ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region FREE - Blu-ray (December 11'): The improved resolution has produced a superior image via the new Blu-ray transfer. The 1080P visuals report more textured grain, better contrast, less noise and an overall more film-like image. The SD, by comparison, is flatter and more one-dimensional. It seems the Blu-ray has a shade more information at the bottom with slightly less on the top of the frame. The brighter and crisper looking HD is impressive in direct comparison. Strangely, the scratches seemed less evident via high bitrate Blu-ray - where usually the opposite is true. This is a significantly more robust improvement than I was anticipating.

Audio is given the lossless treatment. The stereo transfer is never dynamically tested in the dialogue-driven film. The segments of original music by Edgar Bischoff are notably tighter through the uncompressed rendering. Optional English subtitles are offered with narrative now in italics. The Blu-ray is Region FREE and the enclosed DVD, in the Dual-Format package, remains region 2 - PAL.

Additional to the 2007 DVD with Ginette Vincendeau's 20-minute video discussion and the 56-page liner notes booklet, we get Melville Out of the Shadows – a new French-made 42-minute documentary about Melville’s film - in 1080P and an original theatrical trailer - also in HD. Plus being 'dual-format' we get the previous DVD included in the package.

I think this is a worthy upgrade and an easy endorsement for those who don't own the original DVD. This is a compelling drama from a master filmmaker. To own it in such film-like quality with extensive extras seems essential, in my opinion.

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NOTE: Max in email says - "Just saw the Silence de la Mer DVD from MoC yesterday and it seems to me that they have slightly zoomed into the image. Some of the compositions are distinctly odd, with character's heads too close to the edge of the frame. I chalked some of that down to Melville's and Decae's inexperience (it was their first film after all), but in the end, when they frame the book, you cannot actually read some of the words because they are cut off on the right. Also the logo in the beginning suffers from the same. So it seems to me that the picture is definitely cropped."

Aside from some heavy vertical scratches - present in the beginning of the presentation - the MoC image quality is quite exceptional. Strong contrast and shadow detail and at times the transfer looks remarkably sharp. I see some, fairly unnoticeable, artifacts and nitrate blemishes but considering the age of the film (and its probable print condition) one would expect many more. This is a dual-layered, progressive digital presentation that exports the film's intent very clearly and it is much appreciated to have it now on DVD. Audio is a notch below what one might expect from MoC but aside from an extensive, and costly, restoration this is a very acceptable presentation. Optional English subtitles support the single channel French audio.   

Supplements include Ginette Vincendeau, professor of French cinema at King's College -London (and author of Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris) discussing the merits of both the film and director Melville. It is over 20 minutes and she is a bona-fide expert who transmits some excellent information further to appreciation of La Silence de la Mer. Typical of MoC releases they have also included and extensive booklet with essays by Rui Nogueira and Ginette Vincendeau. There are also a couple of pages of small photos.

Great DVD folks - strongly recommend!

Gary W. Tooze