Kino Lorber transfer the classic French film "Port of Shadows" on a dual-layered Blu-ray. The 1080p image has a maxed-out bitrate accompanying the film. This would seem to be from the exact same source as the Studiocanal Blu-ray since aside from the Kino looking darker and having a much stronger bitrate, the captures look identical. French title cards precede the film (see above).

Not only is the picture quality similar, to my ears this is the exact same 16-bit DTS audio track that appeared on the Studiocanal Blu-ray.

Once again we are treated to the "On the Port of Shadows" extra (46:03 Hardcoded English subs), as well as the introduction from professor Ginette Vincendeau. The professor describes this picture as one of the best films of the period, and a true classic of French cinema, thanks in large part to the large team of talent assembled for the shoot. 

Studiocanal had a lovely package back in 2012 with their Region 'B' Blu-ray of "Port of Shadows aka Le Quai Des Brumes", and this 2K Kino Lorber Blu-ray is no different. The extras are also here, and the image is slightly improved thanks to a slightly darker image and stronger bitrate. If you have passed on picking up this classic film before now, don't hesitate.

Colin Zavitz

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ADDITION: Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (October 2012): The restoration has removed some of the scratches that appeared on the Criterion DVD - but being darker it has a tendency to obscure some of the detail. Side-by-side the Criterion does look marginally boosted and I think the darker, thicker 1080P image is probably more accurate to the original. I was initially on the fence but watched scenes from both toggling back and forth and the Blu-ray transfer has none of the artifacts that the SD has. It looks like Criterion did the best with what they had. I did get the feeling some of the Studio Canal may have been over-digitized. The hi-def did look better in-motion but the brighter Criterion image does have some attributes.

Audio gets the lossless treatment on the Blu-ray and this is clearly an advancement but the extras are the most significant bonus in favor of the European disc. Supplements include an excellent 45-minute video piece entitled On The Port Of Shadows with optional subtitles. We also get an introduction to Le Quai Des Brumes by Ginette Vincendeau, Professor and Film Critic running 7-minutes in English a well as a 10-minute piece Restoring Le Quai Des Brumes about the extent and details of the improvement. The package is a Digibook with images and text on the movie written by Vincendeau.

the extras are a significant selling feature and the restoration has many positives even if you are sensitive to some of the digitization. I'd still recommend!

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