36 Quai des Orfèvres

(aka "36 Quai des Orfèvres" )

directed by Olivier Marchal
France 2004

Director Olivier Marchal has roots in law enforcement but I sincerely hope the muddled extremes examined in the plot between power hungry cops and unconscionable criminals is pure fiction. Totally dissimilar to Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1947 classic called simply Quai des orfevres, 36 (as it became marketed as) still gives a very entertaining ride based, in great part, to Daniel Auteuil's commanding performance. He resembles Robert DeNiro in this film to quite a strong degree and is the fair cop essentially foiled by the letter of the law turning against him. This is conveniently set-up by unfair and disliked cop Gerard Depardieu, who I might add, has the biggest nose I have ever seen (in close-ups it barely looks real). This film is topped to the brim with well choreographed action and unexpected suspense. For violent extreme cop movies - this ranks as one of the best in recent years.

Gary Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 24th, 2004

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DVD Comparison:

EDKO Films - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Gary Tooze and Henrik Sylow for the Screen Caps!

(EDKO Films - Region 3 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers	Thinking of buying from YesAsia? CLICK HERE and use THIS UPDATED BEAVER PAGE to source their very best...
Distribution	EDKO Films Region 3 - NTSC	Tartan Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:54:48	1:46:33 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	2.32:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 9.14 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.69 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: EDKO Films
Bitrate: Tartan
Audio	French (Dolby Digital DTS)	2.0 Dolby Digital French, 5.1 Dolby Digital French, DTS French, 2.0 Dolby Digital English (dub)
Subtitles	English, Chinese, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: EDKO Films Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.32:1 Edition Details: • Trailer • Photo Gallery • Cast / Crew Filmographies DVD Release Date: July 4th, 2005 Keep Case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Tartan Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Edition Details: • Olivier Marchal Interview (9:37) • Making 36 (27:42) • Choosing costumes (13:41) • Choosing weapons (13:09) • Original Trailer (2:00) • Teaser Trailer (0:52) DVD Release Date: September 18th, 2006 Keep Case Chapters 16

Comments

Gary Tooze on Edko:
With an strong bitrate, its easy to forget that this film is not progressively transferred. It honestly has very minimal combing and looks quite good. Colors seem true and contrast is quite strong. Even at 3X zooming I didn't identify any excessive manipulations. The DTS audio certainly gets some work as the film has some real explosive and aggressive moments. Nothing worthy on the extras front, but certainly a great price for this competent, if not perfect, DVD.

Henrik Sylow on Tartan:
Tartan is except from some edge enhancements a very strong picture. Comparing it to Edko reveals more smooth edges and sharper details.

A significant difference is the translation of the subtitling, where the Edko not is a direct translation of what is said, while Tartan is.

DVD Menus
(EDKO Films - Region 3 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)