Jour de fête (1949) (Blu-ray + DVD)

Jacques Tati's award-winning feature début - a dazzling blend of satire and slapstick is early evidence of his unique talent. Acclaimed by international critics as an innovative comic masterpiece,Jour de fête is an hilarious exposé of the modern obsession with speed and efficiency, set amidst the rural surroundings of a tiny French village. Tati plays an appealingly self-deluded buffoon a postman who, impressed by the bristling efficiency of the American postal system, makes a wholly misguided attempt to introduce modern methods in the depths of rural France. Initially released in black and white, but also shot in Thomsoncolor, an untested colour process, the film has been restored and is finally available in its original delicate colour.

Special Features

• Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition.
• Jour de fête (1964 version).
• Soigne ton gauche (René Clément, 1936, 12 mins, DVD only): Tati stars as a farmhand in this boxing comedy.
• L ecole des facteurs (Jacques Tati, 1947, 13 mins, DVD only): The first short directed by Tati which was later expanded to become Jour de fête.
• Cours de soir (Nicholas Ribowski, 1967, 27 mins, DVD only): Tati stars as a teacher of mine in an evening class.
• Jour de fête trailer (DVD only)
• Fully illustrated booklet with film notes and credits.

Disc 1: BD50 / 1080p / 24fps / PCM audio TBC

Disc 2: DVD9 / PAL /Dolby Digital audio TBC

France / 1949 / colour / French with English subtitles / ratio 1.33:1