Criterion’s release of “Anatomy of a Fall” includes both a Blu-ray edition (retail priced at $39.95) and a DVD (retail priced at $29.95). Both editions are available for pre-order on Criterion’s website and are set for release on May 28, 2024. The cover art, pictured below, is a headshot of Hüller but the text echoes the color design of the film’s theatrical poster; snow white with light stains of red blood.
Criterion’s releases are famous for their special features, both physical and digital, and “Anatomy of a Fall” will be no exception. These include:
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A new interview with Justine Triet
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Deleted and alternate scenes with commentary by Triet
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Audition footage of Machado-Graner and Antoine Reinartz (who plays the unnamed prosecutor at Sandra’s trial)
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Rehearsal footage of Hüller and Machado-Graner
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The “Anatomy of a Fall” trailer
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An essay by critic Alexandra Schwartz.
The film is rendered in a 2K digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack and English subtitles — a necessity if you don’t speak French. Even so, the dialogue of “Anatomy of a Fall” will enthrall you no matter what language it’s spoken in. The film refuses to give concrete answers — we so rarely know the whole truth of someone’s life outside our own, after all. In doing so, it puts you in the shoes of a juror; you have to decide what you think of Sandra yourself from limited information. It helps that Hüller slips into so many different sides of her character: proud artist, aggrieved wife, concerned mother, grieving victim. Even if you’re paying close attention, you have to make up your own mind.
The only conclusion I’m sure you will draw? “Anatomy of a Fall” is a worthy entry to the Criterion Collection.