The Red Circle 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Criterion's release of "Le Cercle Rouge" on 4K UHD Blu-ray presents a unique case study in the challenges of modern film restoration. The digital restoration, executed by StudioCanal in 4K resolution from the original 35mm camera negative and interpositive at Hiventy, France, aims for technical excellence. Utilizing a 35mm positive print for color referencing, and with additional touches by the Criterion Collection, this version benefits from meticulous attention to detail. Presented in Dolby Vision HDR on the 4K disc, the restoration endeavors to elevate the visual experience beyond its original SDR format seen on the accompanying Blu-ray. Despite these efforts and the pristine condition of the film, including excellent image stability and the absence of degraining or over-sharpening artifacts, this release is not without its controversies.

The central critique pertains to the revision of the film's color grading, which manifests as a significant departure from its native visual identity. This new grading introduces a warmer palette that starkly contrasts with the originally intended cold hues of blues and whites, pivotal for highlighting specific visual themes in the movie's narrative and setting. Such dramatic alterations not only detract from the authenticity of the cinematic experience but also affect the portrayal of shadows and darker scenes, undermining the dynamic range essential for nuanced storytelling.

Moreover, while screencaptures from both the Blu-ray and 4K UHD discs (downscaled for review) aim to showcase these changes, they also underscore the limitations in representing the authentic 4K HDR experience through compressed formats. This discrepancy highlights a broader problem within digital restorations: the delicate balance between preserving a film's original essence and embracing technological advancements. Although "Le Cercle Rouge's" video presentation in 4K UHD is technically polished and free of major transfer flaws, the contentious color regrading raises important questions about fidelity to source material in the era of high-definition restorations.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "The Red Circle" offers a singular audio experience with its French LPCM 1.0 track, complemented by optional English subtitles for non-francophone audiences. The audio presentation preserves the film's original auditory essence without introducing any modern reinterpretations or alterations. This commitment to authenticity is notable, offering an immersive experience that remains faithful to the director's vision. The track maintains a robust and clear quality throughout, ensuring that viewers can enjoy the film's audio without encountering any noticeable artefacts of ageing, regardless of the volume level.

Despite the exclusivity to a mono track, the audio quality does not wane; it delivers a consistently crisp and vibrant sound that leverages the LPCM format effectively. There is a significant preservation of dialogue clarity and ambient sounds that are pivotal to the film's atmosphere. However, when compared with previous releases, such as those from StudioCanal and Criterion, there seems to be a consensus that while the audio fidelity is indeed excellent, it does not dramatically surpass the quality found in these earlier editions. Both prior versions also provided solid and healthy audio presentations, suggesting that there has been meticulous care in maintaining the audio quality across different releases.

In terms of technical nuance and restoration, the 4K UHD Blu-Ray of "The Red Circle" stands as a testament to the enduring quality of the film's original sound design. While advancements in audio technology have introduced multichannel experiences, this release opts to honor the film's mono roots, reflecting a purist approach to film restoration and presentation. The result is an authentic auditory experience that complements the visual enhancements of the 4K transfer, ensuring that enthusiasts and new viewers alike can appreciate the film in a format that respects its historical context and artistic integrity.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Red Circle" is lauded not only for its pristine audio-visual restoration but also for a well-curated selection of extras aimed to enrich the viewing experience by offering deep dives into Jean-Pierre Melville's cinematic world. Despite the bonus features being confined to the Blu-ray disc, the collection manages to stand out through a variety of archival footage, interviews, and critical essays. Highlights include intimate episodes from "Cinéastes de notre temps" and "Pour le cinéma," where Melville, along with stars like Alain Delon, delve into their craft and the making of "Le Cercle Rouge." Bernard Stora's reflections and Rui Nogueira's insights further contribute to understanding Melville's influence and legacy. Additionally, the physical booklet provides a tangibly rich context through essays and interviews, making this edition a treasure trove for cinephiles interested in French cinema and Melville's oeuvre.

