Black Moon Blu-ray Review

Louis Malle's "Black Moon" receives a Blu-ray release from Criterion with a 1080p transfer, presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, benefiting from a meticulous restoration process. The film's new high-definition digital transfer was sourced from the original 35mm camera negative, utilizing MTI's DRS system, Pixel Farm's PFClean system, and Digital Vision's DVNR system for extensive clean-up and noise reduction. Telecine supervision was handled by Richard Deusy at Scanlab, Paris, with Blu-ray mastering by Radius60, Los Angeles.

Detail reproduction is particularly robust during close-ups, with stable contrast levels throughout. Although there aren't significant color reproduction issues, some viewers might notice slightly boosted greens in the second half of the film compared to the first half. Despite slight traces of mild sharpening and light electronic noise occasionally being visible, these minor imperfections are near impossible to detect during regular motion playback.

The enduring presence of a light grain layer maintains the film's authentic texture, although there is an occasional, processed look to certain scenes suggesting minor enhancement. Overall, the film’s visual integrity is upheld with no significant damage marks or heavy erosion evident, thanks to Criterion's rigorous restoration efforts. The color palette is intentionally muted and drab to complement the film’s dark and overcast stylistic intentions, yet momentary bursts of vibrancy, particularly with greens, do occur. Black levels occasionally fluctuate but are generally solid without appearing unnatural. Criterion’s presentation preserves the original photography with fidelity, delivering a largely filmic appearance despite minor sporadic electronic qualities in a few shots. This dedication results in a strong viewing experience, especially on larger screens.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Black Moon" offers two primary audio tracks: an uncompressed English LPCM 1.0 and a French Dolby Digital 1.0. The English LPCM track is accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles. It is worth noting that the monaural soundtrack has been remastered at 24-bit from the original 35mm sound negative, with extensive efforts made to manually remove clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum via Pro Tools HD, while crackle was reduced using AudioCube's integrated workstation.

"Black Moon" is a predominantly dialogue-free film with extensive quiet sequences; the limited dialogue present is clear and free of distortions. However, the dialogue appears to be post-synchronized, leading to occasional syncing issues—an artifact of the original filmmaking process. Despite these inherent limitations, speech generally remains technically crisp except for characters like the unicorn, whose dialogue sounds hollow and mumbled. Sound effects enhance the ambiance effectively through a single audio channel, offering decent dynamics that maintain aural contrast between quieter whispers and louder screeches. Bass activity is minimal, with only marginal low-frequency presence during earlier war scenes.

Overall, the audio quality in "Black Moon" is serviceable, albeit somewhat thin. There are minor inconsistencies in element balance, with certain lines mixed too low; however, the monaural track adequately supports the film’s auditory needs. While it may not exhibit standout audio qualities or the immersive experience of modern multi-channel soundtracks like Dolby Atmos, it faithfully represents the original production's auditory intent.

Criterion offers a modest yet insightful collection of extras for "Black Moon" on Blu Ray, providing a deeper look into Louis Malle's avant-garde film. The highlight is an archival interview from the French program "Pour le Cinema," where Malle delves into his artistic intentions and the film's thematic elements. This is complemented by a 34-photo stills gallery showcasing behind-the-scenes moments, and the original theatrical trailer, which intriguingly mirrors the opening scene of the film. Additionally, a 16-page illustrated booklet is included, featuring an essay by Ginette Vincendeau, which provides scholarly context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Pour le Cinema: Excerpt of a French TV interview where director Louis Malle discusses the film's abstract nature and symbolism.
• Stills Gallery: Thirty-four behind-the-scenes photos from the movie’s production.
• Trailer: The original French theatrical trailer.
• Booklet: An illustrated booklet with an essay by Ginette Vincendeau on Louis Malle and "Black Moon."

Louis Malle's "Black Moon" is a highly polarizing work that showcases his foray into the realms of surrealistic cinema. The film, set against a dystopian backdrop of unknown war, follows the surreal journey of a young woman, Lily (Cathryn Harrison), who stumbles upon a mysterious house where bizarre and illogical encounters ensue. Malle's intention is less about weaving a coherent narrative and more about plunging the viewer into an abstract, almost hallucinatory experience reminiscent of the works of Lewis Carroll. However, the film often falters in maintaining the delicate balance between stunning surrealism and narrative coherence. Despite this, Svens Nykvist's award-winning cinematography successfully captures the ethereal beauty and dreamlike quality of the setting.

The film attempts to establish an eerie ambiance with its opening scenes, depicting Lily driving through a hauntingly ambiguous war zone before reaching the enigmatic house. The mysterious atmosphere, bolstered by captivating visual storytelling, initially holds promise. Unfortunately, the film’s surreal elements quickly devolve into a series of disjointed and often unremarkable sequences. Characters' interactions become monotonous and detract from the overall narrative experience. The presence of talking rats, philosophizing unicorns, and inexplicably odd human behaviors add layers of peculiarity but fail to infuse the story with compelling depth. Most dialogues come off as pretentious rather than profound, rendering the film’s attempt at surrealism somewhat hollow.

While "Black Moon" certainly lays a groundwork rich with potential for abstract exploration, it ultimately falls short of achieving the profundity or captivating imagery exhibited by masters of surrealism like Luis Bunuel or David Lynch. The lack of compelling characters and cohesive plot makes the film more of an avant-garde experiment than a successful cinematic piece. Connoisseurs of surreal cinema may appreciate its oddities, but general audiences could find its fragmentary structure and obscure symbolism more perplexing than enchanting.

Louis Malle's "Black Moon" is an enigmatic exploration of surrealism, encapsulated beautifully in this Criterion Collection Blu-ray release. With its striking visual flair and a narrative that defies conventional storytelling, the film offers a unique cinematic experience. The restoration efforts are commendable, presenting the film with impressive clarity and vibrant colors. The audio quality is equally notable, providing an immersive experience.

While the film may not cater to everyone's taste, as it thrives on ambiguity and abstract imagery, it is undeniably fascinating for those who appreciate unconventional filmmaking. "Black Moon" features some deeply imaginative and visually arresting scenes that linger in one's mind, underscoring Malle's penchant for the bizarre and fantastical.

However, the Blu-ray release does fall short in terms of supplemental materials. Despite this minor drawback, the release stands out as a solid option for enthusiasts of Malle's work and collectors of avant-garde cinema. The film's dreamlike sequence and peculiar cast of characters, including a talking unicorn, contribute to its cult status.

Louis Malle's Black Moon is a truly bizarre but beautiful film, definitely a product of its time. Like Bernardo Bertolucci's "Partner" and Dusan Makavejev's "Sweet Movie," it's best not to overanalyze it, as it's clearly meant to be experienced rather than understood. Incredibly difficult to see in the past, "Black Moon" is now available on Blu-ray via the Criterion Collection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.