Best Blurays IconBest Blurays
Films
/
Bay of Angels (1963)
Bay of Angels (1963) poster
Letterboxd

3.8

Bay of Angels (1963)

La Baie des Anges

Romance, Drama • 1h 24m

Overview

A bank clerk is drawn into the risky world of a gorgeous gambling addict.

Director: Jacques Demy

Best English-Friendly Release

Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Best Video Release

Only in Criterion

Format

1080p Blu-ray

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 8, Audio: 7, Extras: 9

Length

84 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

The Bay of Angels, Bay of the Angels

Last Updated

a year ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release

Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Best Video Release

Only in Criterion

Format
1080p Blu-ray
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 8, Audio: 7, Extras: 9

Length
84 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
The Bay of Angels, Bay of the Angels
Last Updated
a year ago
Contributors

More from Jacques Demy

See more →
The Pied Piper poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber OOP Blu-ray or Japan Blu-ray, no comparison available

The Pied Piper poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber OOP Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber OOP Blu-ray or Japan Blu-ray, no comparison available

Lady Oscar poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan or Italy Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Blu-ray new 2K resto of 6K scan https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=334691  Screencaps look great https://www.mondo-digital.com/ladyoscar.html 

Italy also has a recent Blu-ray release

Lady Oscar poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Japan or Italy Blu-ray

Best Video:

Japan Blu-ray new 2K resto of 6K scan https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=334691  Screencaps look great https://www.mondo-digital.com/ladyoscar.html 

Italy also has a recent Blu-ray release

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Young Girls of Rochefort poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

ARTE France Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion and ARTE France looks slightly different, ARTE color is more lifelike but more blocky, neither looks the best. https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=7958&d2=7959&c=3233

Best English-Friendly:

ARTE France Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion and ARTE France looks slightly different, ARTE color is more lifelike but more blocky, neither looks the best. https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=7958&d2=7959&c=3233

Lola poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Demy Set, but terrible DNR from master for all releases

Lola poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Demy Set, but terrible DNR from master for all releases

A Room in Town poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Best Video:

Only in Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

A Room in Town poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Best Video:

Only in Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Donkey Skin poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Best Video:

Only in Criterion, no information on France ARTE quality

Donkey Skin poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion The Essential Jacques Demy set Blu-ray

Best Video:

Only in Criterion, no information on France ARTE quality

Model Shop poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow UK Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow UK Blu-ray or Twilight Time US Blu-ray but OOP, no comparison

Model Shop poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow UK Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow UK Blu-ray or Twilight Time US Blu-ray but OOP, no comparison

More from Criterion

See more →
This Is Spinal Tap poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1998 Criterion DVD Stereo

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1998 Criterion DVD Stereo

In the Heat of the Night poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

2019 BFI Blu-ray is the older master but better encode + extra footage than Criterion Blu-ray

Italy CG Entertainment Blu-ray is 4K resto, but horrible colours.

Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Wicked Vision 4K Blu-ray see caps

Additional Info:

2019 BFI Blu-ray is the older master but better encode + extra footage than Criterion Blu-ray

Italy CG Entertainment Blu-ray is 4K resto, but horrible colours.

Fallen Angels poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2010 US Kino Lorber or 2012 UK Artificial Eye

Best Video:

2017 JP Kadokawa Blu-ray has the best encoding out of all the older discs.


Kino Lorber and Artificial Eye Blu-ray use the same master, between the two the PQ on Kino's release is slightly better, but the difference is negligible.

The 4K restoration (Criterion, 4K etc) are cropped to 2.35:1, have revisionistic colour grading and other changes.

Caps: old master, old master vs 4K restoration

Fallen Angels poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2010 US Kino Lorber or 2012 UK Artificial Eye

Best Video:

2017 JP Kadokawa Blu-ray has the best encoding out of all the older discs.


Kino Lorber and Artificial Eye Blu-ray use the same master, between the two the PQ on Kino's release is slightly better, but the difference is negligible.

The 4K restoration (Criterion, 4K etc) are cropped to 2.35:1, have revisionistic colour grading and other changes.

Caps: old master, old master vs 4K restoration

The Elephant Man poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is SDR
StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray is HDR

The DV/HDR grade is tasteful and not overdone. SC has better compression, though not flawless; encoded by FiM, but Criterion also holds up quite well. Both releases claim to be approved by Lynch.

