The Criterion Collection

Science Is Fiction: 23 Films by Jean Painlevé

Edition no. 468

Science Is Fiction: 23 Films by Jean Painlevé - The Criterion Collection 2009 DVD ( USA)
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  • Release Date: Tuesday, 21 April 2009
  • Country of Release: USA
  • MSRP: $39.95
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Hyas et stenorinques | Oursins | Comment naissent les méduses | Cristaux liquides | L'Hippocampe | Les amours de la pieuve | Histoires de crevettes | Acera ou le bal des sorcières' | Le Vampire | Assassins d'eau douce | Les Danseuses de mer | Diatomées | Les Pigeons du square | La Pieuvre | Les Oursins | La Daphine | L'œuf d'épinoche: de la fécondation à l'éclosion | Traitement expérimental d'une hémorragie chez le chien | La Quatriéme Dimension | Images mathématiques de la lutte pour la vie | Voyage dans le ciel | Similitudes des longueurs et des vitesses | Barbe-bleue
Licensor Information
Les Documents Cinematographiques
Directed by: Jean Painlevé
The mesmerizing, utterly unclassifiable science films of Jean Painlevé (1902-89) have to be seen to be believed: delightful, surrealist-influenced dream works that are also serious science. The French filmmaker-scientist-inventor had a decades-spanning career in which he created hundreds of short films on subjects ranging from astronomy to pigeons to, most famously, such marine-life marvels as the sea horse and the sea urchin. This definitive three-disc collection brings together the best of these, and also includes the French television series Jean Painlevé Through His Films, rock band Yo La Tengo’s eight-film score The Sounds of Science, and an essay by film scholar Scott MacDonald.
  • Year: 1925-1982
  • Time: 302 total min.

Details by Film

Release Information:

Technical Specifications

Format:
DVD
Discs:
DVD-9 (3 Discs)
Total: 3 Discs
Regions:
1 (DVD)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33:1
Audio Options:
French Dolby Digital Mono 1.0
Resolution:
480p/29.97
Subtitles:
English

Supplements

Types of Supplements Included: Alternate Score, Documentary, Booklet
  • The Sounds of Science, an original score by Yo La Tengo to Jean Painlevé's films, plus an interview with the band
  • More than two hours of interviews with the filmmaker, drawn from the eight-part television series Jean Painlevé Through His Films, directed by Denis Derrien and Hélène Hazera
  • A booklet featuring a new essay by film scholar Scott MacDonald

Forum Member Statistics

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Hyas et stenorinques
7.0000/10
Oursins
7.0000/10
Comment naissent les méduses
7.0000/10
Cristaux liquides
7.0000/10
L'Hippocampe
7.0000/10
Les amours de la pieuve
7.0000/10
Histoires de crevettes
7.0000/10
Acera ou le bal des sorcières'
7.0000/10
Le Vampire
7.0000/10
Assassins d'eau douce
7.0000/10
Les Danseuses de mer
7.0000/10
Diatomées
7.0000/10
Les Pigeons du square
7.0000/10
La Pieuvre
7.0000/10
Les Oursins
7.0000/10
La Daphine
7.0000/10
L'œuf d'épinoche: de la fécondation à l'éclosion
7.0000/10
Traitement expérimental d'une hémorragie chez le chien
7.0000/10
La Quatriéme Dimension
7.0000/10
Images mathématiques de la lutte pour la vie
7.0000/10
Voyage dans le ciel
7.0000/10
Similitudes des longueurs et des vitesses
7.0000/10
Barbe-bleue
7.0000/10
Picture
8.5000/10
Audio
8.0000/10
Supplements
10.0000/10
Artwork
9.6000/10

Release Credits

Producer: Kate Elmore
Artwork: Ben Wiseman

Release Notes on Restoration

Hyas et stenorinques
All films are presented in their original aspect ratios of 1.33:1. On widescreen televisions, black bars will appear on the left and the right of the image to maintain the proper screen format. The pictures have been slightly windowboxed to ensure the maximum image is visible on all monitors.