Playtime (DVD)

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Typical of the film, Hulot drifts in and out of focus throughout this extended sequence, sometimes the center of the action, sometimes on the periphery, and sometimes disappearing altogether. With the importance of the score in this portion of the film, the Royal Garden sequence can easily be conceived of as a musical number. With the intensity it maintains from start to finish, peaking ever higher each time it seems to have climaxed, it most closely resembles Jefferson Airplane´s "White Rabbit" except maintained over the length of an entire concept album, even though it seems such a thing should be impossible according to the laws of classical physics.

As great as the first two Hulot films were, "Playtime" exceeds them in every way. As cheerful and light-hearted as the film is, "Playtime" is one of the most audacious movies ever made, creating a film-world and a film-language entirely of its own (again, a comparison with "2001" seems appropriate.) And though the movie is so meticulously crafted and so unique to Tati´s vision it can rightly be described as "hermetic," it is still readily accessible by any viewer. Once more living up to its title, "Playtime" is just plain fun.

Tati is one of only a handful of film-makers who mastered nearly every aspect of the medium (image, sound, music, narrative, etc.), and found a way to make them work in perfect harmony. "Playtime" is his greatest creation, and belongs on the very short list of candidates for the title of "Greatest Film Ever Made."

Video

The film is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The newly restored digital transfer is superb and, unlike the first Criterion edition, the picture is not cropped, nor is this transfer picture boxed (those little black bars on the left and right sides) like many recent Criterion widescreens. The colors are perfectly timed, and the image quality is razor sharp. I don´t have a single complaint.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. The film can be watched either in its French soundtrack or the International (English) Soundtrack, both of which were designed by Tati. Optional English subtitles support the audio on both soundtrack versions.

Extras

Disc One includes a video introduction by Terry Jones (6 min.) as well as selected scene commentary (for about one-third of the film) by film historian Philip Kemp.

The film is also offered in its French soundtrack, and its alternate international soundtrack. The latter is not merely an addition for the DVD, but was designed by Tati.

The version of the film included here is the full 70 mm version, not the slightly truncated international version (this one is about five minutes longer) included on the first Criterion release of "Playtime."

Disc Two includes a host of extras, including the short film "Cours du Soir" which was also available on the first Criterion release. This 1967 short (28 min.) is directed by Nicolas Ribowski and stars Tati as a mime instructor who teaches his class how best to observe people engaged in various activities: smoking, fishing, walking, etc. This isn´t Tati´s best work, but it´s still quite funny.

New to this release are several features:

"Au-delá de ´Playtime´" is a short documentary (6 min.) which includes some very exciting behind-the-scenes footage on the set of "Playtime."

"Tati Story" (20 min.) is a biographical film about Tati which tells all the basics. The best part of this short is footage of Tati speaking at the 1977 Cesar Awards.

"Jacques Tati in Monsieur Hulot´s Work" (49 min.) is probably the best feature on the DVD. This 1976 BBC Omnibus program takes place at the Hotel de la Plage (where "Monsieur Hulot´s Holiday" was filmed), and mixes footage from Tati´s films with an interview conducted by Gavin Millar. Some fantastic stuff here.

A video interview with script supervisor (they used to call them "script-girls") Sylvette Baudrot (12 min.) provides a few interesting anecdotes.

"Tati at the San Francisco Film Festival" rounds out the collection. This consists of audio excerpts of Tati speaking at the 1972 SF Festival where "Playtime" had its long-delayed American debut. The excerpts are from a panel discussion moderated by Albert Johnson.

The liner notes include a very personal and enlightening essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum, who has elsewhere named "Playtime" his favorite film of all-time.

Film Value

Criterion´s first release of "Playtime" was considered a disappointment by most Tati fans, but this re-release corrects every previous flaw. With its gorgeous new transfer, superior soundtrack, and superb collection of extra features, this new edition is not only the definitive DVD version of "Playtime" but also the best and most important Criterion release of 2006.

As great as this DVD is, however, there is no way to reproduce the experience of seeing "Playtime" on a 70mm print. If you ever get the opportunity to see it on 70mm, move heaven and earth to get yourself to the theater. There is simply no substitute.