King of Hearts Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "King of Hearts" by Cohen Film Collection presents an outstanding viewing experience, built around a 4K restoration that is portrayed through an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The restoration efforts are evident, as the resulting image is remarkably clean, devoid of any major distractions due to damage or age-related issues. The well-grained field adds an organic touch that maintains integrity without any visible compression artifacts. The film’s color palette, although presenting a subtle cool tint at times, generally maintains an appealing aesthetic with a pastel quality that strikes a balance between vivid and natural tones. Flesh tones particularly stand out with their natural portrayal, despite a slight purplish tint observed in some scenes.

The depth and clarity achieved by this 4K restoration deserve special mention. The consistent detail is impressive, particularly in close-ups where facial features are accentuated to high levels of precision. Outdoor scenes benefit from this restoration with a natural light portrayal and enhanced depth of field that remains steady throughout. Contrast and sharpness are well balanced, ensuring that the image never appears soft or blurry. Black levels are rich and offer excellent separation, even in dimly lit or night scenes, while color reproduction remains bright and vivid without over-saturation issues. Thanks to these technical achievements, the video presentation avoids noise, dirt, artifacts, or banding, making it a standout example of classic film restoration done right.

The Blu-ray presentation of "King of Hearts" is anchored by an LPCM 2.0 mono audio track, predominantly in French with occasional passages in English, accompanied by forced English subtitles. As highlighted in the commentary by Wade Major, a significant portion of the film was dubbed, given the multilingual cast. However, meticulous post-production looping ensures that sync issues are minimal. The dialogue is delivered cleanly and effectively without distortion or damage, bolstered by Georges Delerue's evocative score, creating a seamless auditory experience.

The high-resolution LPCM 2.0 soundtrack (48 kHz/24-bit) is self-contained to the front speakers, effectively balancing dialogue, music, and both on-screen and off-screen sound effects. This clear and precise delivery is further underscored by the absence of clipping or distortion, ensuring a pristine listening experience. The track's dynamics are robust, offering a vibrant audio presentation that remains true to the film's original sound design.

Dialogue reproduction is notably crisp, making the various spoken languages intelligible without issue. While the film predominantly presents French dialogue, the incorporation of German and English adds to the multilingual texture without compromising clarity. Overall, this LPCM 2.0 track provides an impressive and immersive auditory experience for "King of Hearts", complementing the film's visual narrative with finesse.

The Blu-ray release of "King of Hearts" boasts an impressive array of supplemental content, providing an insightful and comprehensive look into the film. The highlight is an engaging feature-length audio commentary by renowned film critic Wade Major, known for his work with KPCC and DigiGods. It offers in-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes information. New interviews with key figures such as Geneviève Bujold and cinematographer Pierre Lhomme provide valuable anecdotes and biographical details, although Lhomme's English can be a bit challenging to follow. Additionally, there is an interview with Michelle de Broca that is presented in voiceover, exclusive to this edition. Rounding out the extras are trailers for the 2018 UK theatrical release and re-releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Length Audio Commentary by Wade Major: In-depth analysis and behind-the-scenes insights by KPCC and DigiGods critic.
• New Conversation - Genevieve Bujold and Anne Thompson: Bujold discusses her experiences with Indiewire's Anne Thompson.
• New Interview with Cinematographer Pierre Lhomme: Lhomme shares production anecdotes and biographical information.
• Interview with Michelle de Broca: Producer and ex-wife of the director discusses her experiences, exclusive to this edition.
• 2018 Re-Release Trailer: Preview of the re-release.
• French Re-Release Trailer: Preview of the French re-release.

"King of Hearts" (1966), directed by Philippe de Broca, provides a visually captivating yet whimsically poignant depiction of war's folly, set against the backdrop of a deserted French village during World War I. The protagonist, Scottish soldier Charles Plumpick (Alan Bates), is tasked with diffusing a German-planted bomb, only to find himself amidst the escaped inmates of a local insane asylum. These vibrant characters assume the roles of the evacuated villagers, presenting a surreal, allegorical examination of sanity and the absurdities of warfare. The character dynamics, particularly the sweet but understated romance between Plumpick and Poppy (Geneviève Bujold), add an emotive layer that complements the overarching anti-war sentiment.

The film's thematic exploration positions it within the absurdist film movement, drawing comparisons to titles like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" and "The Ninth Configuration." Employing the “Macguffin” plot device, de Broca crafts a narrative that veils its deeper anti-war critique beneath a façade of steady whimsy and rich visual splendor. The absurdity and satirical moments echo the spirit of Dr. Strangelove, resonating with audiences in 1960s America during the Vietnam War era. This historical context undoubtedly contributed to its initial cult following in Art House theatres, despite its lackluster reception in France.

The film’s aesthetic and performative strengths are bolstered by stellar performances from Bates and Bujold, alongside an ensemble cast of international character actors. Its succinct runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes ensures a tight, impactful narrative that never overstays its welcome. Despite some overt allegorical tendencies, "King of Hearts" weaves an engaging tapestry that juxtaposes whimsy with profound social commentary, making it both a memorable and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

The Blu-ray release of "King of Hearts" is a compelling package that blends charming performances, high-quality technical specifications, and substantial supplementary features. Under the direction of Philippe de Broca, the film oscillates between light-hearted absurdism and earnest allegory, ultimately presenting a narrative that showcases the nuanced performances of its talented cast. While some may argue that the film's message and chaotic presentation are at times too overt and less effective as a cohesive narrative, these same elements lend a unique charm to individual scenes.

The quality of the Blu-ray transfer deserves special mention. The video and audio specifications are outstanding, offering a viewing experience that truly immerses the audience in the film's whimsical world. meticulously handled, ensures that UK audiences get to experience the film in its full glory. Additionally, the supplementary materials enrich the viewing experience: an insightful audio commentary by Wade Major, a 14-minute interview with Geneviève Bujold reflecting on the film's lasting impact, and a 24-minute interview with cinematographer Pierre Lhomme, albeit occasionally hard to understand, offer depth and context. The inclusion of both English and French re-release trailers rounds out a robust set of extras.

In conclusion, while some aspects of "King of Hearts" may divide opinions as to its ultimate effectiveness as an allegory or narrative, the film’s inherent goodness and emotional appeal are undeniable. This Blu-ray release, bolstered by top-notch technical merits and enriching supplementary features, comes highly recommended.