Master thief Corey (Alain Delon) is fresh out of prison. But instead of toeing the line of law-abiding freedom, he finds his steps leading back to the shadowy world of crime, crossing those of a notorious escapee (Gian Maria Volonté) and alcoholic ex-cop (Yves Montand). As the unlikely trio plots a heist against impossible odds, their trail is pursued by a relentless inspector (Bourvil), and fate seals their destinies. Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle Rouge combines honorable anti-heroes, coolly atmospheric cinematography, and breathtaking set pieces to create a masterpiece of crime cinema.

1) Studio Canal - Region 2- PAL LEFT

Comments:

ADDITION: (March 2011) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray: Criterion's release continues to have some color disparity from the European editions. I don't know that I care to guess the Le Cercle Rouge's most authentic look any more. I have been using the pool table felt as a barometer and am intrigued to see the variations. I have no idea which is more correct but the screen captures should help some make conclusions of their own. The Criterion has the higher bitrate (more file space used for the feature) than the Studio Canal Blu-ray counterpart. The Criterion is darker, a shade browner (skin tones warmer/more orange) and has more information in the frame - notable on all 4 edges (on the pool table capture below this is readily apparent). There is both textured grain and depth in the Criterion HD-transferred image. I suspect as with the opposing standard DVDs, that the Blu-rays are from two different prints - differences are beyond digital manipulation, IMO.

Criterion stays authentically mono with a linear PCM track in original French at 1152 kbps. I couldn't say I noticed significant difference from the lossless Studio Canal and Demarsan`s score still sounds strong. There are optional English subtitles on the region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Without diligently checking, I believe these are the same supplements as on the Criterion DVD from 2004 including the hour's worth of video interviews with the author of Melville on Melville, Rui Nogueira, and assistant director Bernard Stora - repeated in the Studio Canal Blu-ray package - plus excepts from Cinéastes de notres temps; Jean-Pierre Melville and Archival Footage; Pour le Cinema, Midi Magazine, Vingt-quatre Heures sur la deux and Morceaux de Bravoure - the original theatrical trailer and 2003 Rialto Pictures re-release trailer and a 28-page booklet booklet featuring essays by film critics Michael Sragow and Chris Fujiwara, excerpts from Melville on Melville, a reprinted interview with composer Eric Demarsan, and an appreciation from director John Woo. Neither Blu-ray has the excellent Ginette Vincendeau commentary as found on the BFI DVD.

Melville's masterpiece is well-represented in the digital medium. Fans have many choices and both sides of the pond offer solid packages. I feel fortunate to have been introduced to the film via DVD, but now the 1080P format is continuing to diversify and this is one the titles that is positively a worthwhile addition to any digital library. 

***

ADDITION: (August 2010) Studio Canal Collection - Region 'B' - Blu-ray: Firstly, this is the European region 'B'-locked Blu-ray edition of Melville's film. It will be the exact same disc (transfer, menus, extras) used in the UK (Optimum), Germany (Kinowelt) and in France (Studio Canal) under the umbrella of The Studio Canal Collection. Packaging will differ due to the country language it is sold in September 2010 but all digital features will be the same. Accordingly Lions Gate should release this in North America although I have no scheduled release date yet.

The disc asks you immediately to choose; Deutschland, France or United Kingdom. Then the menus are in the appropriate language.

We can surmise that the source is the same four all 4 editions as we can find duplicate damage in the matching screen captures. I recall having numerous debates about the colors of the 3 DVDs, concluding the SC was brightness boosted, Criterion had altered the color scheme (often appearing too green) and the BFI was possibly the closest to the original appearance. It's fabulous to see the 1080P rendering of the Studio Canal Collection transfer which has improved significantly beyond all the DVDs with much tighter colors, superior detail and very visible film grain. It looks pretty sweet in motion. It is heads-and-tails ahead of any of the DVDs in just about every facet of visuals. In fact, it finally looks un-tampered and... correct.

The Blu-ray has resisted a fake bump with the lossless DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel audio at 1754 kbps in original French (there is also a German DUB). Like the video it tightens up... and also offers some perceived range. Dialogue is correspondingly cleaner and crisper and the aggressiveness has some buoyancy. Ditto for Éric Demarsan`s sparingly utilized score. There are optional subtitles in French, English and German and my Momitsu has identified it as being region 'B'-locked.

The prize of the extras is Olivier Bohler's 1 1/4 hour documentary Code Name: Melville - described as "...mixing interviews, rare archival footage and film extracts, the film shows how Melville's works were impacted by what he experienced in his youth during WWII, and how it structured his whole approach to cinema, not only in its thematic but also in its aesthetics." we certainly don't want to take away from the 20-minute introduction by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau (love that voice) and, under 'About Le Cercle Rouge' interviews with assistant director Bernard Stora (30:11 - French w/subs), writer, director, actor Jose Giovanni (14:37 - French w/subs) and Rui Nogueira (26:12- French w/subs). There is also a trailer in HD.

This is as good as it is going to get for classic in digital for your home theater (film-speed runtime too) - and I really enjoyed the supplements. Le Cercle Rouge may not be Film Noir in its strictest sense but it has the same, almost addictive, appeal. Melville is just magnificent and I am so happy with this Blu-ray. This has our highest recommendation. God... this is so good.    

***

ON THE DVDs:

ADDITION (STUDIO CANAL): I think the addition of the French Studio Canal edition helps to prove that the Criterion color is off (skin tones are far too red - greenish tinge). It is most prevalent in looking at the pool table. Perhaps Criterion used that as a reference point (assuming it should be standard green) ands hence the entire DVD's color balance is messed up. Although the Studio Canal disc has good detail and sharpness, it is blocked by the brightness boosting, which appears to be quite strong. I am going with the BFI version in image color and as well as them for the Extras (commentary). Remember: the Studio Canal has no English subs on the feature or Extras !