Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Subway Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 3, 2009

Luc Besson's "Subway" (1985) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont. The only supplemental feature on this disc is the original French theatrical trailer for the film. Please note that unlike the UK Blu-ray release of "Subway", which is Region-B "locked", this release is Region-Free and perfectly playable in North America. It is also English-friendly.

Isabelle Adjani

It 2004, Hungarian director Nimród Antal dazzled the audiences at the Cannes Film Festival with his Kontroll, a dark and very atmospheric film about a group of subway “kontrollers” shot entirely in Budapest’s subway system. The film went on to win the coveted Award of the Youth.

Twenty-four years earlier, Luc Besson’s Subway, a film about a handsome thief who wanders the Paris Metro, had a similar effect on those who saw it. Wild yet incontestably stylish, Subway became one of the quintessential '80s films. To this very day, many rightfully regard it as director Besson’s best work.

Here’s its plot: Fred (Christopher Lambert, Highlander), a handsome thief who lives in the Paris Metro, has stolen some important documents from Helena (Isabelle Adjani, Camille Claudel), a beautiful young woman married to a rich but exceptionally obnoxious businessman (Constantin Alexandrov, Gorillas in the Mist: The Adventure of Dian Fossey). Fred tells Helena to meet him in the Metro where he would give her back the documents in exchange for money. When she arrives at the meeting spot, he runs away because another one of his victims -- accompanied by his goons -- shows up.

While hiding in the Metro, Fred befriends a number of strange characters -- the Roller Skater (Jean-Hugues Anglade, 37°2 le matin), a thief specializing in purse-snatching, the Florist (Richard Bohringer, C'est beau une ville la nuit), a man with a drinking problem, the Drummer (Jean Reno), a passionate musician trying to put together a rock band, and Big Bill (Christian Gomba), a giant bodybuilder. Fred also meets “Batman” (Jean-Pierre Bacri, Comme une image) and “Robin” (Jean-Claude Lecas, Franck Spadone), two crazy cops on a mission to nab the Roller Skater.

What director Besson attempted to capture in his film some twenty four years ago were moods, vibes, and the atmosphere of a place with a unique identity. Unsurprisingly, though certainly entertaining, the story of Subway, as well as most of its characters, seems inconsequential. As a result, the film is likely to entice just as many viewers as it is likely to frustrate.

From start to finish, Subway resembles a giant ambient painting. There is a sense of chaos in it that is exasperating and at the same time impossible not to admire. Furthermore, different parts of Subway pulsate with a rhythm of their own, making it impossible to categorize it as a romantic story, drama, or an action film.

The dialog is also unique -- it is not as absorbing as that heard in the films of the Nouvelle Vague directors, but it certainly has a flavor of its own, complimenting not detracting from the intoxicating visuals. Some of it does not immediately make sense, but multiple viewings of Subway should make it clear that it is indeed very carefully scripted.

The same could be said about the relationship between Fred and Helena. It gradually finds its rhythm and focus, but the process could frustrate those accustomed to the type of transparency Hollywood films tend to favor. Needless to say, this is one of the key reasons why Subway still fascinates.

Subway has a terrific music score, courtesy of Eric Serra (who actually plays the Bassist of the Metro band), which is as well remembered as is the actual film. In 1986, the film won a Cesar award for Best Sound (Meilleur son).

Subway Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Luc Besson's Subway arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont.

Gaumont's transfer looks very similar to that Optimum Home Entertainment used for their Blu-ray release in the UK (the UK distributors probably had access to the exact same elements Gaumont used). Once again, it is fairly easy to tell that Subway has not undergone a thorough restoration - there are some mild color pulsations as well as minor specks popping up here and there. Contrast and detail also fluctuate from acceptable to good to very good (this release is actually slightly darker looking than the UK one). Digital noise is noticeable during selected scenes as well. Still, Subway has never looked this good -- a lot of the healthy film grain is kept intact and the color scheme is actually quite strong. Many of the close-ups, for example, are also notably strong (certainly a lot better than they are on the Region-1 DVD Sony Pictures released quite some time ago. So, once again, I must say that this is an acceptable release of a favorite film of mine, which, at the moment, I have no problem recommending to you. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Subway Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. For the record, Gaumont have provided optional English and French subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame.

The French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 is practically identical to the French LPCM 2.0 track Optimum Home Entertainment have on their Blu-ray release. Eric Serra's lovely music score sounds quite impressive - the bass is potent while the high frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp and easy to follow. All in all, I certainly have no reservations with the French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track.

Subway Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Most unfortunately, the only supplemental feature on this Blu-ray disc is the original theatrical trailer for the film (in PAL, and therefore not playable on most North American TV sets).

Subway Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gaumont's Blu-ray release of Luc Besson's Subway looks and sounds very similar to Optimum Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release. However, unlike the UK release, which was Region-B "locked", this French release is Region-Free and perfectly playable in Region-A players. It is also English-friendly. RECOMMENDED.