NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Radiance Blu-ray (July 2024): Radiance have transferred Claude Berri's Tchao Pantin to Blu-ray. It is cited as from a "4K restoration by Pathé approved by cinematographer Bruno Nyutten". The 1080Pstrikes a nice balance between gritty thickness and important detail. The grain is rich and appreciated and the colors carry some pleasing depth. Perhaps a shade blue-green leaning. Still a wonderful looking HD presentation.

NOTE: We have added 56 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Radiance use a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original French language. Tchao Pantin has mopeds, motorcycles, gunshots... that come through with modest depth. The score was by Charlélie Couture (Le crime d'Antoine) - his first feature composition (performing his own Les Nuits sont trop Longues,) sounding subtle with consistent dialogue in the uncompressed transfer. Radiance offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Radiance Blu-ray include a new 7-minute introduction of Tchao Pantin by scholar and French cinema expert Dr Michael Abecassis (author of The Art of Directing: A Concise Dictionary of France’s Film Directors), exploring the significance of the film within French culture. Once Upon a Time… Tchao Pantin is a documentary recorded for French television in 2003, where Serge July explores the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of Tchao Pantin, covering the troubled personal lives of both star Coluche and director Claude Berri, while also placing the film within the context of the febrile atmosphere of 1980s French politics. It runs 52-minutes and includes interviews with Berri, Richard Anconina, Agnès Soral, Bruno Nuytten and more. Lastly is a trailer and the package has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Filippo Di Battista and a limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Manuela Lazic.

Claude Berri's Tchao Pantin is a brilliant character study. It was based on the novel by Alain Page. Italian-born Coluche is slovenly drunkard Lambert - who works the night shift at an equally downtrodden Parisian petrol station. But he carries a terrible secret. Berri (Jean De Florette / Manon Of The Spring) realizes this intriguing neo-noir with complete effectiveness. Disparate young Arab, Bensoussan (a spry Richard Anconina), oddly strikes up a friendship as he tries to bed punk gal, Lola (played by Franco-Swiss Agnès Soral.) This diverse and motley crew get in too deep and death, love and revenge are on the table. I thoroughly enjoyed Tchao Pantin entering with no expectations. The Radiance Blu-ray offers a lot - a great French neo-noir with solid a/v and extras including a documentary and booklet. Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze