Given the recent revival of this thread and all the speculation about availability, I'm delighted to be able to leak the news that the BFI is working on a Dual Format release of Bertolucci's second feature, which will be out later this year.

It will be sourced from the same digital master that fuelled this newly-edited trailer and the current theatrical revival.

More details when I get them.

Before the Revolution

A film by Bernardo Bertolucci

A rarely seen early work from one of world cinema s most acclaimed directors, Bernardo Bertolucci s beautiful and unique Before the Revolution - made when he was just 22 captures the passions and ideology of the 1960s. Young, idealistic and bourgeois, Fabrizio struggles to come to terms with these contradictions and master a transgressive love for his aunt

Part autobiography, part literary adaptation, part homage to the French new-wave and Italian neo-realists that inspired him, Bertolucci s virtuosic second film is an atmospheric, ambiguous portrait of idealistic youth.

Extra Features:

- Dual Format Edition: includes both the Blu-ray and the DVD of the film and the extras.
- Original theatrical trailer
- Today s Cinema (1963, 4 mins, DVD only): interview with the young Bernardo Bertolucci on the set of Before the Revolution
- Self-portrait (Giuseppe Bertolucci, 2003, 46 mins, DVD only): interview with Bernardo Bertolucci about making Before the Revolution
- The Workshop of the Young Masters (Giuseppe Bertolucci, 2003, 26 mins, DVD only): interviews with editor Roberto Perpignani, cinematorgrapher Vittorio Storaro and composer Ennio Morricone
- Variations by the author (Giuseppe Bertolucci, 2003, 31 mins, DVD only): comparisons between the working and final copy of Before the Revolution
- Interview with Bernardo Bertolucci (2011, 6 mins, DVD only)

I recall it being rather "tame" for Bertolucci

Absolutely not - it's one of his very best films. In fact, I don't think he ever improved on the Conformist/Spider's Stratagem two-header.

It's certainly less flamboyant than most of his other films, and it works better on the big screen (perversely, despite being made for television, he deliberately went overboard with medium and long shots because he hated the TV convention of close-ups), but it's certainly one of my favourites. Not to mention one of the most effective Borges adaptations.

Before the Revolution
A film by Bernardo Bertolucci
Starring Francesco Barilli, Adriana Asti
2-disc set

After its recent revival in cinemas, the BFI now releases Bernardo Bertolucci’s newly restored early film Before the Revolution in a Dual Format Edition (DVD & Blu-ray discs together) with a selection of revealing special features.

A rarely-seen early work from one of World Cinema’s most acclaimed directors, Bernardo Bertolucci’s beautifully operatic film Before the Revolution – made when he was just 22 – celebrates the passions and ideology of the 1960s.

Part autobiography, part homage to the French new-wave and Italian neo-realists that inspired him, Bertolucci’s second film is an atmospheric, ambiguous portrait of idealistic youth, which won the Cannes Critics’ Week Prize in 1964.

While young Fabrizio (Francesco Barilli) struggles with his commitment to the Communist Party his emotional life grows ever more complex. Breaking away from his planned marriage to Clelia (Cristina Pariset), a perfect bourgeoise, he embarks on an affair with his neurotic aunt Gina (Adriana Asti), who is visiting from Milan. With extraordinary skill and honesty Bertolucci explores the emotional and political conflicts of Fabrizio, his alter-ego.

Special features

• Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition (DVD & Blu-ray)
• Original theatrical trailer;
• On-set footage (1963, 4 mins, DVD only): extract from Italian TV series Cinema d’oggi featuring an interview with the young Bertolucci;
• Interview with Bernardo Bertolucci (Giuseppe Bertolucci, 2003, 46 mins, DVD only): the director discusses Before the Revolution;
• Interviews with Roberto Perpignani, Vittorio Storaro and Ennio Morricone (Giuseppe Bertolucci, 2003, 26 mins, DVD only);
• Working Copy (Giuseppe Bertolucci, 2003, 31 mins, DVD only): comparisons between the working and final versions of the film;
• Bernardo Bertolucci in conversation with David Thompson (2011, 12 mins, DVD only): Q&A recorded at BFI Southbank;
• 22-page illustrated booklet with notes and essays.

Release date: 22 August 2011
RRP: £22.99 / cat. no. BFIB1099 / Cert 12
Italy / 1964 / black and white, and colour / Italian language with optional English subtitles / 112 mins / Original aspect ratio 1.85:1 / Region B
Disc 1: BD25 / 1080p / 24fps / PCM mono audio (48k/24bit)
Disc 2: DVD9 / PAL / Dolby Digital 320kbps

Looks awesome. I just wish the supplements weren't only on the DVD, even if they'll only be SD. I just know there's last chance of me going back and watching them if I have to change disk.

Looks awesome. I just wish the supplements weren't only on the DVD, even if they'll only be SD. I just know there's less chance of me going back and watching them if I have to change disk.

My Blu-ray screener has arrived with a note saying that the DVD will follow when it's ready.



But presumably this also applies to the RHV DVD of Before the Revolution, since most or all of the supplements were on the second disc?

The cynic in me though wonders if one of the reasons it is done is so someone who only wants the Blu-ray wouldn't give/sell the DVD away thus losing a potential sale.

[As for your theory... well, if it was planned intentionally, surely every Dual Format release would have some unique content on the DVD? Whereas in practice the Blu-rays and DVDs are often identical, aside from picture resolution.

What's the reasoning behind the extras only being on the DVD here then?

My Blu-ray screener has arrived with a note saying that the DVD will follow when it's ready.

Looks awesome. I just wish the supplements weren't only on the DVD, even if they'll only be SD. I just know there's less chance of me going back and watching them if I have to change disk.

Yes, especially the Q&A shot in 2011 (surely that was in HD to begin with!)

if I didn't know better I'd say it was cost-cutting at the authoring stage, but even so, the BFI are getting VERY PAL-happy with the extra content on their releases.