7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Foreign | 100% |
War | 42% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
French SDH, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Denys de La Patellière's "Un taxi pour Tobrouk" a.k.a "Taxi for Tobruk" (1960) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont. The supplemental features on the disc include original French trailers for the film; video interviews with director Denys de La Patellière, assistant director Pierre Granier-Deferre, and actor Charles Aznavour; a look at Michel Audiard unique style; video interview with director Denys de La Patellière; and more. In French, with optional English and French SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free
Clueless in Libya
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Denys de La Patellière's Taxi for Tobruk arrives on Bu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont.
Like all previous releases in the Gaumont Classics Collection, the high-definition transfer for this release has been struck from a newly restored master. However, I do not have a DVD release of this film in my library to do some direct comparisons.
Generally speaking, detail and clarity are pleasing. Because the overwhelming majority of the action takes place in the desert and natural light is in abundance, there is also decent depth. The color grading does not disappoint either - the blacks are solid while the variety of grays and whites are well balanced with them. This being said, There are some minor compression anomalies. During specific sequences (early into the film) some light compression artifacts are easy to spot (see screencaptures #8 and 11). Occasionally, there is also light edge flicker that pops up here and there, usually either in the upper left or right corner. Theses are not serious issues that would affect one's viewing experience, but are certainly easy to spot. On a positive side, there are absolutely no traces of excessive sharpening corrections. Though occasionally mixed with light noise, grain is also present. All in all, this is a decent presentation of a film which I do not believe too many people outside of France have had the opportunity to see. (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. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
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 SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The lossless audio track is solid. During the action scenes the trucks are destroyed and elsewhere where shots are fired, the sound is well rounded and stable. There are no distortions, pops, or cracks. The overall range of dynamic is rather limited, but given the film's age and budget this should not be surprising. The dialog is crisp, clear, and stable. The English translation is very good.
Denys de La Patelliere's Taxi for Tobruk is a very entertaining period film that should appeal to viewers interested in classic French cinema. The film is currently available on an English-friendly Blu-ray only in France, courtesy of local distributors Gaumont, but Olive Films are set to release it in the U.S next month (see here). Olive Films are also bringing to Blu-ray Henri Verneuil's Greed in the Sun, another Gaumont film with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Lino Ventura (see here), and Gerard Oury's hilarious The Brain (see here). RECOMMENDED.
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