WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Manon Of The Spring/Jean De Florette
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 20 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Yves Montand, Gerard Depardieu, Elisabeth Depardieu, Emmanuelle Beart.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 2.5
Sound Rating: 4
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Orion Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID3076OR
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $99..99
(Running Time In Minutes): 235
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1987
(LD Release Date): 3/1/96
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Claude Berri
(Screenplay/Written By): Helene Sebillotte
(Story): NA
(Music): Jean-Claude Petit
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Bernard Vezat
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Genevieve Louveau & Herve De Luze
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Pierre Grunstein
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Claude Berri

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.38:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Manon Of The Spring picks-up the story ten years later as the beautiful daughter of Jean, Manon (Emmanuelle Beart), is now a shepherdess, roaming the rugged Provencal hills. César encourages Ugolin to pursue her, so the Souberyan family name can continue. But Manon is repulsed by the hapless man’s pursuit, and soon discovers that he and his uncle blocked the hidden spring on her father’s farm. After cutting off the village’s water supply, Manon appears in town to accuse the Soubeyrans of killing her father. Despite his pathetic remorse over his role in her father’s death, Ugolin is publicly rejected by Manon. This leads to a tragedy that nearly destroys César. But the old man’s most heartbreaking moment comes when he finally learns the shattering truth about Jean, the son of Florette. In a double feature with Jean De Florette.

LaserDisc Picture:
Both films are framed at 2.38:1, and both have similar imaging characteristics. Color is generally subdued in outdoor scenes, and at times images appear to be out-of-focus, although sharpness and detail is improved in the sequel. Slight noise, excessive in the dark scenes, is evident, but ho artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack has an exquisitely beautiful orchestral score that is mixed aggressively for surround envelopment. Stereo ambiant effects, and natural dialogue with good spatial character are also supported.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: