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A Day in the Country (1946)
A Day in the Country (1946) poster
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A Day in the Country (1946)

Partie de campagne

Drama, Romance, Comedy • 41m

Overview

The family of a Parisian shop-owner spends a day in the country. The daughter falls in love with a man at the inn, where they spend the day.

Director: Jean Renoir

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

Additional Info

The 2023 BFI Blu-ray and Criterion Blu-ray are similar, from the same restoration.

The audio on the 2005 StudioCanal DVD is still the best version of the audio.

Format

1080p Blu-ray

TSPDT

2026: #126
2025: #126
2024: #125
2023: #128
2022: #128

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 8, Audio: 6, Extras: 9

Length

41 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

3 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release
Additional Info

The 2023 BFI Blu-ray and Criterion Blu-ray are similar, from the same restoration.

The audio on the 2005 StudioCanal DVD is still the best version of the audio.

Format
1080p Blu-ray
Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #126
2025: #126
2024: #125
2023: #128
2022: #128
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 8, Audio: 6, Extras: 9

Length
41 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
3 months ago
Contributors

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Some Like It Hot poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Capelight/Kino Lorber which has heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing, Capelight is slightly better encoded than Kino Lorber

Best Audio:

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102699], but still a bit overly noise-managed.

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Capelight/Kino Lorber which has heavy noise reduction and opening snare hit is missing, Capelight is slightly better encoded than Kino Lorber

Best Audio:

1992 MGM LaserDisc [ML102699], but still a bit overly noise-managed.

1984 CBS/Fox Hi-Fi VHS maybe better?

Singin' in the Rain poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MGM LaserDisc

The Shining poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB DVD

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release has presented the movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 for the US cut or 1.66:1 for the International cut.

The packaging on the back of the 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion Box Set

Best Video:

US Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray

International Cut: Old 2007 Europe Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1999 WB DVD

Additional Info:

No Blu-ray or DVD release has presented the movie in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 for the US cut or 1.66:1 for the International cut.

The packaging on the back of the 4K Blu-ray incorrectly states it as 1.85:1 when the movie is actually 1.78:1 as is the original Blu-ray

Blade Runner poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Video:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Audio:

1982 Theatrical Mix: Embassy Video releases, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

International Cut Dolby Stereo: Criterion Collection LaserDisc, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

1992 Director's Cut Dolby Stereo: WB CAV LaserDisc 2.0 PCM-best fidelity of any mix, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set DTS-HD MA 5.1

2007 Final Cut remix: Blu-ray Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Additional Info:

WB 4K Blu-ray only has Final Cut and contains a bad Atmos remix with new sound effects. Original Final Cut mix was removed.

Blade Runner poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Video:

Final Cut: WB 4K Blu-ray (Caveat: No Dolby Vision from Streaming)

Other Cuts: WB Blu-ray

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set for a better AVC encode

Best Audio:

1982 Theatrical Mix: Embassy Video releases, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

International Cut Dolby Stereo: Criterion Collection LaserDisc, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

1992 Director's Cut Dolby Stereo: WB CAV LaserDisc 2.0 PCM-best fidelity of any mix, HD-DVD for the 70mm 6-track mix

Workprint: WB 30th Anniversary Blu-ray Set DTS-HD MA 5.1

2007 Final Cut remix: Blu-ray Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Additional Info:

WB 4K Blu-ray only has Final Cut and contains a bad Atmos remix with new sound effects. Original Final Cut mix was removed.

Histoire(s) du cinéma poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Radiance Blu-ray

Best Video:

Radiance Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Radiance Blu-ray

Best Video:

Radiance Blu-ray

The Seventh Seal poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 Japan LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1993 Japan LaserDisc

The Searchers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

The Searchers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas

The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.

Additional Info:

Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video. The old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.

That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNRhttps://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l

Sansho the Bailiff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kadokawa Blu-ray is new 4K restoration

Best Audio:

1991 Daiei LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kadokawa Blu-ray is new 4K restoration

Best Audio:

1991 Daiei LaserDisc

Harlan County U.S.A. poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Satantango poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

For BD:

Satantango poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

For BD:

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The Diary of a Chambermaid poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Olive Films Blu-ray

Best Video:

Olive Films Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Olive Films Blu-ray

Best Video:

Olive Films Blu-ray

French Cancan poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray (flawed restoration)

Best Video:

BFI or Gaumont Blu-ray (both from the same flawed restoration)

Best Audio:

BFI or Gaumont Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The BFI and Gaumont Blu-ray releases are both from the same restoration by Éclair. Although this restoration is much superior in detail to the old Criterion DVD, like many Éclair restorations, it has issues with colour. There is a definite yellow cast to the footage, making skin tones appear sickly and dampening the impact of the colour. The image is also murkier than the Criterion

As Renoir scholar Tag Gallagher notes: "I talked a lot toward the end about the light blue walls (Criterion); but when I got the BFI blu I was greatly deflated, because the walls are light gray!"

