Contempt Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Contempt" presents a mixed visual experience that, while offering substantial improvements over previous DVD editions, leaves much to be desired. Utilizing the 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer developed by Studio Canal for its European releases, the presentation faithfully maintains the film’s original 2.35:1 CinemaScope aspect ratio. The enhancement in overall clarity is noticeable, particularly in close-ups and long shots, which exhibit cleaner textures and tighter detailing. However, the transfer is somewhat marred by inconsistencies, largely due to the varied quality of the source materials rather than a comprehensive restoration effort. The restored scenes, originally cut from American versions, introduce visual disparities with a softer, almost duped appearance compared to the rest of the film.

Color fidelity and contrast are strong points of this transfer, handling the primary tones integral to "Contempt" with commendable accuracy. The color balance here is an improvement over Criterion's 2002 DVD release, though minor fluctuations do occur sporadically. Telecine wobble is present but minimal and does not detract significantly from the viewing experience. Despite brief instances of small brown stains and white specks, as well as occasional pulses of contrast, the print maintains its grain structure and avoids edge enhancement or compression artifacts. While this transfer could undoubtedly benefit from a more rigorous restoration to match the standards seen in Criterion’s release of "Pierrot le Fou," it still offers a visibly enhanced experience.

Unfortunately, the disc suffers from prominent inconsistencies in picture quality. At times, specific scenes have an upconverted feel, resembling lower-resolution standard definition rather than true high definition. Outdoor scenes often struggle with noise and compression artifacts, undermining the visual integrity of the film. While certain sequences do achieve a level of high definition that resembles a mediocre cable HD broadcast, their sporadic nature detracts from the overall experience, leaving chunks of the movie looking faded and ill-treated. Such discrepancies make it difficult to overlook that this Blu-ray falls short of what one would expect from a premium Studio Canal Collection release aiming to compete with Criterion’s high standards.

The audio presentation of "Contempt" on Blu-ray presents a mixed bag of technical adherence and auditory challenges. Studio Canal made a prudent decision to retain the film's original monaural track, offering it in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 across French, English, Spanish, and German languages. The film's multilingual essence remains intact in the French track, crucially blending French, English, German, and Italian dialogues for an authentic experience. The inclusion of English, German, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles further broadens accessibility. Georges Delerue's poignant score comes through with considerable detail and power. However, the audio leans heavily into the mid-to-high frequency range, which can sound brash compared to modern standards.

However, the imbalance between dialogue and music in the original French mix is a significant detractor. Much of "Contempt" suffers from a disparity where the music overshadows dialogue, exacerbated by Studio Canal's less-than-ideal audio fidelity. Dialogue often sounds thin and hollow due to its live recording, contrasting sharply with the shrillness of Delerue's score. This issue creates listening fatigue, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Interestingly, although the English dub offers marginally better sound quality due to studio-recorded dialogue, it introduces inconsistencies by altering character interactions and translations integral to the narrative. Consequently, viewers might find the original French track more faithful to the director’s vision despite its rawer quality.

In summary, while the Blu-ray’s audio tracks stay true to the film’s original mono intent, varying degrees of fidelity and balance issues make for an inconsistent listening experience. Studios attempting future releases should consider more detailed remastering to align with contemporary audio quality expectations without compromising historical authenticity.

The Blu-ray extras for "Contempt" offer an immersive and informative look into both the film's production and its cultural significance, combining comprehensive documentaries with insightful interviews. The Introduction by Colin MacCabe provides a succinct historical context, while Once Upon a Time There Was...Contempt delves deeply into the film’s background via candid interviews with Godard. Although somewhat redundant, Contempt...Tenderly still adds fresh insights from Alain Bergala. The most engaging feature, The Dinosaur and the Baby, showcases an in-depth dialogue between Fritz Lang and Jean-Luc Godard on cinematic philosophies, enhanced by restored audio. The vintage Conversation with Fritz Lang affords a glimpse into the dynamic between the director and producer roles. The included booklet essay further enriches this robust collection by offering academic perspectives on the film’s reception.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Colin MacCabe: Provides historical context for the film.
• Once Upon a Time There Was...Contempt: In-depth documentary with interviews.
• Contempt...Tenderly: Making-of with new insights.
• The Dinosaur and the Baby: Dialogue between Fritz Lang and Jean-Luc Godard.
• Conversation with Fritz Lang: Vintage interview on set roles.
• Booklet Essay: Contains an essay by Ginette Vincendeau.
• Trailer: Original film trailer.
• BD-Live Functionality

Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt" (1963) stands as a profound cinematic reflection on the intersection of art and commerce. This compelling narrative centers on Paul (Michel Piccoli), a writer balancing creative integrity with the commercial demands of an American producer, Jeremy Prokosch (Jack Palance). The film's intellectual core is deeply concerned with the disintegration of traditional Hollywood filmmaking, a theme mirrored by Fritz Lang’s in-film portrayal of himself directing "The Odyssey." Godard showcases Brigitte Bardot as Camille, whose relationship with Paul disintegrates amidst his compromises, combining a deep sexist critique and personal reflection on his own life with Anna Karina. The film’s narrative complexity is underscored by Godard's reflexive credit sequence, and innovative use of primary colors and classical references.

"Contempt" is an intricate portrayal of a marriage's dissolution paralleled with the decay of authentic cinema. Camille's (Bardot) descent into contempt for Paul sparks due to multiple layers of personal betrayal and cultural commentary. Godard's stylistic choices—including long takes and meta-cinematic techniques—add layers of meaning. The iconic scene where Bardot, naked, quizzes Paul on his love epitomizes the tension between authenticity and superficiality in both their relationship and the film's broader cinematic discourse. Godard aligns Paul's moral decay with his professional selling out, a subplot enriched by rich performances and the Mediterranean setting, captured in stunning cinematography by Raoul Coutard.

Ultimately, "Contempt" skillfully blends Godard’s personal reflections on filmmaking with a broader, philosophical discussion on artistic integrity. This amalgamation of autobiographical elements and the homage to classical Hollywood renders "Contempt" a timeless classic. Each viewing is an excavation into deeper truths, accentuated by its strikingly modern aesthetic, making it a must-watch for aficionados of art cinema.

Studio Canal's Blu-ray release of Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt" presents a complex film within the big-budget, commercial framework that Godard had to work with. While this edition may be somewhat disappointing for those who expected a full restorative overhaul, it successfully preserves the sensuous and intellectually stimulating layers of the original work. The release features engaging bonus materials that provide excellent context and depth, enhancing the overall viewing experience and offering valuable insights into this seminal piece of French cinema.

However, some may find fault with the video and audio quality, considering them subpar for such an iconic film. The video quality has been criticized as atrocious by some reviewers, detracting from the visual splendor that Godard is known for. Meanwhile, the soundtrack struggles with clarity, occasionally bordering on unlistenable. These technical shortcomings may overshadow the otherwise respectable effort Studio Canal has put into the supplementary materials, which are both comprehensive and intriguing.

Conclusion: "Contempt" remains a significant contribution to cinema history, and its Blu-ray release by Studio Canal, despite some flaws, is a noteworthy effort. While it might not surpass previous editions in terms of audiovisual fidelity, it compensates with an array of insightful extras. This release is highly recommended for those interested in classic films and Godard’s oeuvre, notwithstanding the technical limitations.