Review: Marie-Antoinette DVD

Marie-Antoinette (2006) premiered in France (and other European countries) in May 2006. It premiered in other markets (Asia, Latin America and rest of Europe) throughout the year. As of a month ago, the movie was still being shown in many markets in Europe (and other continents). It premiered in the United States (even though it was awaited for a long time) in October 2006. The movie (sadly) fizzled out less than a month in major theaters and didn't last that much longer in art house theaters. A February 13th, 2007 DVD release date was made and fans had to wait until that date to get their hands on the DVD. However in France (and other countries) the DVD release will be in March 2007. After eight to ten months of being out in theatres in other markets a DVD release in March 2007 seems to be a good time for it to come out. For it to come out in the US less than five months (and only after being in major theatres for less than a month) after it premiered I knew it was a bad sign. I hoped that Sony Pictures would do fans a good service and offer many extras and even a collector's item. They released the DVD to recoup their investment, but they didn't care to spend much more in added extras, not even a commentary. This release is very bleak in comparison to the European releases.

The European market is getting three versions. They are getting a normal DVD release with some extras and perhaps commentary, they are getting a collector's item with a booklet and extras and they are also getting a delicious gift set with not only the DVD (with extras) and booklet but also other goodies including a fan. The covers for each version are wonderful pictures and the coloring is pink which is very appropriate. The US release cover has a very nice photo of Kirsten Dunst, but the coloring for some reason feels off to me. The DVD is in a very cheap looking jacket, no booklet, no menu guide; just the DVD on the inside. It has the usual accouterments of all DVDs, languages (English and French spoken language and captions), Dolby digital and blah. The "special features" include three paltry deleted scenes (I am sure that this movie should have yielded much more), making of featurette (good but not extensive) and a cute "Cribs" like feature with Louis XVI (aka Jason Schwartzman). It was funny, but there was so much to work with after all they filmed in Versailles. So in comparison the US release is weak and disappointing. It was just a ploy to generate some cash, without actually having to spend money in providing with the extras and goodies that the European public will be able to savor.

Overall the movie is fantastic and you can read my review on the movie and its soundtrack on previous essays. My disappointment over this release (although expected) is only bypassed slightly by the fact that I get to watch the movie as many times as I want. The price for it though wasn't worth it when it came to the extras. I would have been happy to pay extra had they had released the gift set for Zone 1. If you have a Zone 2 DVD player or an all Zone DVD player, it is worth it to buy the gift set or at least the collector's edition. If you are looking for marvelous goodies in the US version you won't find them. If you are just a fan that wants to see the movie whenever you want and you don't care about the extras then this version is for you.