SC has a missing fade that Criterion reinstated.

Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo mix: 2001 R1 Paramount US NTSC DVD/2008 R2 Optimum UK PAL or 1999 Pioneer JP LaserDisc

Restored stereo mix: Criterion / StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

The film was originally mixed in Dolby Stereo (matrixed LCRS). For the 4K restoration, this mix has been transferred from the original magnetic elements and remastered with Lynch's supervision. Unfortunately, the fidelity suffered in the process, with many sections ending up significantly less detailed due to a noise reduction pass. This track has been altered compared to the original, with reverb added to some dialogue, different ambient sound effects, changed panning, and extended bass.

For the unrestored mix, there are two major options, each with its own merits and flaws. The 2001 Paramount DVD, which I would say is the best well-rounded mastering, and the 1999 Japanese LaserDisc, which has noticeably better clarity and high-end detail, as well as better dynamics, but suffers from occasional distortion and has less bass than the DVD.

The LD also has some ambiance buried too low in the mix, and some dialogue panned more to the centre than the DVD. There are no content changes I was able to find. Unfortunately, I don't know what accounts for those differences.

The other available tracks all have more significant flaws. The Italian and Japanese BDs use the same base mastering as the DVD, but with some patching in a few shots. HD-DVD is sourced from an inferior transfer, the same as the Momentum DVD.

The 5.1 remix, originally introduced on the 2002 DVD, and carried over without changes to the 2009 BD is a light and mostly faithful remix, with fairly minimal LFE and surround use, but still potentially worthwhile as the only discrete track.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray is SDR
StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray is HDR

The DV/HDR grade is tasteful and not overdone. SC has better compression, though not flawless; encoded by FiM, but Criterion also holds up quite well. Both releases claim to be approved by Lynch.

SC has a missing fade that Criterion reinstated.

Best Audio:

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo mix: 2001 R1 Paramount US NTSC DVD/2008 R2 Optimum UK PAL or 1999 Pioneer JP LaserDisc

Restored stereo mix: Criterion / StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

The film was originally mixed in Dolby Stereo (matrixed LCRS). For the 4K restoration, this mix has been transferred from the original magnetic elements and remastered with Lynch's supervision. Unfortunately, the fidelity suffered in the process, with many sections ending up significantly less detailed due to a noise reduction pass. This track has been altered compared to the original, with reverb added to some dialogue, different ambient sound effects, changed panning, and extended bass.

For the unrestored mix, there are two major options, each with its own merits and flaws. The 2001 Paramount DVD, which I would say is the best well-rounded mastering, and the 1999 Japanese LaserDisc, which has noticeably better clarity and high-end detail, as well as better dynamics, but suffers from occasional distortion and has less bass than the DVD.

The LD also has some ambiance buried too low in the mix, and some dialogue panned more to the centre than the DVD. There are no content changes I was able to find. Unfortunately, I don't know what accounts for those differences.

The other available tracks all have more significant flaws. The Italian and Japanese BDs use the same base mastering as the DVD, but with some patching in a few shots. HD-DVD is sourced from an inferior transfer, the same as the Momentum DVD.

The 5.1 remix, originally introduced on the 2002 DVD, and carried over without changes to the 2009 BD is a light and mostly faithful remix, with fairly minimal LFE and surround use, but still potentially worthwhile as the only discrete track.

Infernal Affairs II poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion US Blu-ray or Umbrella Australia 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Maybe Umbrella Australia 4K Blu-ray (FiM encode), Plaion Germany 4K Blu-ray, or Pony Canyon Japan 4K Blu-ray. All other existing 4K Blu-rays have terrible compression: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=21423337&postcount=173

The master is heavily DNR'd.

Best Audio:

Original 5.1 from Jokers France 4K Blu-ray or Criterion US Blu-ray or older Blu-rays

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion US Blu-ray or Umbrella Australia 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Maybe Umbrella Australia 4K Blu-ray (FiM encode), Plaion Germany 4K Blu-ray, or Pony Canyon Japan 4K Blu-ray. All other existing 4K Blu-rays have terrible compression: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=21423337&postcount=173

The master is heavily DNR'd.

