Mon Oncle/Jour De Fete(Jacques Tati)

[Akijama]

Excellent news coming from BFI.Two Tati's are coming on October 22nd!

The BFI's acclaimed Jacques Tati remaster series continues with the world premiere High Definition release of Tati's multi-award-winning third feature, Mon Oncle, in two different versions. This 1958 box-office hit confirmed his reputation as the foremost comic artist of his day and picked up a string of awards, including the 1959 Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Tati's second outing as the accident-prone Monsieur Hulot takes him to Paris where the high-tech lifestyle of his relatives, the Arpels, is contrasted with his old-fashioned ways in a scruffy part of town.

With an eye on the international market, and wishing to avoid subtitles (which he always disliked), Tati shot two versions of the film - Mon Oncle and My Uncle, the latter replacing French signs such as 'Ecole' and 'Sortie' with their English equivalents and dubbing much of the main dialogue into English. This specially remastered edition contains both versions.

The BFI's celebrated Jacques Tati remaster series continues with the world premiere High Definition release of the great director's much-loved debut, Jour de fête, in not one, but two different versions. This award-winning comic masterpiece introduced audiences to Tati's dazzling blend of satire and slapstick, and has won the hearts of audiences the world over.

Tati plays an appealingly inept postman who is intent on modernising the postal system in the depths of rural France. Tati's antics throughout are endlessly inventive, and the film also serves as an affectionate, gently mocking tribute to a vanishing way of life.

This specially remastered edition features the original 1949 'Thomson color' version, shown to audiences for the first time in 1995, as well as Tati's 1964 re-edit of the original 1949 black and white version, complete with specially created hand coloured detail and the addition of an entirely new character - the English-speaking painter.

[manicsounds]

Was getting worried that BFI Tati discs were going out of print since Studio Canal grabbed all the rights. This is good news then.

[Judex]

hmm I thought studio Canal had the rights for these now?

Anyway they'll be ordered.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Just bought Mon Oncle on DVD.

[Blu Titan]

Day one purchase without a doubt. Can't wait .

[Melodious Thunk]

I'm very excited about these, especially Mon Oncle. Definite day one purchases.

[Albatross365]

I've never got into his other work. Just Mr. Hulot's Holiday.

My folks have the DVDs so I'll probably give those another look before deciding on whether to dip into my wallet.

[nightcrawler]

I only recently saw Mr Hulot's holiday for the first time. Thought it was good, if a little overrated, but it may get better with repeat viewings. I also have Playtime but haven't watched it yet. So basically I am undecided about getting these 2 new releases from bfi, but good on them for releasing them anyway.

[Ozu Teapot]

Such good news! I'm really pleased about this!

Like others here I was concerned that Studio Canal nabbing the distribution rights to the Tatis would mean no more from the BFI, but I guess they're getting these out just before its too late.

Of course I could just have got the Studio Canal editions whenever they appear but I was very pleased with the two previous BFI Tati releases and expect these will be of the same high standard (plus the BFI spines will mean my shelves stay as neat as possible!)

[EddieLarkin]

Really can't see StudioCanal putting these out very soon after the BFI release. Sales would surely be pretty poor. They'll probably limit them to European mainland countries for a while, if at all.

[Philly Q]

I didn't know anything about StudioCanal acquiring the rightss, does that include Trafic?

Anyway, I shall buy these BFIs, and the StudioCanal editions if/when they surface. And any other versions which appear!

[Yami]

StudioCanal recently acquired the Tati catalog. Michael Brooke said on criterionforum that this may be the reason why many of the BFI's titles have been delayed - so they can concentrate on getting the Tati's out so they have a longer period from which they can profit from before their contract expires.

[anthonyjhc]

Exciting news! I've pre-ordered both.
'Mon Oncle' is my favourite Tati movie, or at least up there with 'Hulot'.
And I'm pleased to see that the original-release black-and-white version of 'Jour de Fete' is on the Blu ray disc alongside the restored Thomson Colour version. The colour movie is very appealing with its delicate, faded washes, but because of the editing process and scenes chosen for addition or deletion, I still prefer the old B & W version.. my French DVD with the colour version does of course lack subtitles, but you hardly need subtitles for Tati ... nor do you really need English versions of the movies, which he prepared for Mon Oncle and Hulot's Holiday.
I saw Mon Oncle here in Melbourne Australia on its first cinema release many years ago, and then at Southbank during a BFI season when I was a BFI member for several years in London .. I guess that probably means I saw it first in the 'English' version, and then perhaps the French version at the BFI, and French again on the Criterion DVD. Bloody good movie whichever version!
This should be quite a Blu ray projection cinema weekend when this Amazon.co.uk parcel arrives. Not just Tati, but also the Blu ray of two other favourite French movies, the Pagnol memoirs La Gloire de Mon Père & Le Château de Ma Mère. Absolute francophile bliss.......
Anthony in Woodend, Vic, Australia

[Philly Q]

I've just had an email from Amazon saying both have been delayed a week to 29 October. Not a big deal.

[Albatross365]

Originally Posted by Albatross365

I've never got into his other work. Just Mr. Hulot's Holiday.

My folks have the DVDs so I'll probably give those another look before deciding on whether to dip into my wallet.

Just ordered these. Bought Playtime the other day. Great film

[Douglas R]

HMV have already mailed MON ONCLE to me.

[Opdef]

Spotted these in the shop at BFI Southbank at the weekend if anyone in that corner of the world is after one early...

[MacEachaidh]

So they have been released?

My Amazon order keeps being delayed without notification. I've been told by Amazon there is no word on when they might be available. Maybe there's some kind of supply issue?

[Philly Q]

Amazon.co.uk are showing release dates of 29 October, so are Play.com - we're not there yet!

[Albatross365]

Originally Posted by Opdef

Spotted these in the shop at BFI Southbank at the weekend if anyone in that corner of the world is after one early...

I was up there at lunchtime. Would have popped in if I'd known.