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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (September 2021): Kino have transferred Claude Chabrol's Blue Panther to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative". The source density can look a bit compromised in the opening third of the film but the image gains deeper black levels and richer colors in the final 2/3rds. It is very thick with plenty of consistent film grain. It is housed on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and any imperfections (occasionally less-naturally flat) seem a result of the original camera negative. I enjoyed the visuals - a heavy, film-like appearance that suits the viewing experience.    

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original French language. Blue Panther has aggressive sequences with attacks but rarely any gunfire. The audio has similar rough edges to the video, but nothing I found fatally distracting - it lacks a smoothness, would be how I describe it. The score is credited to Gregorio García Segura and Pierre Jansen (Claude Chabrol's Line of Demarcation, The Third Lover, Ophelia, Ten Days Wonder, Le Boucher, La femme infidèle and Les Biches to name a few), adding flavor to the film's thriller intentions. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by my favorite trio; Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson. Once again they go pretty deep looking at Blue Panther evoking the Dr Mabuse films, The Lady Vanishes, Costa Gavras, Terence Young (From Russia With Love), Stanley Donen, Bogdanovich's What's Up Doc, some Blake Edwards work and many more. They identify Chabrol's cameo as well as commenting on many of the stylized montages. Howard reads from Robin Wood's review of Joseph Losey's Modesty Blaise both disagreeing with the critique while finding positive similarities with Blue Panther. The talk about Marie Laforêt - her singing career (she sold more than 35 million albums) and how effective she is in the strong character role of Marie-Chantal Froidevaux des Chatenets, Stéphane Audran (Chabrol's wife from 1964 - 1980), the director himself and many others. It's at their own highly interesting probing level of filmmaker language, intent and subtext. There are also a handful of trailers but none for Blue Panther.  

I found Claude Chabrol's Blue Panther very intriguing - much less a comedy than I was anticipating and more a stylish, serious, master-criminal thriller - touching occasional 'spoof status' . It has an impressively strong female lead of Marie-Chantal. I wish it was a series with Marie Laforêt. It's unique in a few regards certainly also evoking memories of films beyond this euro-centric genre. The Kino Blu-ray has the "4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative" providing the best appearance the film is likely to ever get in this format, 24-bit audio and an expert commentary. We, absolutely, recommend!

Gary Tooze