L'Atalante

This audaciously lyrical exploration of life and love aboard a Seine river barge, was butchered by its distributor for its original 1934 release. Since then it has been seen in various incomplete prints, though there were several attempts to restore cut material. 55 years later, Gaumont has made amends by investing some $ 250,000 in the reconstruction of this film to a form as close as possible to that trade screened for an icy audience in April 1934. Filmmakers Pierre Philippe and Jean-Louis Bompoint are responsible for the restoration, admirable in most respects. (Variety, June 6th, 1990)