Best Audio:

Original 5.1 from Jokers France 4K Blu-ray or Criterion US Blu-ray or older Blu-rays

2046 poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion US Blu-ray

Best Video:

4K restoration: Koch Media DE 4K Blu-ray
Original digital master: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD

4K remaster is cropped 2.35:1 from the original 2.55:1 presentation, and has significantly different color grading, as is the case with most WKW supervised restorations. Due to DNR the detail is sometimes lacklustre compared to the old master. CGI scenes appear to be rerendered. A sepia tinted scene was altered to be fully black and white.

Caps: Criterion US BD vs Cannes HD-DVD, HD-DVD vs KR BD vs DVDs vs US BD

Best Audio:

Remixed 5.1: The Jokers FR 4K Blu-ray
Original 5.1: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD

The remixed track has different front panning and little LFE use compared to the original.

HD-DVD is by far the best option for the original track, as DVDs and Korean BD suffer from noise gating, limiting and duplicated surrounds. Remixed tracks are all similar, but French disc has slightly better dynamics, particularly on the LFE channel.

Additional Info:

The 2006 HD-DVD is a promotional release made in only 100 copies, handed out to VIPs at Cannes Film Festival. See this blog post for details. The same master can be found on KR BD, though it suffers from interlacing, blended frames and a gamma bug, as well as older DVD releases.

2046 poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion US Blu-ray

Best Video:

4K restoration: Koch Media DE 4K Blu-ray
Original digital master: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD

4K remaster is cropped 2.35:1 from the original 2.55:1 presentation, and has significantly different color grading, as is the case with most WKW supervised restorations. Due to DNR the detail is sometimes lacklustre compared to the old master. CGI scenes appear to be rerendered. A sepia tinted scene was altered to be fully black and white.

Caps: Criterion US BD vs Cannes HD-DVD, HD-DVD vs KR BD vs DVDs vs US BD

Best Audio:

Remixed 5.1: The Jokers FR 4K Blu-ray
Original 5.1: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD

The remixed track has different front panning and little LFE use compared to the original.

HD-DVD is by far the best option for the original track, as DVDs and Korean BD suffer from noise gating, limiting and duplicated surrounds. Remixed tracks are all similar, but French disc has slightly better dynamics, particularly on the LFE channel.

Additional Info:

The 2006 HD-DVD is a promotional release made in only 100 copies, handed out to VIPs at Cannes Film Festival. See this blog post for details. The same master can be found on KR BD, though it suffers from interlacing, blended frames and a gamma bug, as well as older DVD releases.

Double Indemnity poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MCA LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

1991 MCA LaserDisc

Hud poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Hud poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Ashes and Diamonds poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2021 Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

2021 Criterion Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

2021 Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

2021 Criterion Blu-ray

More Romance on Blu-ray

Secretary poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Video:

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

US LionsgateFrance Metropolitan, and Germany Blu-ray have a 7.1 track, Australia Imprint has stereo only.

Secretary poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Video:

France Metropolitan or Australia Imprint Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

US LionsgateFrance Metropolitan, and Germany Blu-ray have a 7.1 track, Australia Imprint has stereo only.

The American President poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Warner Bros Blu-ray

For Love or Money 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

Houseboat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 6K master from Paramount

Houseboat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 6K master from Paramount

The Farmer's Daughter poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 2K restoration

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 2K restoration

The Great Gatsby poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray is a newer 4K restoration than Imprint Blu-ray and significantly better see caps

No information on French Elephant Films Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray is a newer 4K restoration than Imprint Blu-ray and significantly better see caps

No information on French Elephant Films Blu-ray

The Sun Also Rises poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK Signal One Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK Signal One Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

UK Signal One Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK Signal One Blu-ray

For Whom the Bell Tolls poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Probably Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Probably Kino Lorber Blu-ray

While no comparison is available, this is indeed a new 4K restoration. However it has its problem like not scanned from best surviving prints due to some issues, or technicolor out of alignment but seems to be still better than older releases

Best English-Friendly:

Probably Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Probably Kino Lorber Blu-ray

While no comparison is available, this is indeed a new 4K restoration. However it has its problem like not scanned from best surviving prints due to some issues, or technicolor out of alignment but seems to be still better than older releases

Dear Ruth poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 4K restoration from 35mm Original Camera Negative

Dear Ruth poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 4K restoration from 35mm Original Camera Negative

Manon 70 poster
1080p Blu-ray
Upcoming Release:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Manon 70 poster
1080p Blu-ray
Upcoming Release:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Edit History

1 edit
Bay of Angels (1963) backdrop

Made with ❤️ 📀 by vanshady