Panique Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Julien Duvivier's "Panique" boasts a commendable 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, maintaining the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. This presentation is the result of a diligent 2K restoration conducted by TF1 in 2015, utilizing a Scanity film scanner to create a digital transfer from a 35mm nitrate fine-grain. Supervising the process was Celine Charrenton, with color grading by Jerome Bigueur in France. Despite the film's age, the restoration team has ensured impressive clarity and delineation, effectively minimizing surface damage and preserving the filmic essence of the original print.

The image quality of "Panique" is notably striking. The transfer balances lush and gritty textures to reflect the movie’s complex atmospheres effectively. Grain is consistently present but not intrusive, maintaining an authentic filmic feel. Noteworthy is the excellent shadow delineation and deep, inky blacks that highlight the film’s noir aesthetic while portraying exterior scenes with a raw, harsh look. Contrast levels are robust, and gray scale variance is well-managed to offer a significant depth of field. While reel transitions sometimes reveal density fluctuations, stabilization efforts make these nearly negligible. However, it's worth mentioning a persistent vertical line appearing around the 68-minute mark and some occasional softness in close-ups. Despite these minor imperfections, the transfer successfully melds noir and naturalistic elements into a seamless, visually pleasing whole.

Overall, the restoration brings out the intended visual style with great detail, especially in handling highlights and shadows. The fluidity of the presentation remains consistent, offering viewers a more immersive experience that retains the historical and stylistic essence of the original film. Note that this is a Region-A locked Blu-ray release, requiring compatible playback hardware.

The audio presentation on this Blu-ray release of "Panique" is anchored by a single French LPCM 1.0 track, supplemented with optional English subtitles for the main feature. The track was meticulously restored from a 35 mm duplicate soundtrack positive, with supplemental sections sourced from a 35 mm duplicate soundtrack negative where necessary. The audio quality is notably clear and stable, and while there are detectable inconsistencies addressed with digital tools, these do not detract significantly from the overall listening experience.

While subtle unevenness is apparent during musical sequences, this restoration manages to eliminate serious distortions and background hiss that may have plagued earlier versions. The remaining 'thinness' in the audio can likely be attributed to the limitations inherent in the original sound elements. Notably, the restoration has also eradicated any age-related artifacts such as pops or crackles. The audio effects remain crisp and well-defined, benefiting from a wide dynamic scale that ensures the music score has ample space to resonate. Moreover, dialogue is clearly prioritized amidst these elements, offering a balanced and immersive auditory experience that complements the film's visuals without drawing excessive attention to itself.

The extras included in the Blu-ray release of "Panique" are a well-curated selection of high-quality supplements that add value for film enthusiasts. A standout featurette, "The Art of Subtitling," delves into the intricate challenges of translating literary works to film subtitles, featuring insights from Bruce Goldstein on the philosophy and technique behind them. In an enlightening interview with Pierre Simenon, the son of novelist Georges Simenon sheds light on his father's literary legacy and the adaptation challenges faced in "Panique." Additionally, critics Guillemette Odicino and Eric Libiot offer a deep dive into the film’s production history, thematic elements, and Julien Duvivier’s stylistic approach in their detailed conversation. A Rialto Pictures re-release trailer is also included, providing a contemporary perspective on this classic film.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Art of Subtitling: Bruce Goldstein discusses translation challenges.
• Pierre Simenon: Insights from Georges Simenon's son.
• Guillemette Odicino and Eric Libiot: Critic discussion on production history.
• Trailer: Rialto Pictures' re-release trailer.

Julien Duvivier's "Panique" (1946) is a standout within the genre of film noir, providing an engrossing examination of social dynamics wrapped in a murder mystery. Brought to Blu-ray by Criterion with a 2K restoration from French label TF1, the film dazzles with its visual presentation and audio clarity. Criterion's release includes a host of supplements such as new interviews and essays that offer insightful context. Set in a quaint Parisian suburb, the story centers on the murder of a middle-aged woman, arousing suspicions among residents and leading to a witch hunt against the eccentric Monsieur Hire (portrayed by Michel Simon). His obsession with neighbor Alice (Viviane Romance), a recently released convict, turns tragic as she maneuvers him into the role of prime suspect, amplifying the town's xenophobic paranoia.

Duvivier’s direction intricately blends style and substance, crafting an atmosphere filled with tension and eeriness, accentuated by voyeuristic elements and carnival scenes reminiscent of Hitchcock. The film's themes are deeply rooted in post-WWII unease, showcasing parallels between the community’s behavior and wartime prejudices. Visual storytelling is paramount in "Panique," employing creative cinematography that often evokes a Hitchcockian aesthetic. The performances are impeccable; Simon embodies the lonely, introverted outsider with poignant depth while Romance delivers a compelling femme fatale—manipulative yet seemingly fragile. Their interplay magnifies the film’s exploration of moral ambiguity and societal cruelty.

"Panique" remains an essential work for noir enthusiasts due to its freedom from the moral constraints typical of American noirs of the era, injecting edginess and unpredictability often missing from its Hollywood counterparts. The movie's raw portrayal of human follies amidst a seemingly civilized community makes it a fascinating study of character and societal failure, superbly delivered through Duvivier’s masterful direction and Criterion’s lavish Blu-ray presentation.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Panique," Julien Duvivier's masterful adaptation of Georges Simenon's popular novel, is a cinematic treasure that film noir enthusiasts should not miss. This visually arresting and emotionally resonant film delves deep into complex societal themes that remain pertinent today. The storyline, revolving around a murder and a manipulative femme fatale, transcends the confines of a typical noir narrative, presenting a compelling critique of social paranoia and collective hysteria.

The Blu-ray edition, derived from a meticulous 2K remaster by TF1 in France, delivers exceptional visual and audio quality. The rich grayscale cinematography is captured with stunning clarity, preserving the atmospheric shadows and intricate details that are hallmarks of the genre. The sound design, equally impressive, ensures that dialogue, score, and ambient noise are all reproduced with remarkable fidelity. Criterion has also included a robust selection of high-quality supplements that enrich the viewing experience, providing valuable context and insight into the film’s production and enduring significance.

The most unsettling thing about Julien Duvivier's cinematic adaptation of Georges Simenon's popular novel is that the witch hunt that is chronicled in it is just as easy to stage now. Obviously the mechanics behind its initiation would be slightly different, but anyone that might be under the assumption that Western societies have done all that is necessary to prevent it from happening in a contemporary setting simply isn't paying attention to the news cycles. In fact, the very people that create these news cycles now have the unchecked power to create far greater paranoia than the one that is seen in Panique and then manage it in a way that can essentially produce an endless list of 'legitimate' monsters. The law is simply irrelevant when there are people and institutions that can produce their own facts and then manipulate the masses to believe them. Criterion's new release of Panique is sourced from a very strong 2K remaster that was produced by TF1 in France. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.