The two Resnais documentaries included here are Toute le memoire du monde (1956), a film about the French national library, and Le chant du styrene (1958), a film about the manufacturing of various products. These documentaries have not been restored with the same care as the feature; scratches and dirt are frequently on the film. Watching them you can see Resnais' style: there is an emphasis on architecture more than people, the narration is more poetic than informative, and the objects are often made into abstract images. These documentaries are more interesting for Resnais' stylish presentation of them than any educational value to be obtained. The stylistic touches has the opposite effect, making the information given seem incomplete.
Also included are two trailers for the film - the original theatrical and rerelease trailer.
The overall package is quite impressive.
Conclusion
The Last Year at Marienbad Blu-ray will be released on June 23 for the suggested retail price of $39.95.
This is a must-have for fans of Resnais or the French New Wave. If you have a Blu-ray player, I would strongly recommend getting the Blu-ray disc instead of the DVD. Viewers more comfortable with straight narratives may find this film off-putting at first, but I would encourage them to try it. It is easier to digest than some other surrealist films and has some interesting things to say about love and life.
Article comments