Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.5

Les Liaisons Dangereuses Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 20, 2020

Roger Vadim's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" a.k.a. "Dangerous Love Affairs" (1959) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include fully restored vintage trailer for the film; new audio commentary by critic Kat Ellinger; and music & effects track. In French, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Send her the telegram. And make it urgent.

Roger Vadim’s cinematic adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos famous novel could have been a major misfire for a couple of different reasons. One of them is the decision to move the drama in a contemporary setting where the dynamic of the relationships between the players and their targets changes. This is what makes the prologue, where Vadim explains what the objective of his film would be, so important. Vadim tells us that the film is going to be a contemporary litmus test, which immediately shifts the focus of attention to the identity of the players. So, while we view the film, we can ponder whether we might have allowed suave chameleons like Juliette de Meteuil (Jeanne Moreau) and Vicomte de Valmont (Gerard Philipe) to enter our lives -- in the present. The novel is focused entirely on the mechanics of their game. Another reason is the different nature of their game. In the novel, the social status of the players brings the opportunities to them, while in Vadim’s film they are freelancers. Here the players have the financial means that allow them to improvise, but their targets are ‘modern’ women that can freely move between different social environments and openly reject them without fear of retribution. So, while similar, the game isn’t the same. Finally, the film is very, very cynical, to the point of being unbearable. So, what does Vadim do to make it easier to endure? He shoots it as a classic French melodrama, emphasizing elegance and beauty, and then just to be safe adds a trendy score by jazz icon Thelonious Monk.

The arrangement between Juliette and Valmont provides the excuse for the upcoming drama. They are in an open relationship which makes them ‘modern’. But the important revelation here is that they are simply coldhearted egoists with equally perverted minds. The two are also made up elitists, the kind of social transplants that believe in the importance of social visibility but do not really care about the cannons of their social environment. In other words, they are the worst of the worst – chameleons even when their game isn’t on.

Their targets are cultured but predictably naïve. The young Cecile (Jeanne Valérie) is in love with fellow student Danceny (Jean-Louis Trintignant) but as a contemporary woman still curious, so Valmont promptly uses her open-mindedness to get in bed with her. An easy score. Then there is the supposedly happily married and more introverted Marianne Tourvel (fantastic Annette Vadim), who requires more time to be seduced but surrenders in almost the exact same manner. Another predictable score. And to prove that it is so Valmont’s partner then sends Marianne a brutal telegram that permanently wrecks her world.

The cynicism flourishes in the third act, where the players turn against each other, but the most realistic material is here. Indeed, after a short-lived euphoria following their triumphs, Vadim strips them of their faux cultural superiority and while targeting the ridiculousness of their relationship reveals that they are just as vulnerable as their targets.

Marcel Grignon’s simple lensing preferences produce some rather striking visuals. The beach footage where Valmont kisses Marianne’s cold looks great. The big party where Danceny confronts Valmont also could have been extracted from one of Michelangelo Antonioni’s early film.

*Kino Lorber’s release of Les Liaisons Dangereuses is sourced from a new 4K master that was struck from the film’s original camera negative. The restoration was carried out by Éclair on behalf of TF1 Films.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Les Liaisons Dangereuses arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from a new 4K master that was prepared by Eclair on behalf of TF1 Films. It is a stunner, one of the very best that I have seen done for a classic black-and-white French film. On my system this film looks absolutely incredible now, boasting remarkable depth during indoor and outdoor footage, while delineation is of what I consider to be 'reference levels'. The density of the visuals is also very impressive. I upscaled the release to 4K as well, but the 1080p visuals look so strong that I could not see much of a difference. The grading is very convincing. The blacks are solid but not crushed and there terrific ranges of gray and white nuances. The entire film is spotless as well. Great restoration and equally impressive presentation. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Les Liaisons Dangereuses Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Thelonious Monk's music does for this film what Miles Davis' music does for Elevator to the Gallows. Fortunately, the restored audio is excellent. I viewed the film with the volume turned up quite a bit and could not notice any age-related anomalies. Clarity, depth, and balance are exceptional.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - fully restored vintage trailer for Les Liaisons Dangereuses. In French, with optional English subtitles. (4 min, 1080p).

• Isolated Music & Effects Track - presented as DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

• Commentary - new commentary by critic Kat Ellinger.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Roger Vadim's take on Choderlos de Laclos' popular novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses is one of the most cynical yet elegant classic films you would ever see. It almost feels wrong to enjoy it, but I did, and I also have to say that many of its observations about the dirty games the two sexes play are spot on. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from a stunning 4K master that was prepared by Éclair on behalf of TF1 Films. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (If you have seen and liked Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows, you should definitely put this film on your 'to buy' list. It's got a top-notch soundtrack by jazz legend Thelonious Monk).