Brief Encounter (Criterion Collection) (US Version) DVD Region 1

Though he might be best remembered for sweeping epics such as DOCTOR ZHIVAGO and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, renowned British director David Lean began his film career with small-scale character studies based on the plays of Noel Coward. Lean's fourth film, BRIEF ENCOUNTER--which was also his fourth and final collaboration with Coward--adapts the playwright's heartbreaking tale of two ordinary people caught up in the extraordinary power of love. Laura (Celia Johnson) is a seemingly happy, middle-class housewife who meets the equally married physician Alec (a young Trevor Howard in only his third screen role) when he removes a speck of dust from her eye at a London railway station. The pair soon find themselves drawn together through weekly meetings at the station cafe, their casual encounters blooming into a chaste love affair marked by intimate conversation, longing glances--and the tragic realization that neither of them will be able to break the bonds of social propriety that keep them wedded to other people. Seen by some as quintessentially English, Lean's achingly lovely exploration of the conflicting demands of personal happiness and social responsibility remains nonetheless universal and timeless. Johnson and Howard's nuanced performances, Robert Krasker's shadowy cinematography, and a soundtrack of hauntingly romantic Rachmaninov piano concertos only add to the film's aura of quiet desperation.

"...The most memorable treatment of extramarital romance in movie history..." -- Rating: A- - Steve, Simels (Entertainment Weekly Critic/Premiere Critic), Entertainment Weekly, 07/14/1995

"...This 1946 romantic drama still packs an emotional punch. David Lean's direction is assured, the script is poignant, and the performances are superb..." - Jonathan, Wright (Total Film Critic), Total Film, 05/01/2000

"...[An] expert adaptation....[With] elegant cinematography..." - Danny, Leigh (Film Critic), Sight and Sound, 06/01/2001

5 stars out of 5 -- "Lean's direction and Noel Coward's expertly crafted script are letter-perfect..." - Helen, O'Hara (Empire Critic), Empire, 09/01/2007

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Product Title:	Brief Encounter (Criterion Collection) (US Version) Brief Encounter (Criterion Collection) (US Version) Brief Encounter (Criterion Collection) (US Version) Brief Encounter (Criterion Collection) (US Version) Brief Encounter (Criterion Collection) (US Version)
Artist Name(s):	Trevor Howard (Actor) | Stanley Holloway (Actor) | Celia Johnson (Actor) | Everley Gregg (Actor) | Joyce Carey (Actor) | Cyril Raymond (Actor) | Noel Coward 杜華侯活 (Actor) | Stanley Holloway (Actor) | Celia Johnson (Actor) | Everley Gregg (Actor) | Joyce Carey (Actor) | Cyril Raymond (Actor) | Noel Coward Trevor Howard (Actor) | Stanley Holloway (Actor) | Celia Johnson (Actor) | Everley Gregg (Actor) | Joyce Carey (Actor) | Cyril Raymond (Actor) | Noel Coward Ｔｒｅｖｏｒ Ｈｏｗａｒｄ (Actor) | Ｓｔａｎｌｅｙ Ｈｏｌｌｏｗａｙ (Actor) | Celia Johnson (Actor) | Everley Gregg (Actor) | Joyce Carey (Actor) | Cyril Raymond (Actor) | Ｎｏｅｌ Ｃｏｗａｒｄ Trevor Howard (Actor) | Stanley Holloway (Actor) | Celia Johnson (Actor) | Everley Gregg (Actor) | Joyce Carey (Actor) | Cyril Raymond (Actor) | Noel Coward
Director:	David Lean David Lean David Lean David Lean David Lean
Producer:	Ronald Neame | Noel Coward Ronald Neame | Noel Coward Ronald Neame | Noel Coward Ｒｏｎａｌｄ Ｎｅａｍｅ | Ｎｏｅｌ Ｃｏｗａｒｄ Ronald Neame | Noel Coward
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Release Date:	2000-05-16
Language:	English
Subtitles:	English
Country of Origin:	United Kingdom
Picture Format:	NTSC What is it?
Color Information:	Black & White
Disc Format(s):	DVD
Region Code:	1 - USA, Canada, U.S. Territories What is it?
Rating:	Not Rated
Publisher:	Criterion Collection
Package Weight:	131 (g)
Shipment Unit:	1 What is it?
YesAsia Catalog No.:	1004377150

Director: David Lean

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame -1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono - English
Dolby Digital Mono - Italian
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Bruce Eder - Film Historian
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus