A Day in the Country Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.38:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, Jean Renoir's "A Day in the Country" arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer from Criterion. Originating from a 2K resolution scan of a composite fine-grain print, this restoration was undertaken by Les Films du Jeudi and the Cinematheque Française, with support from CNC. Supervised by skilled professionals, including Herve Pichard and Laurent Braunberger, the resulting video quality demonstrates a remarkable balance of natural light, depth, and fluidity, making it a visual delight for home theater enthusiasts.

The black and white transfer retains robust greyscale integrity, with blacks, whites, and shades of gray remaining consistent throughout the film’s duration. The film appears healthy and vibrant, boasting impressive detail in close-ups and panoramic shots, particularly excelling on larger projection screens. The print exhibits a moderate to heavy layer of fine grain that adds a natural cinematic texture, although it sometimes appears slightly static and noisy. Despite minor signs of age, the transfer shows no significant artifacts or damage marks, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Criterion's meticulous restoration and remastering work, including the manual removal of clicks, thumps, hiss, and other blemishes using advanced tools like Pro Tools HD and iZotope RX 4, ensure clean audio and stunning visual fidelity. The image stability is outstanding, with no degraining or sharpening issues detected. This release is region-locked to Region A, requiring compatible hardware for playback. Ultimately, this Blu-ray edition stands as the definitive presentation of Renoir's classic film on the home video market.

The audio presentation of "A Day in the Country" on Blu-ray offers a French LPCM 1.0 mono track with optional English subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a broader audience. Depth and clarity are commendable, although the dynamic intensity remains somewhat limited. The dialogue is stable and sufficiently clear, though it can feel slightly muddled and flat at times. Despite this, there are no notable issues such as pops, dropouts, or digital distortions, making for a clean listening experience.

The music score by Joseph Kosma is a standout, with strings particularly well-rounded and balanced, especially notable during extended solos. The soundtrack features solid dynamic range without sudden spikes or drops, enhancing the narrative and visual elements effectively. Background nature effects are minimal but suit the film’s context, while high-frequency unevenness is very mild and doesn't detract from the overall audio quality.

Overall, this mono mix might be modest in design, but it performs its role admirably well, supporting the film's atmosphere without drawing unnecessary attention to itself. With no problematic background hiss or distortion, this simple yet effective track serves "A Day in the Country" perfectly.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "A Day in the Country" provides a thorough examination of Jean Renoir's short film through a curated collection of extras. These features, all in 1080p with Dolby Digital 1.0 audio, present detailed insights into the production history, an anthology of outtakes, and Renoir's working methods. Particularly noteworthy is the 90-minute documentary "Un tournage a la campagne" that offers an extensive look at the film's outtakes and Renoir's directorial style. The inclusion of Christopher Faulkner's essays and interviews further enriches the contextual understanding of Renoir's filmmaking process and political landscape during the 1930s.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Jean Renoir: Director Jean Renoir explains the film's origins and his artistic philosophy.
• The Road to A Day in the Country: Jean Renoir scholar Christopher Faulkner on the film’s production history.
• Pierre Braunberger on Jean Renoir: Interview with producer Pierre Braunberger about working with Renoir.
• Renoir at Work: Video essay on Renoir's working methods and outtakes from the film.
• Un tournage a la campagne: Documentary featuring select portions of outtakes.
• Screen Tests: A collection of screen tests from the original shoot.
• Leaflet: Featuring Gilberto Perez's essay "Jean Renoir's Sunday Outing."

Jean Renoir's "A Day in the Country," based on a short story by Guy de Maupassant, manifests the director's prowess through an unfinished yet captivating film. The narrative revolves around Monsieur Dufour's family outing in the summer of 1860, highlighted by the flirtations of local bachelors Henri and Rodolphe with Madame Dufour and her daughter Henriette. Though intended as a short film, it stands incomplete, with approximately fifteen minutes of footage absent. Nevertheless, the remaining segments, arranged posthumously, convey a cohesive, bittersweet story interwoven with nature's evocative presence.

Renoir’s technical craftsmanship is evident from his selections of scenic locales reminiscent of impressionist paintings. Collaborating with his nephew Claude Renoir and notable assistants like Luchino Visconti and Jacques Becker, he captures the natural light and transient beauty typical of impressionist techniques. The film's aesthetic relies on layered compositions, reframing shots, and sweeping camera movements that draw intricate connections between characters and their surroundings. Visual motifs such as rustling leaves and rain-soaked landscapes enhance this lyrical narrative. The presence of a rare, powerful close-up during a climactic moment emphasizes Henriette’s emotions, underscoring Renoir’s nuanced approach to storytelling.

Despite the film’s technical incompletion, "A Day in the Country" retains its emotional depth and visual poetry. Sympathetic performances by Sylvia Bataille as Henriette and Georges D'Arnoux heighten the drama and whimsy of their countryside escapade. This Blu-ray release by Criterion includes enriching supplemental features like an archival introduction by Renoir, scholarly interviews, and screen tests, furthering our appreciation for this exquisite exercise in capturing the ephemeral charm of nature and fleeting human connections.

Criterion's release of Jean Renoir's "A Day in the Country" stands as a testament to the filmmaker's enduring influence and intricate storytelling. The film captures Renoir’s evolving stylistic techniques, which are recognizable in his later works. Despite its incomplete nature, the short film feels knitted into a cohesive narrative experience. The audio and video quality of this Blu-ray release are meticulously restored, offering a pleasing and immersive viewing experience. Criterion's decision to include substantial supplemental features, such as the excellent documentary "Un tournage à la campagne," is commendable and adds significant value to this package.

Among the additional features, a standout is the reel of outtakes, which intriguingly exceeds the length of the film itself. This inclusion provides an invaluable peek into Renoir's creative process and stands as a fascinating artifact for cinephiles. The supplements also include insightful essays and interviews that deepen the viewer's understanding of the film’s context and production nuances. Although the notion of charging a full price for a short film might seem debatable, the richness of the extras compensates for it, making this release a worthy investment for film enthusiasts.

I am very pleased with Criterion's decision to release Jean Renoir’s "A Day in the Country" individually. The great selection of supplemental features, and specifically the inclusion of the excellent documentary "Un tournage à la campagne," makes this exactly the type of release the film deserves. Do not hesitate to add it to your collections, folks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.