Extras included in this disc:

• Archival Footage: Various interviews and discussions from French television, offering insight into Jean-Pierre Melville's approach and the production of "Le Cercle Rouge."
• Bernard Stora: A personal recount of Stora's encounters and work with Jean-Pierre Melville.
• Rui Nogueira: A detailed interview with the author of "Melville on Melville," discussing the director's methods and influences.
• Trailer: A vintage French trailer for "Le Cercle Rouge."
• Booklet: Featuring essays, interviews, and appreciations from respected film critics and contemporaries of Melville.

Jean-Pierre Melville’s “Le Cercle Rouge,” released in 1970 and now stunningly presented on 4K UHD Blu-ray by Criterion, encapsulates the essence of French noir at its pinnacle. Renowned for its dark, minimalistic approach and refined storytelling, the film stars Alain Delon, Yves Montand, Bourvil, and Gian Maria Volonte in a narrative that explores themes of fate, honor among thieves, and the solitary paths of its protagonists. The film's presentation is meticulously mastered, preserving its stylistic integrity and enhancing its atmospheric depth, making it a vital acquisition for aficionados of classic cinema rendered in the highest fidelity. Special features include archival material and interviews that enrich the viewing experience, underscoring the movie's historical significance and Melville's profound influence on the gangster genre.

The narrative intricately weaves the lives of Corey, Vogel, and Jansen—played by Delon, Volonte, and Montand respectively—as they converge on a daring heist that tests their limits and moral compasses. Melville’s direction showcases a Paris underbelly that is both stark and romanticized, where dialogue is scarce but profoundly impactful, allowing the characters' actions to dictate their ethos. The heist sequence itself is exemplified by tension and technical wizardry, demonstrating Melville's craftsmanship and attention to detail. His ability to create a palpable atmosphere of suspense without reliance on dialogue underscores his unique storytelling prowess.

What sets “Le Cercle Rouge” apart, particularly in this 4K restoration, is not just its narrative ambition or aesthetic distinction but also its philosophical undercurrents. The absence of female characters and emphasis on male bonding and solitude reflect Melville's nuanced approach to exploring masculinity and existential dilemmas within the crime genre framework. This release, free of regional restrictions and supplemented with English subtitles, offers not only a technologically superior viewing experience but also an indispensable insight into the film’s underlying themes and Melville's legacy as a filmmaker who profoundly grasped the American cinema ethos while injecting it with distinctly French sensibilities.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Red Circle" (Le Cercle Rouge), Jean-Pierre Melville's iconic thriller, has been met with considerable anticipation. However, this release appears to have fallen short of expectations, primarily due to the handling of its visual restoration. The new 4K master, which has been disseminated to various distributors globally, seems to suffer from a poorly executed grade. This inopportune oversight has not only altered the film's native visual identity but has also introduced a series of anomalies affecting its dynamic range. The film now exhibits an uncharacteristic warmth that deviates significantly from its original aesthetic, leading to a presentation that does not fully capitalize on the potential benefits of the 4K format.

Critically, for a film of "The Red Circle's" stature—a landmark in the thriller genre—the missed opportunity to present it in the best possible light is particularly disheartening. Proper restoration could have leveraged the advancements in 4K technology to enhance its atmospheric visuals and meticulous framing, elements crucial to Melville's storytelling technique. Instead, these issues detract from the immersive experience that fans and newcomers alike would expect from such a high-definition upgrade. Detail preservation and color fidelity are essential components in transferring classic films to newer formats, yet this release struggles to meet those standards.

In conclusion, while the move to license a new 4K master for "The Red Circle" was initially promising, the execution leaves much to be desired. The resultant visual presentation introduces unwarranted warmth and dynamic range issues, compromising the film's original atmospheric integrity. For fans of Melville's work and cinephiles hoping for a definitive version of this classic thriller, this release may be seen as a missed opportunity to fully embrace the capabilities of 4K technology. Without a proper restoration effort, "The Red Circle" fails to shine as brightly as it should in its latest home video incarnation.