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(aka 'The Professional')
Directed by
Georges Lautner
France 1981
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French secret agent Joss Baumont (Belmondo) has been assigned the treacherous task of killing an African president; but, in a series of drastic political changes, the mission is negated. The tables turn on Baumont, as those who assigned him turn him in to the African authorities. Sentenced to long-term imprisonment, Baumont makes a daring escape with the intention of fulfilling the Secret Service’s murderous request as a reprisal and setting up a thrilling showdown. |
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Theatrical Release: October 21st, 1981
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DVD Review: Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC
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| Distribution | Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:47:48 | |
| Video | 1.66:1
Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.86 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | French (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB English (Dolby Digital 2.0) | |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, None | |
| Features |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Trailer
(2:09) |
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| Comments: |
Le Professionnel ('The Professional') has been available on DVDs in France and US. I have a Universal/Studio Canal single-layered PAL disc with an optional English DUB but no subtitles HERE - COMPARED below). It was previously accessible in North America, for years, via a very limited Image Entertainment DVD transfer HERE - now out-of-print and fetching too-high prices. I was never happy with what I had heard of the Image Entertainment DVD nor what I knew of the French DVD that I owned - the DUB was poor, - there was plenty of speckles, the image seemed far too bright and now I can see occasionally cropped as well. Both transfers are anamorphic in the correct 1.66:1 aspect ratio but I am happy to have the optional English subtitles. There is something a miss with the image quality of both - the Lions Gate looks too green with a low bitrate but I think it is, shamefully, the best that I have seen Le Professionnel on DVD to date. Audio is an unremarkable 2.0 channel in original French with the choice of the ineffectual, almost laughable, English DUB. Stay with the subs.
No extras save a trailer but GREAT film! You can't imagine anyone but Belmondo in this role. While made in the early 80's it still has that 70's rough and ready dynamic feel. If you haven't had the chance to indulge in this action/thriller - with doses of politic - then you may as well give the Lions Gate a spin. Still far from pristine but I had a ball re-watching Le Professionnel. It deservers a better edition - even Blu-ray but I suppose this is all we are getting. |
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Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Studio Canal/Universal - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
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Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Studio Canal/Universal - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM
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| DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC | |
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