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Plucking The Daisy
Other // Unrated // September 25, 2001
List Price: $29.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Although future roles with director Roger Vadim would have the starlet continue to show off her sexuality, "Plucking The Daisy" was really the first of Bridget Bardot's many similar efforts. Directed by Marc Allegret and written by Vadim, the picture stars Bardot as Agnes Dumont, a young woman who has written an erotic and scandalous book that's been sold "behind the counter", so to speak. After her famed father finds out that his daughter was involved with such a piece of literature, he sends her away, but of course, she escapes to find life elsewhere.
Again, it's rather interesting to see what was considered naughty in the 50's, which seems utterly tame in comparison to what most people see in daily entertainment these days. Bardot gained fame for her ability to flaunt her sexuality (this film was also known as Mam'selle Striptease, even), but aside from a beautiful figure, she also had a strong presence on-screen, as well.
"Plucking The Daisy" isn't particularly substancial, but at least it's certainly more fun than the later "Night Heaven Fell", which became a bit heavy for something that started off as a rather light comedy. "Daisy" is more of a charmer - although some of the comedic bits are predictable, the film is often pretty amusing. Thanks to Bardot and a fine supporting cast, it's a lively and entertaining film that thankfully never seems to take itself that seriously.
The DVD
VIDEO: One of the first of two releases (the other being Bardot's "Night Heaven Fell") from Home Vision Entertainment (otherwise known as the distributor of the majority of Criterion Collection titles), "Plucking The Daisy" is presented in the film's original 1.33:1 full_frame aspect ratio. Interestingly enough, in some ways this black and white transfer of the 1956 picture is somewhat more successful than the transfer for "Night Heaven Fell", which came a few years later. Sharpness and detail are pleasing and consistent, as the picture looked well-defined and sharp (occasionally suprisingly so for a film its age).
Problems did occasionally arise in the form of print flaws (a few stray marks,a couple of speckles and a scratch or two), but this film actually appeared cleaner than "Night Heaven Fell". Edge enhancement and pixelation were nowhere to be seen. Overall, this is a very enjoyable presentation - aside from a few minor blemishes, it looks great.
SOUND: The film's mono soundtrack presents nothing remarkable, nor does it really present any concerns. The music sounds fairly smooth, considering the picture's age and dialogue (although I still don't speak French, so I can't exactly understand it) came across clearly.
MENUS:: An enjoyable, but fairly basic main menu. Some light animation introduces the main menu, which also has music in the background.
EXTRAS:: Bardot filmography and trailers for "Night Heaven Fell", "Plucking the Daisy" and "...And God Created Woman".
Final Thoughts: "Plucking The Daisy" is a lighter and more enjoyable affair than "Night Heaven Fell", even if it's still rather insubstancial. Home Vision's DVD provides fairly strong audio/video quality, but nothing much in the way of supplements. Bardot fans should be pleased.
Although future roles with director Roger Vadim would have the starlet continue to show off her sexuality, "Plucking The Daisy" was really the first of Bridget Bardot's many similar efforts. Directed by Marc Allegret and written by Vadim, the picture stars Bardot as Agnes Dumont, a young woman who has written an erotic and scandalous book that's been sold "behind the counter", so to speak. After her famed father finds out that his daughter was involved with such a piece of literature, he sends her away, but of course, she escapes to find life elsewhere.
Again, it's rather interesting to see what was considered naughty in the 50's, which seems utterly tame in comparison to what most people see in daily entertainment these days. Bardot gained fame for her ability to flaunt her sexuality (this film was also known as Mam'selle Striptease, even), but aside from a beautiful figure, she also had a strong presence on-screen, as well.
"Plucking The Daisy" isn't particularly substancial, but at least it's certainly more fun than the later "Night Heaven Fell", which became a bit heavy for something that started off as a rather light comedy. "Daisy" is more of a charmer - although some of the comedic bits are predictable, the film is often pretty amusing. Thanks to Bardot and a fine supporting cast, it's a lively and entertaining film that thankfully never seems to take itself that seriously.
The DVD
VIDEO: One of the first of two releases (the other being Bardot's "Night Heaven Fell") from Home Vision Entertainment (otherwise known as the distributor of the majority of Criterion Collection titles), "Plucking The Daisy" is presented in the film's original 1.33:1 full_frame aspect ratio. Interestingly enough, in some ways this black and white transfer of the 1956 picture is somewhat more successful than the transfer for "Night Heaven Fell", which came a few years later. Sharpness and detail are pleasing and consistent, as the picture looked well-defined and sharp (occasionally suprisingly so for a film its age).
Problems did occasionally arise in the form of print flaws (a few stray marks,a couple of speckles and a scratch or two), but this film actually appeared cleaner than "Night Heaven Fell". Edge enhancement and pixelation were nowhere to be seen. Overall, this is a very enjoyable presentation - aside from a few minor blemishes, it looks great.
SOUND: The film's mono soundtrack presents nothing remarkable, nor does it really present any concerns. The music sounds fairly smooth, considering the picture's age and dialogue (although I still don't speak French, so I can't exactly understand it) came across clearly.
MENUS:: An enjoyable, but fairly basic main menu. Some light animation introduces the main menu, which also has music in the background.
EXTRAS:: Bardot filmography and trailers for "Night Heaven Fell", "Plucking the Daisy" and "...And God Created Woman".
Final Thoughts: "Plucking The Daisy" is a lighter and more enjoyable affair than "Night Heaven Fell", even if it's still rather insubstancial. Home Vision's DVD provides fairly strong audio/video quality, but nothing much in the way of supplements. Bardot fans should be pleased.
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