SYNOPSIS: One of the masterworks of 1960s cinema, La notte [ The Night ] marked yet another development in the continuous stylistic evolution of its director, Michelangelo Antonioni - even as it solidified his reputation as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. La notte is Antonioni s " Twilight of the Gods ", but composed in cinematic terms. Examined from a crane - shot, it s a sprawling study of Italy s upper middle - class; seen in close - up, it s an x - ray of modern man s psychic desolation. Two of the giants of film - acting come together as a married couple living in crisis: Marcello Mastroianni ( La dolce vita, 8 - ½) and Jeanne Moreau ( Jules et Jim, Bay of Angels). He is a renowned author and " public intellectual "; she is " the wife ". Over the course of one day and the night into which it inevitably bleeds, the pair will come to re - examine their emotional bonds, and grapple with the question of whether love and communication are even possible in a world built out of profligate idylls and sexual hysteria. Photographed in rapturous black - and - white by the great Gianni di Venanzo ( 8 - ½, Giulietta degli spiriti), La notte presents the beauty of seduction, then asks: " When did this occur - this seduction of Beauty? " The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Michelangelo Antonioni s haunted odyssey for the first time ever on Blu - ray. SPECIAL BLU - RAY EDITION: New 1080p presentation of the film in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio with previously censored sequences restored for the first time New and improved English subtitles Original Italian theatrical trailer 56 - page booklet with an essay by film-critic and scholar Brad Stevens, and the transcript of a lengthy Q&A conducted in 1961 with Antonioni upon the film s release. REVIEWS: " In essence the manner that LA NOTTE addresses everything is a class above the norm and it s certainly considered as Classic World Cinema for the connoisseur. " - AVPLAY.com " Superb, chilly, spellbinding " - Daily Telegraph " The camerawork - neo - realism at its height is what makes this great " - Mail On Sunday " this endlessly suggestive masterpiece has hardly dated at all " - Sight and Sound " This 1961 film confirmed Antonioni as one of cinemas leading figures... " - Sunday Telegraph