ADDITION BFI Blu-ray - February 2021: BFI brings us Mathieu Kassovitz's hit film "La Haine", in a new 2-disc Region 'B' Blu-ray set. The black and white photography looks stunning thanks to a new 4K restoration supervised by director of photography Pierre Aïm. The image looks slightly brighter now, revealing more detail that was previously shrouded in darkness (note the now-visible drool bubbles on Cassel's face as he sleeps). This added brightness in no way detracts from the contrast and range of blacks, which are as strong and varied as ever. If anything, certain aspects of each frame are brighter while others appear darker, showing that this transfer is more nuanced than first glance. This contrast is aided by a consistently maxed out bitrate, keeping the moving-image looking spectacular. We have come a long way from DVD, as this is an impressive restoration.

BFI's 25th anniversary 2-disc Blu-ray set features the film with 2 audio options (three if you include the commentary). The first is the film in 24-bit 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio. The second is the film in 24-bit linear PCM 2.0 stereo. While I no longer have the Criterion Blu-ray for comparison, I imagine that this DTS surround track achieves a similar effect, with the linear PCM 2.0 stereo also holding its own, so to speak. The dialogue and frantic action sounds just as effective on the stereo track, though the separation of environmental (or should I say city) noise shows in the 5.1 track. Thankfully for us Anglophones, there are optional English subtitles. This is a Region 'B' Blu-ray from BFI.

NOTE: James-Masaki Ryan tells us in FB: "The BFI's 5.1 track is a new mix, with much better balance of the surround channels in comparison to the Criterion or older DVDs. I wrote it in a review that the helicopter sequence with DJ Cut Killer is the most noticeable example of better mixing on the BFI disc."

"Redefining Rebellion" is a new 5-minute piece with film critic and programmer Kaleem Aftab exploring the revolutionary politics of "La Haine". The same 2004 English-language audio commentary from director Kassovitz appears again on the BFI Blu-ray. Kassovitz recorded the commentary for the film's 10h anniversary. "Screen Epiphany'' features rising star Riz Ahmed, introducing "La Haine". The award-winning actor talks about his connection to Mathieu Kassovitz's film. Ahmed's introduction was recorded in 2020. "Interview with Mathieu Kassovitz'' is a new (2020) 35.5-minute interview with the actor, writer and director. Rounding out the first Blu-ray disc's extras is the film's 25th anniversary trailer. Blu-ray disc 2 features some of the director's short films, namely "Fierrot le pou" (1990, 7.5-minutes), "Cauchemar blanc" (1991, 10.5-minutes), and "Assassins" (1992, 12-minutes). "Fierrot..." deals with a young man shooting hoops in a gym, trying to win the affections of a young woman. "Cauchemar..." features a group of guys cruising the streets looking for someone to rob, and clearly showcases the raw and unpolished verite-style talent that Kassovitz would later employ for "La Haine". "Assassins" is Kassovitz's short film which he later developed into the feature "Assassin(s)" in 1997. The previously released, 84-minute "10 Years of La Haine" (2005) also makes an appearance on the second Blu-ray. "Casting and rehearsals", "Anatomy of a Scene", "Colour deleted and extended scenes" and "Behind the scenes" are all from 1995 and are self-explanatory, lasting 19, 7, and 6 and 17-minutes respectively. The color deleted/extended sequence includes afterwords by Mathieu Kassovitz on selected scenes. The film's original trailers round out the second Blu-ray disc. Also included is an 80-page book featuring new essays by Kaleem Aftab and Ginette Vincendeau, an interview with Mathieu Kassovitz, archival essays and reviews and more. There is also the warning that "Please note that some of the special features on this release are presented at 720p/50fps and may therefore not be viewable in certain territories outside Europe."

BFI's 25th anniversary 2-disc Blu-ray set of "La Haine" is quite captivating. The film's new 4K restoration (supervised by director of photography Pierre Aïm) makes the set a must-own. The slew of extras don't hurt either. Region 'B' Blu-ray fans would be wise to seek this one out.

- Colin Zavitz

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ADDITION Criterion Blu-ray - April 2012: Well, the technicals support the Criterion with a higher file-size and bitrate. But it tends to look a shade darker maybe even greenish. Looking very closely the Criterion is smoother with the Optimum showing a few light digital artifacts. Overall not a heck of a lot of difference for those less-picky - very few would notice disparity in playback but Criterion's dual-layering and more than 50% higher bitrate will get the, obvious, nod.

The Criterion track is technically more robust that a discerning ear would notice. It has a bit more crispness and depth in the separations - but quite minor in the larger scheme. The Criterion has optional English subtitles and their Blu-ray is region 'A'-locked.

Extras duplicate the 2007 DVD with the commentary, Ginette Vincendeau liner notes essay, video introduction by Jodie Foster and other supplements (see below).

Powerful film and Criterion appear to have produced the definitive Home Theater release - an easy recommendation. 

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ADDITION Optimum Blu-ray - August 2009: I don't know what Optimum's motivation is here. Why are they releasing puny, single-layered, bare-bones Blu-rays? with none of the solid extras of their own DVD edition... and they have region-locked it to 'B' when there is a comparably serviceable region FREE Blu-ray already available? They certainly aren't maximizing the format capabilities with a 16 Gig transfer. While the image and audio quality is superior than any of the DVDs compared below - especially in the contrast department - I don't know that it's enough to be bothered picking up - and most likely, if individuals were inclined - they would have already bought the Region FREE French edition HERE that also has English, and other, subtitle options.

Personally, I'd probably still lean to the Criterion with its bountiful supplements or, if you must own this in 1080P - the French hi-def release.

Gary Tooze