Danton: The Criterion Collection (DVD)

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Wajda adopts a fairly straightforward shooting style with few of the stylistic flourishes that catapulted him to arthouse fame in the 1950s with films like "A Generation" (1955) and "Kanal" (1957). Cinematographer Igor Luther shoots a film that is both beautiful and suitably grubby, but in many ways "Danton" looks like a generic period piece, staid, dignified, technically accomplished but uninspired. The film lacks the vitality and excitement of Wajda´s earlier work.

Courtrooms are usually the place where good movies go to die, but Wajda keeps the drama moving, powered mostly by Depardieu´s raw performance and the outrageous spectacle of the government´s sham trial. It´s really the only time we get a sense of just how close the people are to rebelling, and it´s easy to understand by Robespierre feared Danton´s potential to serve as a tipping point. Wajda also films the execution with minimal fanfare. It´s an ugly, shameful thing done in an ugly, shameful way, and provides a strong final note for this mildly disappointing film.

VIDEO

The film is presented in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The digitally restored transfer is sharp and captures the understated visual design of the film quite well. This is not a colorful historical epic, but a shabbier, more intimate piece, and the transfer doesn´t try to tart it up at all.

AUDIO

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Optional English subtitles support the French audio. Polish-speaking actors are dubbed by French voice-overs.

EXTRAS

"Danton" doesn´t have as many extras as you might expect from a 2-disc set.

The main feature is a 1983 behind-the-scenes documentary (43 min.) about the making of the film, directed by Tomasz Pobog-Molinowski. You get a good sense of what an obsessive director Wajda is.

There are also two interviews. Wajda and critic Jerzy Plazewski discuss the film´s relationship to the Solidarity movement in Poland (17 min.) Jean-Claude Carrière (14 min.), one of an army of writers credited with the screenplay, talks about his collaboration with Wajda, and the importance for him of working with a non-French director who helped bring a different perspective to 1794 France.

The insert booklet contains an essay by critic Leonard Quart.

FILM VALUE

Criterion has released a one-two punch this month with "The Last Metro" and "Danton," two somewhat staid and plodding historical pieces by great auteurs, and whose chief redeeming quality is a superb lead performance by Gérard Depardieu. "Danton" tackles a complex period of French history in a direct and simplified manner. The results are mixed. It´s not Wajda´s finest work by a long shot, but it´s still worthwhile even if for nothing more than Depardieu.

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