The x264 codec is the star of this preservation. By the late 2000s, scene groups abandoned XviD (the previous standard) for x264 because it offered:
The film is set against the scenic, heavily forested backdrop of the Sologne region of France, a territory historically famous for its expansive hunting estates and aristocratic country retreats. Parties.De.Chasse.En.Sologne.1979.DVDRip.x264-w...
However, most copies circulating online are unofficial rips. Proceed at your own risk and respect the intellectual property of the original creators. The x264 codec is the star of this preservation