The Escapees 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Escapees 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 5, 2025

Jean Rollin's "The Escapees" a.k.a. "Les paumées du petit matin" (1981) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critic Tim Lucas; archival program with Jean Rollin; a gallery of vintage promotional stills; and more. In French, with optional English subtitles. Region-Free.

The Escapees has frequently been profiled as something of an outcast. It is very fluid and lyrical, but it does not have the Gothic qualities that Jean Rollin’s work is known for. And yet, it might well be one of the French director’s most atmospheric films.

In a secluded mental institution, the rebellious Michelle (Laurence Dubas) convinces the jaded Marie (Christiane Coppé) to help her escape. After Michelle’s straightjacket is removed, the two girls disappear deep into the heart of the French countryside.

For a while they wander aimlessly without a plan, staying vigilant but enjoying their freedom, and then join a traveling troupe of friendly exotic dancers. When the police raids one of their shows -- because for the right amount of money the dancers would also enthusiastically perform various sexual acts -- the two girls barely manage to get away.

As their adventure continues, the two girls befriend the charming pickpocket Sophie (Marianne Valiot), who promises to help them get on a ship bound for an exotic island. However, as they prepare for the long journey, fate once again interferes, and they end up with a group of dodgy swingers.

The Escapees does not have vampires and bizarre rituals, but its atmosphere is quite remarkable. Immediately after escaping from the madhouse, the two girls are pushed into what can best be described as a surrealistic environment in which anything seems possible. Here the narrative almost completely collapses -- different characters emerge and then casually disappear without a trace and seemingly important relationships are left undeveloped -- but it gradually becomes very intriguing. It leaves the impression that a door has been opened to a very private dream in which a lot is happening, but for reasons that are not immediately apparent.

The dream is also infused with poetic eroticism that makes it incredibly atmospheric. First the two girls discover that they are attracted to each other, and later it becomes obvious that they are also desired by various men and women. There are innocent smiles, inviting looks and gentle touches that are beautifully captured by Rollin’s camera.

It all comes to an end abruptly, like most dreams do. The two girls are suddenly pushed back into the real world, where time has a steady rhythm and guns can kill. Then, surrounded by the police in a luxurious villa, they are forced to choose how their journey will end.

The cast features mostly non-professional actors, some good, some better, but it is virtually impossible to tell. The two leads, in particular, look remarkably relaxed, as if they have appeared of dozens of other such genre films. Future adult star Brigitte Lahaie also has a memorable cameo in the final act.

Rollin worked with cinematographer Claude Bécognée, who also assisted him on the equally moody and seductive mind-benders The Grapes of Death and Bacchanales Sexuelles.

The Escapees 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The release introduces an exclusive new 4K restoration of The Escapees sourced from the original camera negative. In native 4K, the 4K restoration can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. The 4K Blu-ray release does not have a Blu-ray copy of the 4K restoration. A Blu-ray copy is available in this Blu-ray release.

I have only one other release of The Escapees in my library. It is this release, produced by the Redemption label in 2015. It is sourced from an older master with some obvious limitations. However, the film still looks pretty decent on it.

The new 4K restoration produces healthier and more attractive visuals, but, sadly, it is not the home run I wanted it to be. Before I explain why, please note that the article displays screencaptures from three different releases. The screencaptures from the 4K Blu-ray are not representative of the actual quality of the 4K content.

Screencaptures #1-24 are from the new Blu-ray release.
Screencaptures #27-34 are from the 4K Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #36-37 are from the older Redemption label Blu-ray release.

I viewed the entire film in native 4K with Dolby Vision, and later spent plenty of time with its 1080p presentation on the new Blu-ray. Virtually all visuals boast better delineation, clarity, and depth. The density levels of these visuals are more consistent than those of the previous release as well, so on a bigger screen, the uptick in quality is quite easy to appreciate. Shadow nuances are superior, too. However, there are several areas of presentation with color grading issues. For example, some of the outdoor footage has collapsing blues that evolve into turquoise. (This exact same issue is present on the recent 4K restoration of The Hitcher). When it is most obvious, this issue gives the visuals an odd neon-esque quality. You can see an example here, and you can see how on the older master the sky remains blue here. You should also be able to see how the problematic grading eliminates some existing detail. Elsewhere, you can see similarly distracting blooming that looks like this and this. In native 4K, balance is a little bit better, so in 1080p on the Blu-ray the anomalies that are highlighted above are always recognizable. (For what it's worth, similar color alterations and issues are present on the 4K restoration of Snapshot. The Vinegar Syndrome release of the same film is properly graded and does not have these issues). All of this is unfortunate because the 4K restoration is still the better presentation and should have been the definitive presentation of the film.

The Escapees 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The two versions of The Escapees can be viewed with French LPCM 1.0 track. Optional English subtitles are provided for both versions.

On the previous Blu-ray release of The Escapees that I have, occasionally background hiss and pops can be heard. They are never distracting, but if the volume is turned up enough, it is impossible to miss them. The lossless track on this release is healthier. I did not hear any age-related anomalies to report in our review.

The Escapees 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, Tim Lucas discusses the exact period in which Jean Rollin shot The Escapees, the visual style of the film, the dilemmas the two girls face and the significance of the choices they make along the way, etc. Also, there are some interesting comments about Claude Bécognée, who worked with Rollin on several other films, including The Grapes of Death.

• One Day in Paris - in this archival program, Jean Rollin discusses Jacques Ralf's original script for The Escapees, the film's difficult post-production history (initially, it was rejected by a number of different distributors), some of the key similarities between The Escapees and The Night of the Hunted, the significance of select sequences (the girls' meeting with the fortune-teller), etc. Also included is archival footage from the director's visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where Two Orphan Vampires, Dracula's Fiancee, and Night of the Clocks were filmed. The interview was conducted in Paris in December 2008. In French, with English subtitles. (29 min).

• Quant a Louise - in this program, actors Natalie Perrey and Jean-Pierre Bouyxou recall their interactions with Louise Dhour. In French, with English subtitles. (5 min).

• Monsieur Loup et la folie - in this program, actor Jean-Loup Phillipe recalls his work with Jean Rollin. In French, with English subtitles. (9 min).

• Stephen Thrower: A Secret Room - in this new program, Stephen Thrower discusses The Escapees. In English, not subtitled. (35 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of archival promotional stills for The Escapees.

• Book - an exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Lucas Balbo, archival writing on the film by Jean Rollin, an archival interview with the director, an archival interview with composer Philippe D'Aram, a tribute to Rollin by fantastique cinema expert Nicolas Stanzick, and techncial credits.

The Escapees 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Escapees is a very unusual entry in Jean Rollin's canon, which is why it is not universally liked by those who appreciate the director's unique style. I think that it is an incredibly atmospheric film. It has the same unbridled spontaneity that is present in Agnes Varda's Vagabond, but it looks and feels like a long surrealistic dream. This 4K Blu-ray release has the best presentation of the film that I have seen to date. However, it is not the perfect presentation I wanted it to be. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.