Rating: 
Summary: Jacques Tati is brilliant...buy this while you still can!
Review: French director Jacques Tati had an amazing ability to tell stories through a little dialogue and a lot of ambient sound with a bit of physical comedy added to taste. Mr. Hulot's Holiday is a wonderful film to sit and watch, although you want to be sure you can devote full attention, because some of the sight or sound gags are "blink and you missed it" fast. This is the first in a series of films featuring Mr. Hulot, continuing with MON ONCLE (My Uncle) and then PLAYTIME (my personal favorite--shot in breathtaking 70mm color!!). There is another film called TRAFFIC (unrelated to the recent Steven Soderbergh film), but I haven't ever come across it. Lovingly restored and issued by Criterion Collection, these DVDs are a must have for any collection. Criterion recently lost its licence to continue the three Tati titles, so you better click to order now!
Rating:
Summary: Funniest movie I've ever seen!
Review: Great music
Rating: 
Summary: I have seen better
Review: I am sorry that I do not have the same enthusiasm as the other reviewers. I am French and I teach French at the High School level. I will not show this movie to my students as it would bore them to death. If you suffer from insomnia, this is the perfect remedy.
Rating: 
Summary: second-rate version of first rate film
Review: I saw Mr Hulot's Holiday at its first U.S. showing on televsion, probably in 1953, and became a lifelong fan. I recently bought both "Holiday" and what I always connsidered Tati's finest, "Playtime." While I enjoy the two films, they are both an almost unbearable disappointent in the Americanized versions.
Jacques must have been given bad advice about us to diminish his masterpieces with the addition of slapstick. I wish I knew how to get the originals.
Rating:
Summary: The most hilarious film ever!!
Review: I saw this film only 5 times. Because it is an old movie, it was not often shown in cinema. Today, after years of searching, I am ordering this movie, and starting to laugh. If you have never seen this movie, be prepared, because you may get tired of laughing. You may also be advise to watch the movie in a sound-prove room, if you don't want to have problems with your neighbours, because you will laugh loudy.
Rating:
Summary: The US video version a sad disappointment
Review: I saw this film when it was first released in 1956 and enjoyed every minute. I bought the US video version as a Christmas (2001) present to give to friends who also saw it on its first release and was very surprised when they said they were very disappointed with the video. I understood why when I, too, saw the US video version with US-English sub-titles that were superfluous and completely wrecked the concept of a film that depended entirely on sound effects rather than dialogue for comedy. I had thought of buying 'Mon Oncle' as well but, having seen what was done to Ms Hulot, I'm glad I didn't waste my money on another disappoinment.
Rating: 
Summary: 1:33:1 vs. 1:37:1?
Review: I will not review this film as I have purchased but not received it yet, however...TK RILEY's review lambasts Criterion for NOT transfering in WIDESCREEN format: 1. If you look up this film at imdb.com and click on DVD DETAILS you will notice that
the DVD is presented in "Academy Aspect Ratio" which translates to: 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio. 2. If you look up this film at imdb.com and click on TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS you will see it was originally filmed within an aspect ratio of 1:37:1 3. imdb.com will state if this is "PAN AND SCAN" (and they do NOT!)
IN FACT, here is a quote from Criterions website titled "About the transfer" -- M. Hulot's Holiday is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. 4. CONCLUSION: How much could we be missing? Answer: NOT MUCH! Forgetta bou'dit! Purchase and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Gentle, unique, sublime
Review: I'm a jaded, blase movie viewer who was completely disarmed by this gentle, sweet, thoroughly entertaining French comedy. Though the film is often described as "slapstick", it is the subtle, sublime comedic touches in the movie that endear me the most. Watch Hulot's stunned expression when he is greeted good morning for the first time in the hotel after having been given the cold shoulder by others. Watch the chef who starts cutting thin slices of meat but decides to cut bigger slices when he sees a more rotund customer walks by. In one scene, Hulot inadventently removes a bookmark from a book that someone is reading; moments later, the reader feverishly flips through the pages to find it. During the scene where the radio plays La Marceillaise, everyone in the room stands up as if to salute; mais non! They are just turning in, ignoring the anthem. Some of these moments could easily be missed or ignored, since they are not made "obvious" as a lesser director would do, but made at just the right tone that befits the gentle nature of the film. There are some bigger gags, of course, including a boisterous "firework" scene near the end. But the majority of the film is consist of one light humorous touch after another. Thus, it's a film that rewards the observant viewer. And home video provides a perfect means for repeat viewings, which this film is best appreciated with. Although Tati's MON ONCLE (also available as a Criterion DVD) is generally considered to be thematically and artistically superior, it is M. HULOT'S HOLIDAY, I believe, that best showcases Tati's unique comedic universe. This Criterion DVD runs 87 minutes, and it fails to mention that the original French version was over 110 minutes. The black-and-white picture quality is superb. English subtitles are optional. Also included on the DVD is the 1936 short film SOIGNE TON GAUCHE that starred Tati as a would-be boxer.
Rating:
Summary: Gentle, unique, sublime
Review: I'm a jaded, blase movie viewer who was completely disarmed by this gentle, sweet, thoroughly entertaining French comedy. Though the film is often described as "slapstick", it is the subtle, sublime comedic touches in the movie that endear me the most. Watch Hulot's stunned expression when he is greeted good morning for the first time in the hotel after having been given the cold shoulder by others. Watch the chef who starts cutting thin slices of meat but decides to cut bigger slices when he sees a more rotund customer walks by. In one scene, Hulot inadventently removes a bookmark from a book that someone is reading; moments later, the reader feverishly flips through the pages to find it. During the scene where the radio plays La Marceillaise, everyone in the room stands up as if to salute; mais non! They are just turning in, ignoring the anthem. Some of these moments could easily be missed or ignored, since they are not made "obvious" as a lesser director would do, but made at just the right tone that befits the gentle nature of the film. There are some bigger gags, of course, including a boisterous "firework" scene near the end. But the majority of the film is consist of one light humorous touch after another. Thus, it's a film that rewards the observant viewer. And home video provides a perfect means for repeat viewings, which this film is best appreciated with. Although Tati's MON ONCLE (also available as a Criterion DVD) is generally considered to be thematically and artistically superior, it is M. HULOT'S HOLIDAY, I believe, that best showcases Tati's unique comedic universe. This Criterion DVD runs 87 minutes, and it fails to mention that the original French version was over 110 minutes. The black-and-white picture quality is superb. English subtitles are optional. Also included on the DVD is the 1936 short film SOIGNE TON GAUCHE that starred Tati as a would-be boxer.
Rating:
Summary: Fine Subtle Slapstick Comedy!
Review: In today's world of the need for dynamic action to keep you glued to the screen, this comedy requires relaxation and "paying attention" to be able to catch and observe the comic genius subtileness of Tati. If you turn your head for a minute, you will miss many of the humorous tidbits. Warning!!, the younger generation may find you odd when you enjoy this tape and try to share it with them.
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