We have started a Patreon page with the hopes that some of our followers would be willing to donate a small amount to keep DVDBeaver alive. We are a tiny niche, so your generosity is vital to our existence. We are talking about a minimum of $0.10 - $0.15 a day, perhaps a quarter (or more) to those who won't miss it from their budget. It equates to buying DVDBeaver a coffee once, twice or a few times a month. You can then participate in our monthly Silent auctions, and have exclusive access to many 'bonus' High Resolution screen captures - both 4K UHD and Blu-ray (see HERE). To those that are unfamiliar, Patreon is a secure/verified third-party service where users can agree to a monthly donation via credit card or PayPal by clicking the button below.

Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

France / Switzerland 1985

"Détective" is one of Godard's most engaging films, even though it has not been one of his most celebrated. Wheeler Winston Dixon described it as a “straightforward commercial venture,” the film Godard made “precisely in order to direct "Je vous salue, Marie" (1985).” But dismissing it in this way fails to recognize that, even in a film where Godard is forced to compromise, there is still much to be recommended. While "Détective" does tell a story of sorts, it is more than a mere narrative film. It still has many of the striking sound/image experiments and investigations into the forms, textures and affects of the plastic and temporal arts that we have come to expect from a Godard film. It also has a playful comic energy. In fact, as Dave Kehr notes, "Détective" has “all the lightness and zip of Godard's sixties features.” Excerpt of Anna Dzenis' comments in Senses of Cinema located HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release: May 10, 1985

Reviews                                                                             More Reviews                                                                          DVD Reviews

 

Comparison: 

Optimum - Region 2 - PAL vs. Lionsgate (from Jean-Luc Godard Box Set) - Region 1- NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Henrik Sylow for the Optimum DVD caps!

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL LEFT 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Cover
Distribution	Optimum Region 2 - PAL	Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC	Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:34:16 (4% PAL speedup)	1:38:15	1:38:28.444
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.60 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.30 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 41,863,394,910 bytes Feature: 28,781,174,784 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Optimum
Bitrate Lionsgate
Bitrate Kino Blu-ray
Audio	2.0 Dolby Digital French	2.0 Dolby Digital French	DTS-HD Master Audio French 2001 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2001 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	English, None	English, Spanish, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Optimum Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Introduction by Colin McCabe (4:24) DVD Release Date: May 16, 2005 Keep Case Chapters 8	Release Information: Studio: Lionsgate  Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • shares package with Oh, Woe is Me, Passion (1:28:09) and First Name: Carmen DVD Release Date: February 5th, 2008 standard keep case inside cardboard sleeve Chapters 20	Release Information: Studio: Kino   1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 41,863,394,910 bytes Feature: 28,781,174,784 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video   Edition Details: • Booklet essay by Nicolas Rapold, editor of Film Comment "Private Fears in Public Places". • Trailer (01:09) • Trailers for other Godard • Selected scene commentary by James Quandt, programmer for the TIFF Cinematheque Blu-ray Release Date: June 18th, 2019 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 11

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (June 2019): "Detective" (1985) comes to Blu-ray on an all new dual-layered disc with a maxed out bitrate. Kino Lorber's presentation of Jean-Luc Godard’s film is a thing of beauty. The 1.33:1 1080p image has a clarity to it that stands out among some other recent releases. Even the most minute details can be seen with the naked eye, among consistent film-like grain and some very deep blacks (with a wide range of said blacks). There would, of course, be an obvious jump in quality going from DVD to Blu-ray but this is really a significant improvement. Godard's usual stylistic trickery and tinkering of form are somewhat held back here, though the ongoing syncopated credit sequences are pretty fantastic. It should be noted that there is a tiny bit more information on the top and bottom of the frame, when compared to the SD releases. Even to the casual viewer, this is an enviable presentation by Kino. NOTE: We have added 24 more large resolution Kino Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE. The Blu-ray from Kino features a 24-bit DTS-HD Master audio track (in French 2.0). Though my French is a bit rusty, to my ears the dialogue is clear and intelligible, as are the various hotel sounds (the film was mainly shot at the Hôtel Concorde Saint-Lazare in Paris). There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. Kino provide the option to watch selected scenes with commentary by James Quandt, programmer for the TIFF Cinematheque. The film's trailer is included, as are trailers for other Godard films available on Kino; "Detective", "Film Socialisme", "Goodbye to Language", "Helas pour moi", and "The Image Book". There is also a 12-page booklet included in the Blu-ray packaging. This booklet features "Private Fears in Public Places", an essay by Nicolas Rapold, editor of Film Commentgreat. This essay is a great primer for the film in question, as well as the director. Godard can make a pretty thrilling film when certain narrative limitations are imposed. To the uninitiated, this film may seem anything but boilerplate when in fact, relatively speaking, this is quite straight-forward filmmaking for Godard. The camera work, lighting, and editing are indicative of a filmmaker at the top of their game. How strange that Godard apparently was 'slumming it' with this picture so that he could get his next project developed. Rocker Johnny Hallyday is also such a great casting choice. I would definitely pick this Blu-ray up, regardless of your thoughts on Godard. Colin Zavitz *** ADDITION: Lionsgate (from Jean-Luc Godard Box Set) - February 08':  Hardly any deviation in image quality between the two transfers. Quite possibly they are from the same Studio Canal source. The, single-layered, Lionsgate is very competent and part of the fabulous deal of the Godard Box Set which we whole-heartedly recommend. Like the others in the collection it has no extras. The subtitles translation appears slightly different at times but not impacting on the intent of the dialogue in my opinion.   *** ON THE OPTIMUM: Quiet a beautiful image, even though there are minute signs of compression artifacts, not visible when playing. Again, the only extra is an introduction by Colin McCabe, author of "Godard: A Portrait of the Artist at 70", and its sad, that he isn't allowed to go into details about what he here only briefly sketches upon.  - Henrik Sylow

---

DVD Menus
 

 

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

---

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
 

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

---

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

---

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

---

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

---

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

---

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

---

 

1) Optimum Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE 3) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	Optimum Region 2 - PAL	Lionsgate Region 1 - NTSC	Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!

Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective  Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective Détective Jean-Luc Godard DVD Review Détective Jean-Luc Godard Détective