8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A master thief, fresh out of prison, crosses paths with a notorious escapee and an alcoholic ex-cop. The unlikely trio plot a heist, against impossible odds, until a relentless inspector and their own pasts seal their fates.
Starring: Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volontè, Yves Montand, Paul CrauchetDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 88% |
Crime | 14% |
Heist | 3% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English, French, German
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Cercle Rouge" (1970) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an introduction to the film by Prof. Ginette Vincendeau; "Code name: Melville", an in-depth look at the life and legacy of Jean-Pierre Melville; gallery of video interviews with assistant director Bernard Stora, writer Jose Giovanni; and writer Rui Nogueira; and the film's original French theatrical trailer. The disc also arrives with a 20-page illustrated booklet. In French, with optional English, German, and French subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Alain Delon as Corey
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle Rouge arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
This high-definition transfer has been struck from a dated source. Nevertheless, it is a very good one. Generally speaking, fine object detail ranges from good to excellent, clarity is pleasing, and contrast levels a lot stronger than I expected them to be. The film's ambient color-scheme - a mix of light blues and a variety of grays - also looks surprisingly fresh. This said, mild edge-enhancement is occasionally noticeable. Macroblocking, however, is not an issue of concern. Traces of mild noise corrections are also present, but the film's grain structure is very much in tact. There are no serious stability issues. I also did not see any large scratches, marks, cuts, or splices to report in this review. All in all, this Blu-ray release does indeed represent a very strong upgrade over all previous releases of Le Cercle Rouge. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content. For the record, its main menu could be set in one of the following languages: English, French, or German).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment have provided optional English, German, and French subtitles for the main feature.
The French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is solid. The dialog is exceptionally crisp, clean, stable and easy to follow. There are no pops, cracks, hissings, or audio dropouts. I also did not detect any balance issues with Eric Demarsan's music score. Understandably, the range of dynamics the French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track possesses is limited, but the sound conveys natural depth and fluidity. The quality of the English translation is good.
Introduction by Ginette Vincendeau - a long, very informative introduction to Le Cercle Rouge. Professor Vincendeau discusses the production history of Le Cercle Rouge, as well as Jean-Pierre Melville's fascination with American cinema, unique style, and legacy. The introduction is licensed from the BFI. In English, with optional German and French subtitles. (22 min, PAL).
Code Name: Melville - an in-depth look at the life and legacy of Jean-Pierre Melville, with fascinating observations by filmlmaker and critic Andre S. Labarthe, actor Pierre Grasset, and directors Johnnie To, Volker Schlondorff, and Bertrand Tavernier, amongst others. In French, with optional English and German subtitles. (77 min, PAL).
About Le Cercle Rouge:
Bernard Stora - Mr. Stora, who has worked primarily as an assistant director for Jean Eustache, Henri Verneuil, John Frankenheimer and Jean-Pierre Melville, and script-writer for Claude Miller and Georges Lautner amongst others, recalls his first encounter and consequent collaborations with Jean-Pierre Melville. In French, with optional English and German subtitles. (31 min, PAL).
Jose Giovanni - Mr. Giovanni wrote the script for Jean-Pierre Melville's Le deuxième souffle (Second Breath) in 1966. In this video interview, he recalls his work with the French director, as well as his legacy. In French, with optional English and German subtitles. (15 min, PAL).
Rui Nogueira - a video interview with Rui Nogueira, author of "Melville on Melville", produced for Criterion and conducted by Robert Fischer. In French, with optional English and German subtitles. (27 min, PAL).
Trailer - the original French theatrical trailer for Le Cercle Rouge. In French, with optional English and German subtitles. (2 min, PAL).
Booklet - a 20-page illustrated booklet with an essay by Ginette Vincendeau (the author is a Professor of Film Studies at King's College, London. Amongst her works on French cine are Stars and Stardom in French Cinema and Jean-Pierre Melville, An American in Paris).
Jean-Pierre Melville's gangster films do not have original plots. They have style - and plenty of it. Indeed, these films are so fascinating to behold because there is nothing like them. Le Cercle Rouge, arguably one of the French director's very best films, arrives on Blu-ray as part of the Studio Canal Collection, and courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The film looks very good, without a doubt the best it ever has. As expected, the disc also contains a number of terrific supplemental features. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
StudioCanal Collection
1965
L'armée des ombres / Vintage World Cinema
1969
À bout de souffle / Vintage World Cinema
1960
1962
Du rififi chez les hommes / Arrow Academy
1955
1967
Un flic / Dirty Money
1972
36 Quai des Orfèvres / 36th Precinct
2004
1956
Léon Morin, prêtre
1961
Remastered / 25th Anniversary | Reissue
1995
4K Restoration | Les quatre cents coups
1959
My Life to Live
1962
2015
1959
Mauvais Sang
1986
Band of Outsiders
1964
天国と地獄 / Tengoku to jigoku
1963
The Big Risk
1960
Luftslottet som sprängdes
2009