The Bride Wore Black Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Bride Wore Black" from Kino Lorber, encoded in MPEG-4 AVC, delivers a 1080p transfer in a 1.67:1 aspect ratio. Utilizing the same MGM master as the earlier Twilight Time release, this edition enjoys a significantly higher bitrate, ranging between 35 and 38 mbps, compared to Twilight Time's average 20 mbps. This enhancement translates into a visibly more vibrant and detailed image with brighter colors and deeper black levels. Despite marginal density fluctuations, the clarity and delineation remain generally solid. The color balance is commendably stable, although slight improvements in saturation could enhance highlights.

The transfer maintains a pleasingly organic appearance, free from problematic digital corrections, allowing for a natural, film-like texture. While occasional grain and print damage are discernible, these blemishes do not detract from the viewing experience. The film's aged master does exhibit some limitations typical for its era, such as fading and minor blemishes, yet it avoids distracting cuts or torn frames. Image stability remains largely consistent, and good shadow delineation ensures that detail is preserved in darker scenes.

Skin tones appear authentic with consistent stability, and the overall color palette preserves the integrity of the film’s original cinematography. The presentation highlights fine details, like Jeanne Moreau’s subtle crow’s feet and her character’s nuanced expressions. While some cinephiles may find an upgrade worthwhile due to the pronounced enhancements in contrast and color vibrancy, others satisfied with the Twilight Time release might consider it adequate. Overall, despite a slightly dated look inherent to the older master, this Blu-ray release offers a well-executed representation that appeals both visually and technically.

The Blu-ray release of "The Bride Wore Black" features a French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track that offers a generally clear presentation of dialogue, crucial for comprehension. The clarity makes the dialogue easy to follow, although some minor unevenness occasionally surfaces, likely due to inherent limitations rather than remastering flaws. While not dramatically transformative, remastering could refine these nuances further. The English subtitles provide an accurate translation, ensuring accessibility for non-French speakers.

Comparatively similar to its Twilight Time predecessor, the audio fidelity of this release has been described as clear yet lacking depth, especially affecting Bernard Herrmann's evocative score. Such deficiencies result in a subdued rendering of the music, impacting the overall auditory experience. Notably, environmental sounds such as screeching train wheels, roaring jets, and subtle effects like footsteps and weather elements are reproduced with precision, highlighting the sound mix's crispness. Importantly, the mono track is devoid of age-related audio defects like hissing or popping.

Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio track stays true to the film's original French mono composition. Despite minor imperfections, the dialogue and sound effects are presented faithfully with minimal disturbances. This version mirrors the audio quality of the previous Twilight Time Blu-ray, offering consistent performance for loyal viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "The Bride Wore Black" offers an impressive and informative set of extras, though some features from previous editions are notably absent. The centerpiece is an engaging audio commentary by film historians Julie Kirgo, Steven C. Smith, and the late Nick Redman, providing in-depth insights into the film’s production challenges, Truffaut's relationships, and its connections to Hitchcock's work. The discussion extends to the mishandling of Bernard Herrmann's score and challenges the notion of the film as merely an homage. Additionally, the vintage theatrical trailer is included, alongside several trailers for other KLSC releases. However, this edition omits the English-dubbed version, an isolated score track, a bonus CD interview with Herrmann, and a booklet essay by Kirgo found in previous releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Detailed analysis by film historians Julie Kirgo, Steven C. Smith, and Nick Redman.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original preview of “The Bride Wore Black”.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: Selection of trailers for other KLSC releases.

François Truffaut's "The Bride Wore Black" (1968) makes its Blu-ray debut via Kino Lorber, offering a mix of Truffaut's distinct style and homage to Alfred Hitchcock, whom Truffaut admired and studied deeply. The film is grounded in a narrative derived from Cornell Woolrich's novel, revolving around Julie (Jeanne Moreau), a vengeful widow seeking justice for her husband's untimely demise. Truffaut's episodic structure weaves through Julie's calculated encounters with five men she holds accountable, while integrating Hitchcockian elements like subjective camera angles and Bernard Herrmann's atmospheric score.

While the film presents a sophisticated blend of neo-noir thriller and black comedy, it struggles to achieve the suspense and narrative coherence characteristic of Hitchcock's masterpieces. Critics often highlight the film’s episodic fragmentation and seemingly contrived story arcs, which require a significant suspension of disbelief. Despite this, Truffaut succeeds in crafting scenes where Julie's reality blends with the surreal, flirting with the idea that her violent journey might be an elaborate fantasy within her mind.

Jeanne Moreau's steely performance as Julie, although criticized for its emotional monotony, captivates audiences by embodying a detached resolve not typically associated with Hitchcock's heroines. The film's supporting cast, including Michel Bouquet and Michel Lonsdale, deliver compelling performances that reinforce the story’s grim undertones. Despite mixed critical reception at its release, "The Bride Wore Black" has garnered appreciation for its bold narrative choices and influence on contemporary filmmakers, confirming its status as one of Truffaut’s more intriguing yet polarizing films from the 1960s.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "The Bride Wore Black" offers a noteworthy upgrade over previous editions, transforming François Truffaut's underrated neo-noir homage into an essential piece for modern collections. The Blu-ray, sourced from a solid older master supplied by MGM, demonstrates significant improvements in picture quality, delivering a more vibrant and sharper visual experience. Jeanne Moreau's compelling portrayal of the enigmatic femme fatale remains the centerpiece of this stylish yet plot-hole-riddled narrative.

Despite its mixed critical reception and underperformance at the box office, the film stands as one of the most elegant Hitchcock homages of the 1960s. Truffaut masterfully crafts a darkly comic thriller that echoes Hitchcock's signature style, even as it diverges in wit and logical structure. The Blu-ray edition notably includes an informative commentary track from a previous release, although not all bonus content has been retained.

In conclusion, Kino Lorber's reissue of "The Bride Wore Black" is highly recommended for cinephiles and collectors drawn to Truffaut’s work and Hitchcock-inspired cinema. With improvements in video quality that enrich the viewing experience and its status as a valuable option for those who missed prior editions, this Blu-ray release is a commendable revival of a French classic.