Rider on the Rain Blu-ray Review

René Clément's "Rider on the Rain" is presented on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer, maintaining its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, courtesy of Kino Lorber. The transfer demonstrates a high-quality image presentation with fine film grain providing a film-like appearance and strong detail levels. Facial features, clothing, and scenery appear vivid and lifelike, showcasing the production's intricate details. The French version of the film particularly benefits from better color grading, with lush primaries and healthy flesh tones, producing a more visually engaging high-definition experience. Though the source elements are from older remasters used for previous DVD releases, the disk presents a blemish-free image save for occasional slight speckling in darker scenes.

The image stability is commendable, lacking problematic degraining corrections and sharpening adjustments, which contribute to an organic and natural appearance. Darker indoor footage does miss the nuanced depth that a current 2K or 4K remaster would provide, but overall the delineation remains good to very good. Black levels are robust, offering rich inky blacks and solid shadow detail, lending a nice sense of depth to the scenes. It is worth noting that some scenes involving Jobert in a white dress may appear overly contrasted and flat; however, these moments are infrequent and do not significantly impact the overall viewing experience. Image quality remains consistent across both language versions, though the French version stands out for its more accurate and pleasing color palette. For those seeking a strong audiovisual experience, this Blu-ray release of "Rider on the Rain" is a commendable effort, only falling short in a few minor instances that keep it from a perfect score.

This Blu-ray release of "Rider on the Rain" offers two primary audio tracks: French DTS-HD Master Audio and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Both tracks come with optional English and English SDH subtitles for accessibility. The French audio track is clean, stable, and well-balanced, providing good dynamic intensity in limited sequences without any dropouts or distortions. The English track exhibits a robustness and fullness that make it notably superior, with meticulous dialogue clarity and no instances of overlapping or external elements drowning out the exchanges.

The English DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix stands out with a meticulous presentation of dialogue and a film score by Francis Lai that enhances the European atmosphere while maintaining a suspenseful mood throughout the film. In contrast, the French audio track, while overall very good, occasionally presents a slightly tinny quality which sometimes diminishes the impact of key action sequences, such as door slams meant to dramatically accentuate scenes. This minor imperfection does not significantly detract from the overall experience but is noteworthy for those who might watch both versions in close succession. Overall, the English track slightly outperforms the French track, making it the preferable choice for most viewers.

The extras included in the Blu-ray of "Rider on the Rain" provide a concise yet enriching supplement to the main feature, highlighting both historical context and promotional elements. The standout feature is undoubtedly the engrossing audio commentary by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson, who delve deeply into the production details, cinematic style, and musical score by Francis Lai, offering a comprehensive exploration of the film and Charles Bronson's career. The disc also provides a collection of period-accurate trailers and promotional materials, adding a nostalgic value to the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth analysis by Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson.
• Trailer: Original French trailer with English subtitles.
• U.S. Teaser: Original U.S. teaser sourced from a VHS release.
• Radio Spot: Original U.S. radio spot.
• Trailers: Trailers for other Kino Lorber Blu-ray releases.

René Clément's "Rider on the Rain" (1970) emerges as an evocative thriller, divergent from Charles Bronson's usual action-packed oeuvre. The film expertly uses its distinct pace and narrative structure to deliver an engrossing experience. The story revolves around Mélancolie Mellie (Marlène Jobert), who leads an idyllic life until a man assaults her, compelling her to kill and dispose of his body. Soon after, Bronson's character, Harry Dobbs, arrives, demanding information about Mellie's tormentor and thus begins a gripping game of cat and mouse underpinned by multifaceted character interactions.

The filmmaker, Clément, overlays the plot with a dreamy quality. This distinctive approach offsets the inherently dark themes with elements of old-fashioned romance, creating a tonal juxtaposition that enhances the film's allure. The film's pacing is deliberate, imparting information with measured precision which keeps the audience perpetually engaged. Just as viewers settle into the rhythm, unexpected twists alter their perceptions, aligning seamlessly with a purposeful narrative logic. These narrative choices contribute to its enduring appeal and why it stood out as one of Bronson's more sophisticated performances.

Technically, "Rider on the Rain" offers two nearly identical versions—one in English and one in French. The French rendition, marginally longer by about four minutes, subtly enhances suspenseful moments. While Bronson is overdubbed in French, both versions deliver compelling viewing experiences, with the French version preferred for its nuanced delivery. Seamlessly integrating suspense and psychological depth, Clément's direction coupled with Sébastien Japrisot's screenplay ensures this film remains an essential watch for thriller enthusiasts, breaking away from stereotypical 1970s Bronson films with its inventive narrative design and atmospheric depth.

Rider on the Rain is a captivating Euro-thriller that showcases Charles Bronson alongside Marléne Jobert in a film that deftly blends intrigue and atmosphere. The film diverges from Bronson's typical action-heavy roles, presenting a more cerebral and suspenseful narrative. Both the English and French versions are included in this Blu-ray release, with many fans noting a preference for the French version. Riding on the back of a well-executed older master from StudioCanal, this Blu-ray significantly improves upon previous DVD releases in terms of visual and audio quality.

KLSC's handling of "Rider on the Rain" leaves little to be desired. The image transfer and audio mixes are of high standard, ensuring that both versions of the film are presented in their best possible form. Although bonus features are minimal, the included audio commentary provides valuable insights and adds depth to the viewing experience. The slick and twisty plot offers a series of unfolding layers that keep viewers engaged, making it an appealing thriller not just for Bronson enthusiasts but for fans of the genre in general.

There are only a couple of films in Charles Bronson's body of work that can legitimately be called arthouse thrillers, and Rider on the Rain is the best one. I like it a lot because it has different layers of atmosphere that overlap in some very interesting ways, and Marléne Jobert and Bronson have some wonderful moments together. For what it's worth, I prefer the French version of the film. This recent Blu-ray release is sourced from an older master that was provided by StudioCanal, but I think that it offers quite an upgrade over the old R2 DVD release that the studio produced ten years ago. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.