That said, as visible in the screen caps at DVD Beaver, the Criterion has compromised colour too, and often looks too blue/magenta. There is a regraded edition of the BFI Blu-ray out there on the high seas.

The audio on the Blu-ray releases is slightly compressed, but better than earlier DVD releases and relatively full frequency.

The BFI is most likely the best English-friendly release as it includes English subtitles for the bonus features.

French Cancan poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray (flawed restoration)

Best Video:

BFI or Gaumont Blu-ray (both from the same flawed restoration)

Best Audio:

BFI or Gaumont Blu-ray

Additional Info:

The BFI and Gaumont Blu-ray releases are both from the same restoration by Éclair. Although this restoration is much superior in detail to the old Criterion DVD, like many Éclair restorations, it has issues with colour. There is a definite yellow cast to the footage, making skin tones appear sickly and dampening the impact of the colour. The image is also murkier than the Criterion

As Renoir scholar Tag Gallagher notes: "I talked a lot toward the end about the light blue walls (Criterion); but when I got the BFI blu I was greatly deflated, because the walls are light gray!"

That said, as visible in the screen caps at DVD Beaver, the Criterion has compromised colour too, and often looks too blue/magenta. There is a regraded edition of the BFI Blu-ray out there on the high seas.

The audio on the Blu-ray releases is slightly compressed, but better than earlier DVD releases and relatively full frequency.

The BFI is most likely the best English-friendly release as it includes English subtitles for the bonus features.

The Rules of the Game poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Criterion 4K Blu-ray has marginally better detail and grain structure than ESC 4K Blu-ray

The ESC France 4K Blu-ray is an SDR grade erroneously presented in HDR, but if your player can force the HDR into SDR it looks very good.

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray has the least tampered with audio of the DVD era, but it's possible the 1993 Criterion LaserDisc or the 1998 Japan LaserDisc are preferable.

La Chienne poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

France M6 Video Blu-ray

La Chienne poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

France M6 Video Blu-ray

Whirlpool of Fate poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Grand Illusion poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2021 StudioCanal Blu-ray

Best Video:

2021 StudioCanal Blu-ray has better encode and gamma levels compared to older StudioCanal Blu-ray caps

Grand Illusion poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2021 StudioCanal Blu-ray

Best Video:

2021 StudioCanal Blu-ray has better encode and gamma levels compared to older StudioCanal Blu-ray caps

The Crime of Monsieur Lange poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal Blu-ray

Best Video:

StudioCanal 4k transfer

Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal Blu-ray

Best Video:

StudioCanal 4k transfer

The Golden Coach poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber/Raro Blu-ray

Best Video:

Raro (Kino Lorber) and France TF1 Blu-ray are very similar. Unsure on Japan Blu-ray

The Golden Coach poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber/Raro Blu-ray

Best Video:

Raro (Kino Lorber) and France TF1 Blu-ray are very similar. Unsure on Japan Blu-ray

La Bête Humaine poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion DVD

Best Video:

StudioCanal France and Spain have BDs

La Bête Humaine poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion DVD

Best Video:

StudioCanal France and Spain have BDs

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 4K transfer

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 4K transfer

This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 2K master

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 2K master

The Girl Can't Help It poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray HD transfer

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray HD transfer

Love Affair poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 4K restoration

Love Affair poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray 4K restoration

History Is Made at Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray, 4K transfer

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray, 4K transfer

Solaris poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Mosfilm official 4K Youtube Streaming

Best Video:

Mosfilm official 4K Youtube Streaming

See comparison vs German Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray which is a 2K upscale of the previous restoration

Criterion/Artificial Eye Blu-ray are even older restoration than the Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray has incorrect pitch on the Russian audio see thread

Solaris poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Mosfilm official 4K Youtube Streaming

Best Video:

Mosfilm official 4K Youtube Streaming

See comparison vs German Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray which is a 2K upscale of the previous restoration

Criterion/Artificial Eye Blu-ray are even older restoration than the Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Filmjuwelen 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray has incorrect pitch on the Russian audio see thread

Smiles of a Summer Night poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI newer master than Criterion (standalone and boxset)

Best Audio:

Tartan DVD

Best English-Friendly:

BFI Blu-ray

Best Video:

BFI newer master than Criterion (standalone and boxset)

Best Audio:

Tartan DVD

The Silence of the Lambs poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Before Midnight poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony Blu-ray

Criterion Blu-ray uses the same transfer as Sony but the encoding is slightly worse than Sony and barely noticeable see caps

Best English-Friendly:

Sony Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony Blu-ray

Criterion Blu-ray uses the same transfer as Sony but the encoding is slightly worse than Sony and barely noticeable see caps

Sweet Movie poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Transgressive Visions German 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion NTSC DVD

The UHD has audible artifacting and sounds metallic.

Best English-Friendly:

Transgressive Visions German 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion NTSC DVD

The UHD has audible artifacting and sounds metallic.

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A Day in the Country (1946) backdrop