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

ADDITION: Second Run Blu-ray (January 2021): Second Run have transferred Albert Serra's Liberté to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "High Definition director-approved presentation of the complete uncut and uncensored version of the film". Yes, it's uncensored alright. The general look of the film utilizes very low lighting - representing darkness in the woods. It comes through as pleasingly textured. It's flat, probably shot on HD and has no gloss. This is accurate to the director's intentions - the lighting, costumes, make-up... giving a vérité impression of 1700's France. It is not meant to appear tight, bright and crisp.

NOTE: We have added 30 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Second Run give the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (16-bit) and a 2.0 linear PCM track (24-bit) in the original French language. There is only a minor few instances of separation (background of the woods etc.) but the dialogue and 'thrashings' are clearly audible. Second Run offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Second Run Blu-ray offers both an introduction to the film by its director Albert Serra and an exclusive, newly-filmed interview with him running 1/2 hour. He comes across as artsy but there are some intelligent remarks about this project. Also included are an original theatrical trailer plus there is a 24-page booklet featuring a new essay by curator and author Jason Wood, and an interview with Albert Serra by film critic Manu Yáñez-Murillo. 

Okay, my opinion on the film:

I thankfully get exposed to a wide swath of cinema. As many know, my personal leanings are to vintage Hollywood, Noir, 50's and 60's arthouse... I've grown to appreciate Pre-code, exploitation, Silent Era - I've always loved 50-60's science-fiction and creature features, plus westerns. There is a place in my heart for Giallo and much, much more.

Liberté is none of those things. I paused it and contemplating turning it off on three separate occasions during my viewing. I knew nothing about Liberté when I started watching it. The visuals weren't so much disturbing as just disgusting and pornographic from bondage and sado-masochism, analingus, 'golden showers' and more. Personally, it eclipsed beyond my definition of 'film' from both an enjoyment and educational perspective. To say it is not my 'cup of tea' would be a vast understatement. For a very long time directors have been provocative from Alfred Hitchcock to Gaspar Noé - from Leni Riefenstahl to Pier Paolo Pasolini. But those directors are known for much more than being a provocateur. With Liberté I was unable to unearth any narrative beyond my, personal, repugnance. If that was Albert Serra's goal - then he achieved it. But the film's curiosity factory waned over the 2 1/4 hours. It's not sly commentary like Buñuel - it was really just a sophomoric French porno in the guise of intellectualism. Your opinion may differ and for the adventurous I recommend the Second Run Blu-ray. I love those guys but, in my opinion, this was a very difficult film to find value in.

Gary Tooze