7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Two rival cops compete not only at work but for the heart of the same woman. Two masked men steal a street sign from the famous address of the police judiciare. Next, in a subterranean drinking club, a crowd of threatening, ugly men indulge in macho bonding as the first outbreak of gunfire. Two cops who loathe each other, cynical Vrinks and doggy loner Klein, are forced to work together, chasing the the same perps.
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Gérard Depardieu, André Dussollier, Valeria Golino, Solene BiaschForeign | 100% |
Drama | 98% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Confirmed from disc on the player.
French SDH, English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Top Gallic actors Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu collide in Olivier Marchal's gritty police thriller "36 Quai des Orfèvres" (2004). Yet to be released in the United States, the film has received a pleasing Blu-ray treatment courtesy of French distributors Gaumont. English-friendly and Region-Free.
Being a good cop isn't easy in 36 Quai des orfèvres
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Olivier Marchal's 36 Quai des orfèvres arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont.
Even though 36 Quai des orfèvres does not quite match the spectacular transfer Gaumont provided for Olivier Marchal's MR 73, it still looks quite good. Generally speaking, contrast is pleasing, detail strong and clarity satisfactory. This being said, large portions of this film were shot at night and, occasionally, the picture gets notably gritty, overflowing with very cold blacks, grays and dark browns. I noticed a bit of edge-enhancement popping up here and there, but nothing overly disturbing that would seriously affect your viewing experience; macroblocking isn't an issue of concern either. Also, post-production sharpening has not been applied to the transfer. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing debris, specks, or scratches to report here. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray release is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The French distributors have also provided optional English and French HOH subtitles for the main feature.
The French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is terrific! The bass is full-bodied and punchy, the high frequencies not overdone and the rear channels quite active. There is a very impressive shooting scene in the very beginning of the film that reminded me of Heat, and the highway robbery from its opening minutes - the sound is so clear, you would literally feel as if the gunmen are shooting in your room. This being said, the dialog is crisp and exceptionally easy to follow. There are absolutely no balance issues to report either. I also did not hear any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings. Indeed, the French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is very much up to the high standards we have come to expect from Gaumont. (Note: The subtitles appear outside of the image frame).
36, Qui veut la peau d'Olivier Marchal? (73 min) – This is a very long featurette that takes us back to the pre-production days of the film, the script discussions, the initial reactions of the cast after the film was released, etc. Logically, there is plenty of raw footage that you will see here. Most unfortunately, however, the featurette isn't subtitled in English (in standard-def PAL).
Essais costumes (13 min) – a short piece highlighting a few interesting discussions Olivier Marchal had with the tech crew in regard to the costumes that he wanted his actors to use. Gerard Depardieu appears briefly and offers a few comments as well. Not English-friendly (in standard-def PAL).
Les choix des armes (13 min) – another short piece focusing on the different types of weapons used in the film. There are some pretty serious guns here really look quite impressive. Not English-friendly (in standard-def PAL).
Original theatrical trailer (in standard-def PAL) -
Commentary by Olivier Marchal – Most unfortunately, this terrific commentary isn't subtitled in English either.
I strongly encourage those of you who liked Olivier Marchal's MR 73 to take a look at his 36 Quai des Orfèvres - a slightly more mainstream but equally gritty and atmospheric film. Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu are simply superb! The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of French distributors Gaumont, is of very good quality. It is also English-friendly and Region-Free. Highly Recommended!
2008
A Gang Story
2011
2008
version restaurée inédite
1970
1981
1992
A Prophet
2009
天注定 / Tian zhu ding
2013
Forushande / Le Client
2016
1959
Sarah's Key
2010
2012
The Big Picture
2010
My Life to Live
1962
2015
2017
2011
The Wild Goose Lake / Nan fang che zhan de ju hui / 南方车站的聚会
2019
Millénium 3: La Reine dans le palais des courants d'air / Luftslottet som sprängdes
2009
Young & Beautiful
2013