Steve

I see jet.com and amazon have a non-criterion blu-ray collection called "Jacques Tati - the restored collection" which is from australia.

have seen no comparisons.. both seem to have the same films/shorts. but the austrailian version is much much cheaper (you can get it for about $42 on jet with discounts).

Assume the criterion has better supplements, but I really care about PQ...

anybody have any info on the differences between these 2 sets? I can't find a thing...

https://www.amazon.com/Jacques-Tati-.../dp/B00ND0DKVU

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Jacq.../dp/B00LUSUWSQ

https://jet.com/product/Jacques-Tati...469ca22bd263b7

Thanks.

Why So Blu?

Wait for the half off sale for the CC version.

inri222

Sure wish they would release Playtime on its own.

Why So Blu?

You can get a used copy of the individual non-set release that went OOP a couple of years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...5617975&sr=8-1

rocket1312

I can't speak to the supplements, but the Australian set is (I believe) identical to the UK set and uses the same Studio Canal masters that the Criterion set uses. In terms of av quality, they should be more or less identical.

Doctorossi

I have a like-new condition copy of the Criterion Playtime BD that I would be happy to sell you for a very reasonable price (or trade, if you have any titles I'd like).

inri222

I would prefer the newer version.

http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-re...ollection/1341

Receiving its second Blu-ray release from Criterion, Jacques Tati’s PlayTime is presented in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1 on a dual-layer disc. The film’s 1080p/24hz high-definition transfer is sourced from a new 4K restoration scanned from the original 65mm negative. This disc can only be found, as of this writing, in Criterion’s new box set, The Complete Jacques Tati.

I was admittedly too favourable towards Criterion’s original Blu-ray edition (and I even mentioned I had a fear I may be overselling it), though years later that transfer doesn’t hold up very well. It looked considerably better than the original Criterion DVD, which, even for DVD, was a hot mess, lacking any detail or definition (and 5-minutes’ or so of footage). Getting to see more details in the many long shots wowed me mixed with the fact I was still fairly ignorant as to what the format was capable of I was too ecstatic. Since then Criterion has released stellar transfer after stellar transfer, a lot looking like a projected film, or at least as close to one as possible for the format, and I was also lucky to see a 70mm screening of the film. Going back to the old Blu-ray now it’s now more obvious the transfer comes from a dated master, displaying compression and really lacking those finer details. It’s also a bit darker than what I recall from the screening. Despite being thrilled with the transfer initially I was now quite disappointed with what we got. It’s still better than the previous DVD editions from Criterion (especially that first one, yikes!) and it was still by no means a disaster in and of itself, in fact I’d still say it was pretty good, but it was certainly open to improvement.

Thankfully with this new edition it undoubtedly has been improved upon and then some. Much, much sharper, with better definition and delivery of fine details, this new presentation delivers a more-than-satisfying presentation for the film, and the difference between the two transfers are staggering. A long shot featuring Hulot in the waiting room with the assortment of chairs looks so much crisper here, and the details and expressions on his face come through far more clearer. Edges are crisper and smoother, and the slight edge-enhancement that is now noticeable to me on the old transfer is gone. The image is also not as dark as the old Blu-ray, and seems to match my memory of the screening more (though can’t say it’s exact) and colours, despite the film’s primary “colour” probably being gray, look far better saturated here. There are pops of yellows, greens, and reds throughout, and they look wonderful. Black levels are strong, looking rich and inky, and crushing doesn’t appear to be an issue, while shadow delineation is excellent.

The old transfer presented a far grainier image that unfortunately looks more like noise coming back to it. Grain is present here but it’s very fine so rarely leaps out. It’s rendering is excellent and doesn’t present any unnatural issues or artifacts. The restoration is far more impressive here as well, removing more of the marks and bits of debris found on the old release, with only a few minor fluctuations—possibly the remnants of stains or maybe mold—being the only noticeable problem, and it’s a very minor one.

In all it looks great. I admittedly overpraised the old release so I’m sure my opinion here can be suspect, but the improvement over the old edition is substantial and I doubt anyone will need to make direct comparisons to notice this. It looks fantastic.

rocket1312

If you can handle region b, the new restoration of Playtime is available as a single in the UK.

Jay G.

The Criterion edition has a lot more extras compared to the Australian edition. From what I can find, the Australian edition has 7 short films and a single documentary as extras, while the Criterion has the same 7 short films, plus a lot of documentaries (but not including the Australian set one), interviews, alternate versions and soundtracks, etc.

https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/10...e-jacques-tati
https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/...ection-blu-ray

Steve

I decided to go with the Madmen Australian edition. It had most of the same supplements from the Criterion version that I would probably watch, the same movies/PQ plus a nice documentary on Tati that is not on the criterion. My main criteria though was the price. Even with the criterion flash sale that set was $65 - too deep for these pockets. I got the Madmen version for $40 from Jet.... We'll see if the set is worth it when it comes in!!

Steve

Just got the set... It is just what I was hoping for. Excellent PQ and about 1 to 2 hours of supplements per film. Honestly, I doubt I will watch all of them. Well worth the money.

For me, the criterion set just wasn't worth the extra $25 for additional supplements that I will probably never watch....just my opinion.

note: it if wasn't made clear before, the madman box set is region B locked and you will need a blu-ray region free player to watch it.

Why So Blu?

For those Tati fans like myself - don't forget to complete your Tati collection by getting the animated film The Illusionist.

Giles

What's interesting about Playtime is that the prior UK non-remastered edition has the complete commentary track whereas the Criterion is edited down - considerably