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Focus on...Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne (Criterion, 2003)
Robert-bresson.com asked Kate Elmore, producer of Criterion's Les Dames DVD [ cover scan ] to give us her opinion on the quality of the DVD and of the underlying film elements. This is further to a March 6 2003 News item and DVDBeaver's review. Many thanks to Kate for promptly responding to our inquiry.
To : Trond Trondsen, robert-bresson.com From : Kate Elmore, Criterion Date : Wed, 19 Mar 2003 17:48:55 -0500 Subject : Les dames... We too are disappointed with the condition of the film elements for Bresson's Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne. I can assure you that our digital transfer was done to the same exacting standards as any of our others, but that the existing film elements are in unfortunate shape. What you see on our disc is a an accurate, reproduction of the image as it survives in duplicate elements. No amount of digital restoration could solve the problems inherent in the material, and, as is our policy in such cases, we refuse to overprocess the image and sound, removing what remains of the character of the original film (grain, texture, depth), simply for the sake of making a "cleaner" picture. Using a fairly light hand, we removed the worst of the dirt, especially around the opticals and reel changes, but there is very little we can do about the softness inherent in the surviving dupes or the shifting (film weave) that commonly results from warping of the reels. As for the sound, we did manage to improve it somewhat, but again, the original sound elements have not been well preserved. We certainly hope that other film elements, in finer condition, may be found in the future, so that a full film restoration can be undertaken and the picture saved. If nothing else, the flaws inherent in the elements should remind us all of the perishable nature of the medium and of the importance of restoration and preservation efforts. Digital recording is not enough. The celluloid itself needs to be cared for and protected, and in this case, it has not been kindly treated. If something better turns up, as happens from time to time, we will certainly be proud to make it available. But for now, we feel confident that we have made Les Dames look as good as it can, given the state of the film. Best wishes, Kate
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