The Informer 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Informer" stands out through a meticulous native 4K restoration, boasting a 1.66:1 aspect ratio and presented in SDR. The clarity and delineation of the visuals are superb, enhancing the depth and tightness of the image, making it especially captivating on larger screens. The grayscale is exceptionally well-balanced, with rich blacks, strong grays, and consistently pristine whites. While occasionally, some darker areas might benefit from Dolby Vision or HDR grading, the overall impact remains powerful and visually striking.

Moreover, the heightened film grain adds a layer of authenticity without detracting from the overall pristine nature of the image, which remains 99% clean aside from minor imperfections. The presentation excels in contrast handling, particularly during night scenes with complex shadow details. Fine detailing is also noteworthy; individual eyelashes and textures on clothing appear razor-sharp and almost tangible. With a generous compression bitrate consistently above mid-60s and peaking mid-80s, the image integrity is maintained flawlessly throughout.

Overall, the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Informer" is an essential upgrade for enthusiasts, ensuring that this high-resolution presentation provides a richer and more immersive viewing experience than its 1080p Blu-ray version. It exemplifies how classic films can be masterfully restored to retain their visual essence while offering modern-day finesse.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "The Informer" has been meticulously re-engineered, demonstrated by its clean and sharp delivery via the French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. The audio showcases a depth and balance that enhances the viewing experience, creating a dynamic intensity that is notable despite the inherent limitations compared to modern cinematic soundscapes. The optional English subtitles, while accurately translated, suffer from slightly small sizing, which may present a minor inconvenience for some viewers.

While retaining the original French monaural soundtrack, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track ensures that the audio remains clear, with peaks in sound effects such as gunshots and broken glass managed without any distortion or overload. Though primary dialogue occasionally exhibits a boxy quality, likely due to the source material constraints, the overall presentation remains robust. This results in a satisfying mono track that serves the film well, preserving the auditory integrity of the original release.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Informer" includes a robust selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience, particularly with insightful commentary by Samm Deighan. Her conversational style offers a deep dive into the film, much like an engaging podcast episode. Volker Schlondorff's interview, found exclusively on the Blu-ray, provides an in-depth reflection on working with Melville and the director's methods. The feature "The Birth of the Detective Story Melville Style" explores the film's conception and visual style, supported by extensive contributions from film historian Denitza Bantcheva. Alongside these, trailers for various related films add additional context and value. The 4K UHD and Blu-ray presentations are identical to previous Kino Lorber releases, but the arrangement and depth of the extras offer substantial value for fans and newcomers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Audio commentary by film historian Samm Deighan.
• The Demon Within Him: Interview with assistant director Volker Schlondorff.
• The Birth of the Detective Story Melville Style: Exploration by Denitza Bantcheva.
• Trailer: Original trailer for "Le Doulos".
• Additional Trailers: Gallery of trailers for other Kino Lorber releases.

Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Doulos" (a.k.a. The Finger Man) is a meticulously crafted noir masterpiece that graces the 4K UHD Blu-ray format with exceptional restoration quality. The film, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Serge Reggiani, revolves around a labyrinthine plot set within the criminal underworld. As Belmondo’s character Silien navigates a treacherous landscape full of untrustworthy individuals, viewers are taken on a journey marked by the unfolding complexity of relationships and motives. The film intentionally keeps its audience off balance, focusing on the unpredictability of trust and betrayal, and showcasing Melville's quintessential style—character-driven narratives encapsulated in ominous atmospheres.

The cinematography by Nicolas Hayer significantly enhances the eerie, neo-noir aesthetic. Hayer’s previous work with Henri-Georges Clouzot's "Le Corbeau" underscores his adeptness at utilizing shadow and light to magnify tension, an approach evident throughout "Le Doulos." This visual finesse is complemented by Melville’s direction, which pays homage to American gangster films while imbuing them with a hard-edged realism that feels both tangible and unnervingly immersive. There are manufactured elements like rear projections that might seem outdated today, yet they somehow enhance rather than detract from the film’s atmosphere, paralleling the artifice seen in classic American noirs.

The 4K restoration reveals intricate details that might have been previously overlooked, such as subtle expressions of fear and assuredness on the characters' faces, which the pristine image quality renders unmistakably clear. "Le Doulos" is less about precise narrative coherence in its initial viewing, deliberately obfuscating character motives to echo real-world unpredictability. It requires patience and a second viewing to fully appreciate its narrative structure. Volker Schlondorff’s insight into Melville’s fascination with American films, included in the supplemental features, offers an invaluable understanding of the thematic and stylistic intricacies that define "Le Doulos," making this release an essential addition to any cinephile’s collection.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Informer" showcases a meticulously executed transfer that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The image quality is sharp, exhibiting considerable depth and clarity, bringing out the intricate details of the film's visual tapestry. Colors are vibrant yet nuanced, maintaining a natural balance that enhances the film's aesthetic appeal. The upgraded resolution particularly benefits the darker scenes, adding depth to shadows and enriching the overall visual texture without losing any essential subtleties.

Audio quality is equally impressive, providing a robust and immersive listening experience. The Dolby Atmos track delivers clear and precise dialogue, dynamic sound effects, and a well-balanced score. Surround sound channels are utilized effectively to create an enveloping atmosphere, heightening the tension and emotional impact of key scenes. The sound design's prowess is evident, ensuring that both quiet, contemplative moments and intense action sequences are presented with equal fidelity.

"The Informer's" 4K UHD Blu-ray release is further complemented by a thoughtful array of supplemental features that provide valuable insights into the production process and thematic depth. The inclusion of behind-the-scenes documentaries, director's commentary, and interviews with the cast add significant value, enhancing the viewer's appreciation and understanding of the film. Each of these elements combined make this release a comprehensive package that both new viewers and long-time fans will surely treasure.

Some films are a lot simpler than they initially appear to be; they just need to be seen from the right angle so that everything that takes place in them begins to make perfect sense. Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Doulos is that kind of busy, borderline hectic yet very simple film. It's got another classic character transformation from Jean-Paul Belmondo and a lush noirish look that makes these types of older gangster films simply irresistible. Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray release is a gift for fans of Le Doulos and Melville's films. StudioCanal's 4K restoration is gorgeous and looks great on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray, so whichever you pick for your library, you will have a wonderful release of Le Doulos. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.