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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (February 2023): Kino have transferred Mathieu Kassovitz's The Crimson Rivers (Les rivières pourpres) to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Aside from some infrequent awkward waxiness - that may well be a function of the original production - the 1080P image quality is pleasing. There is a greenish hue in some interiors, but colors show richness and there are some striking scenes. Overall the HD presentation on system was strong. There are impressive exteriors that were shot on location near Grenoble in south-eastern France.

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino offer the option of DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround tracks (24-bit) in the original French OR an English language DUB. The Crimson Rivers has many aggressive moments that are exported with keen, discrete, separation and impacting depth. There is some strongly intense scenes in the film that have a few rear speaker surprises. The impressive score is by Bruno Coulais (Casanova, Last Love, Belphegor: Phantom of the Louvre, Coraline) adding to the tension and suspense. Kino offer optional English subtitles for the feature and the French language commentary on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a commentary by Director Mathieu Kassovitz and leads Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel. It is in French with optional English subtitles. There is a lot on production specifics, the characters and a few laughs. This is the same commentary that was on Sony's 2001 DVD - that was, mistakenly, NOT subtitled. Running shy of two hours are previous featurettes; The Investigation - talking about the book adaptation, Corpse - mostly about the, graphic, effects - Fight discusses the lengthy Cassel fight sequence, Chase on the car chase sequence (avec storyboards) and Mountain focusing on the climbing scene. Lastly is a theatrical trailer. There is a reversible sleeve (see below.)

Mathieu Kassovitz's The Crimson Rivers is based on Blood-red Rivers - a novel by Jean-Christophe Grangé. In the extras we can hear Vincent Cassel admit "I can't help explain the film because I didn't understand it!" There are many fans of The Crimson Rivers. The mystery of the vagueness of plot details may work as a strange positive - existing on the action, darkness, gruesome effects and kinetic camera. There is a Luc Besson-penned sequel; Crimson Rivers II: Angels of the Apocalypse, also starring Jean Reno but without involvement of the 2000 film's creator Grangé. I suspect the original was a one-off with its infused style and energy - making it difficult to replicate. The Crimson Rivers can evoke David Fincher's Se7en or Jean-Jacques Annaud's The Name of the Rose, however this is majority in the 'build-up' not the mystery resolution. The Kino Blu-ray seems worth the wait for fans of the film - 1080P, commentary and plenty of featurette extras. I consider this a keeper.

Gary Tooze