NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - January 13': So Criterion take their kick-at-the-can for Dassin's noir-ish crime thriller. Their 1080P is slightly darker and more technically robust than the Arrow (with a max'ed out video bitrate) - it also shows quite a bit more information in the frame - on all 4 sides - than any of the other digital editions. While I have no proof - I suspect it is the most theatrically accurate - the contrast shows a richer, texture-filled image that just reeks of  'dark cinema'.

Criterion's linear PCM mono track sounds exactly like the Arrow but they also offer an English DUB (same as the old SD) but not in lossless. Of course, English subtitles are available on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras duplicate the Criterion DVD from 2001 with the 1/2 hour interview with director Jules Dassin from 2000 (also found on the Arrow Blu-ray which trumps the Criterion digital supplements) There is a Stills Gallery and trailer. This is another dual-format edition with one Blu-ray and one DVD, with all content available in both formats and included is a booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman.

I could watch Rififi yearly for the rest of my life. One of many Dassin flics I could say the same about. Strongly recommended!

***

ADDITION: Arrow Academy Region 'B' Blu-ray: April 2011: The Arrow image is excellent - a significantly higher file size and bitrate but looking from the same strong source gives the UK 1080P Blu-ray transfer the nod with a nice sheen of textured grain and the equally clean and impressive appearance with strong detail and contrast. It may be slightly darker than the Gaumont Blu-ray - or that French disc may have some minor brightness boosting. Without being picky - both discs produce strong visuals but technically the Arrow Academy is superior appearing, in my opinion, a shade more film-like.

For audio - the UK disc goes with a linear PCM track in original mono. In sampling I couldn't note much difference between the two lossless tracks. The most important attribute to the Arrow is the optional English subtitles (see sample below) but the disc is coded region 'B'-locked.

No commentary but the Arrow has some excellent extras including an introduction by Ginette Vincendeau, French cinema critic, scholar and author for almost 25-minutes, a 1/2 interview with Jules Dassin and a 37-minute Q&A with the director at the BFI Southbank, London. There is also an original theatrical trailer (2:51) and a comprehensive booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by writer and filmmaker David Cairns, author Alistair Phillips (Rififi: French Film Guide), Francois Truffaut and John Trevelyan. The Artwork presentation packaging includes three original posters and a newly commissioned artwork cover. There is also a PAL - Region 2 DVD included in the 'Dual Format' release.

NOTE: The enclosed DVD has the features and some of the extras but omits the Jules Dassin interview and the Q&A with the director at the BFI Southbank, London which are exclusive to the Blu-ray.

Wonderful package for fans of the film and Dassin - along with the Masters of Cinema Antonioni packages this is one of the best Blu-rays to come out of the UK so far this year. Absolutely recommended!

***

ADDITION: Gaumont Region FREE Blu-ray: March 2011: Okay - short story the single-layered Gaumont Blu-ray is region FREE... but has no English subtitles (but does offer French ones). We will assume the upcoming -in May 2011 - Arrow (UK) Blu-ray HERE will be of similar strong transfer quality (solid detail and minimal artifacts) and hopefully will also be region FREE. We intend on adding it to this comparison as soon as it is released.

***

ON THE DVDs: Although it appears as though the Australian Madman version has duplicated the Criterion extras they certainly couldn't duplicate the image quality. Hazy and washed-out the Madman release, from an unconverted NTSC source - see 'ghosting', displays green and sepia hues. The Criterion on the other hand is sharper (see the Umbrella top in capture #3 but has some edge-enhancement). My other complaint with the Criterion was  two reels were out of sync with the sound being slightly early - This was corrected in a 2nd printing. Picky, I know. The Australian release has inaccurate and incomplete sub-titles. Go with the Criterion all the way on this one.

Aside: Unclear throughout the narrative of the film, the cabaret song in the show that details what the word "rififi" means 'for the rough and tumble', as an active sexual reference.