I'm still planning to pick up Criterion's release of PIERROT LE FOU but DVDBeaver in their review has pointed out that the shot of Belmondo with Samuel Fuller is tinted deep green in this transfer. It is not tinted in Studio Canal French transfer (or the Warner UK transfer that is a single layer version of that one) or the older Fox Lorber release. Several surrounding shots are tinted in saturated blue and red so I wonder if this was intentional on Coutard's and Godard's parts. This is still odd since the Criterion master does come from Studio Canal.

I don't know if the Beav edited his review since you've read it, but he does state that


"I have no explanation for the greenish tinge of that particular party scene (with director Samuel Fuller chomping a cigar on the right) but numerous emails confirm it is accurate in accordance with the theatrical appearance." (emphasis added)

FWIW, the first time I saw PIERROT LE FOU the scene with Fuller was tinted green. I remember being a bit mystified when I saw the Fox Lorber disc and the scene wasn't tinted. The tint was key to giving a druggy, disoriented feel to the scene that worked really well in the context.

I saw PIERROT LE FOU on the big screen about 30 years ago and I don't recall a green tint at all. The scene with Fuller was the most memorable in the film to me, so I think I would have noticed if it looked different from the rest of the film. (But then again, memory is a funny thing and it was 30 years ago.)

(Actually, the most memorable scene is the one where Belmondo puts on an act for the American sailors with his English slang and bottle of whiskey.)

The untinted shot does seem odd given the surrounding ones so it looks like Criterion is the more accurate presentation.