerelease (Criterion would of course be nice, especially since they've released other Bunuel films, but Miramax rarely hands over their titles).
I ask because I could only find one review ( http://207.136.67.23/film/dvdcompare/belledejour.htm ), and while it is positive, I'd like more confirmation.

I'd be buying the Canadian release...which I think is identical to the US release, but here's the barely different covers:

Canada:


USA:


Thanks.

[decaffish]

i rented it before. it was an OK transfer. although how nice would it be to get this on criterion? it's been one of my favorites for some time. and catherine deneuve is one of the hottest women ever

[asphodel5]

It is falsely advertised as anamorphic (at least the US version). In my opinion it is very watchable and worth owning. I would replace it if a substantially improved edition came out, but I am satisfied. I believe that the poor reaction stemmed from the high price ($32 retail) and the non-anamorphic issue. I believe that it has been reduced since last January. The commentary was OK. It wasn't stunning, but at the time that I listened to it, I wasn't as up Bunuel's favorite themes and types of shots. It was a decent intro. If you have read any Bunuel critical studies it will probably seem rather obvious.

To sum up my opinion. Since you like it, you should buy it. It is adequate.

[water]

A couple of months back I was also on the verge of buying this disc. I seem to remember being told by someone on a message board (and I cannot really remember which one) that although Miramax states the disc includes an anamorphic transfer, it does not.

Since I have a widescreen television, that was enough to stop my purchase.

[Riedenschneider]

The spine also has a stupid American/French double-title: Belle De Jour/Belle De Jour!

The upcoming UK version was once listed as a special edition - but not anymore...

[FilmFanSea]

I am a big fan of Buñuel, and I think this is one of his best films. I found the DVD to be quite good (though I don't have a widescreen TV, so I can't comment on whether or not it's anamorphic). I found Julie Jones' commentary to be excellent: she approaches the film thematically, & has some good insights (she has a strong Southern accent that takes a little getting used to). I bought my copy for $18 (North American DVD).

EDIT: Appears this title is now OOP. I wonder if this means that Miramax is working on a new version, or maybe they sold the rights to someone else (Criterion??). Pure speculation.

[Marq]

ah, that's what it was that I remember as a reason for not buying it... falsely advertised as anamorphic.

Now I realize that I might as well buy it since I don't have a widescreen TV now, nor will I in the foreseeable future.
Thanks for the tips guys, I shall be buying it soon enough.

Amazon, doesn't show it as being OOP... I'll be buying it a local store I've seen it at anyways.

[FilmFanSea]

Amazon, doesn't show it as being OOP

Amazon doesn't have any new copies listed.
The listing here indicates it's been discontinued. I don't find any online retailers which show it in stock (though you may still be able to find it on store shelves). I wrote Criterion, but they have no plans for it right now.

Davis DVD indicates a price drop on Belle de Jour (to an MSRP of $19.99--it was originally $32.99) effective 9/2/03, so it may be that Miramax/Buena Vista will be re-releasing it at a lower price point in September (though I doubt it'll be anamorphic then, either).