Stars:
Bulle Ogier, Valerie Lagrange, Michael Gothard, Monique Giraudy, and Jean-Pierre
Kalfon
Writers:
Barbet Schroeder and Paul Gegauff
Director:
Barbet Schroeder
Feature
length: 105 minutes
Languages:
French Monaural Sound
Subtitles:
English Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 14
Sound:
Monaural Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1972/DVD Release: 2003
Home
Video Distributor: Home Vision Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Directed
by Barbet Schroeder with a musical score by Pink Floyd, “La Valle: The Valle
(Obscured By Clouds)” is a hypnotic meditation on the pitfalls of primitive
paradises, the unconscious sexual yearnings of the woman character as manifested
through her journey, and the nobility of the so called “Savage” man. In the
rainforests of New Guinea, a restless diplomat’s wife goes in search of a rare
bird’s priceless feathers. In the process she meets up with a group of hippies
seeking spiritual and sexual enlightenment. Together they are transformed when
they encounter the indigenous Mapuga tribesman and the secret “valley of the
gods.”
Home
Vision Entertainment presents “La
Valle: The Valley (Obscured By Clouds)” in a new digital anamorphic widescreen
(2.35:1) transfer with a two-channel French Monaural Soundtrack and optional
English Language Subtitles. Barbet Schroeder approved the transfer, but
approximately 15 minutes into the film, there is a noticeable tear in the
film’s footage and a frame roll, which could not be corrected without causing
a major sound synchronization problem. This imperfection is inherent in the
original materials and is not a defect of the DVD. The picture quality itself is
quite vibrant with no color bleeding and only a fine grain. The two-channel
French Monaural Soundtrack is clear, but feels a little lower in range than one
might expect. There is also an essay by Author Andrei Codrescu within the insert
inside the DVD keep case. The menus are well rendered and easy to navigate.
“La Valle: The Valley (Obscured By Clouds)” will debut on DVD-Video on
Tuesday, February 11, 2003 from Home Vision Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.