Alphaville 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Alphaville" by Kino Lorber is a remarkable showcase of high-quality restoration, bringing new life to Jean-Luc Godard's classic film. The disc features a brand-new 4K restoration sourced from the original 35mm camera negative, meticulously scanned and restored by StudioCanal in collaboration with Hiventy. Presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision HDR, the visuals benefit enormously from the advanced restoration techniques. The result is a striking monochrome image that confirms this as one of the finest-looking 4K UHD releases to date.

The HDR and Dolby Vision grades contribute significantly, enhancing detail in highlights and shadows. Contrast and depth are exemplary, particularly in well-lit scenes where superior sharpness and clarity are evident. Darker sequences maintain solid visual integrity with deep blacks, although nuances in shadow-dense areas can occasionally appear softer. Throughout the film, the stabilization is noticeably improved over previous releases. Film grain is retained, displayed with an appealing velvety texture that adds to the cinematic experience. The restoration showcases impressive detail, down to the minutiae of faces and surroundings without any visible artifacts or scratches.

In comparison, the included Blu-ray, adhering to a previous 2019 master, displays good quality but lacks the enhancements present in the 4K edition. This legacy disc shows slightly more contrast clipping and occasional imperfections such as dirt and scratches, alongside less effective stabilization. Overall, the 4K UHD disc represents a significant upgrade, delivering impeccable image quality with a consistently high bitrate that usually remains above 60mbps. This release sets a high standard for classic film restorations on modern home video formats.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Alphaville" offers two standard audio tracks: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. However, the English track is available exclusively on the older restoration included on the accompanying Blu-ray, rather than the 4K UHD disc. It's significant to mention that while optional English subtitles are provided for the French track, they are conspicuously absent for the English dub, which is disappointing given its historical value.

The quality of the French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track on the 4K Blu-ray is remarkable. StudioCanal has commendably restored this monaural track from the original optical soundtrack negative. The sharp stings of Paul Misraki’s score now possess stunning clarity, and intricate details such as the “belching” computer voice are more discernible, offering an immersive listening experience. The location sounds are crystal clear, further enhancing the aural landscape of the film. This comprehensive overhaul results in a monaural track that not only retains but revitalizes the original audio fidelity, delivering a superior sound experience that complements the visual restoration efforts.

While the decision to exclude the English track from the 4K UHD disc might be viewed as a notable oversight due to its historical significance, the provided French track more than compensates with its audio excellence. Both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs include optional English subtitles for non-French-speaking audiences. The enhanced quality of the French DTS-HD MA 2.0 underlines StudioCanal's commitment to preserving and enhancing "Alphaville" for contemporary audiences, making it an indispensable addition for cinephiles and audiophiles alike.

The extras on the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Alphaville" are commendably curated, offering invaluable insights into Jean-Luc Godard's enigmatic film. The primary highlight is Tim Lucas' commentary, which thoroughly explores the film’s production, stylistic choices by Godard and Raoul Coutard, and Eddie Constantine’s performance. This feature alone significantly enhances the viewing experience. Complementing this are a substantial archival introduction by Colin McCabe, offering contextual depth. Interview footage with Anna Karina adds a personal touch, delving into her experience during the film’s production. Additionally, the collection of vintage trailers provides a nostalgic glimpse into the film’s original promotional strategy. The reversible cover with vintage poster art further enriches this edition's appeal.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Archival audio commentary by Tim Lucas, offering in-depth analysis.
• Introduction: Archival video introduction by critic Colin McCabe.
• Anna Karina Interview: Archival program where Anna Karina discusses her work with Godard.
• Trailer: Vintage trailer for "Alphaville".
• Reversible Cover: Vintage poster art for "Alphaville".

Jean-Luc Godard's Alphaville (1965) stands as a unique entry in the genre-blending oeuvre of the French New Wave. Featuring Eddie Constantine as Lemmy Caution, first introduced in the film noir Poison Ivy, Alphaville takes this character out of traditional film noir territory and into a surreal, intergalactic city-state ruled by the Alpha 60 supercomputer. The film deftly merges genres — combining elements of sci-fi, noir, and political allegory — to create a disorienting but compelling experience. The plot plays second fiddle to the atmosphere, which Raoul Coutard's cinematography captures in stark black-and-white, enhancing the film's ominous, dystopian mood with haunting light and shadow contrasts.

At its core, Alphaville is as much about mood and intellectual exploration as it is about narrative. Godard uses the character of Caution and his interactions with Natacha von Braun (Anna Karina) to critique totalitarianism and examine Western society’s notions of identity and freedom. While some of Godard's socio-political commentaries may seem dated now, his bold and experimental approach remains arresting. The film's visual language, characterized by minimalist yet evocative sci-fi design elements, such as vintage recording equipment standing in for advanced technology and the eerie voice of Alpha 60, remains a standout.

Kino Lorber's 4K UHD Blu-ray release revitalizes Alphaville with a stunning new 4K restoration sourced from the original camera negative. This release only offers the original French audio track for the 4K version, encapsulating the alienating and bizarre essence that Godard intended. With an array of supplemental features including archival commentary by Tim Lucas and interviews with Anna Karina, this edition is essential for both fans of Godard and cinephiles interested in a cinematic piece that blurs the line between film noir and science fiction.

Jean-Luc Godard's "Alphaville" is an esoteric yet fascinating addition to the director's prolific 1960s oeuvre. The idiosyncratic narrative, featuring Eddie Constantine's Lemmy Caution, plunges viewers into a dystopian world that is both perplexing and intellectually stimulating. Godard adeptly juxtaposes socio-political commentary with noir-style aesthetics, resulting in a film that stimulates intellectual discourse despite its occasionally elusive coherence. The recently released 4K UHD Blu-ray by Kino Lorber offers a significant upgrade, thanks to a meticulous restoration carried out at Hiventy in France.

The 4K UHD presentation benefits vastly from StudioCanal’s new Dolby Vision master, which revitalizes the film’s stark monochrome visuals with remarkable clarity and contrast. Detail rendition is excellent, capturing minute textures and nuances that were previously obscured in lower-resolution formats. The sound quality, while inherently limited by the original mono track, remains clean and faithful to the film's period-specific atmosphere, ensuring that Godard's unique auditory landscape is preserved.

In conclusion, "Alphaville" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is a must-own for cinephiles and Godard enthusiasts. The high quality of the restoration breathes new life into one of cinema’s most unconventional science fiction pieces, making it an essential addition to any collection.