Le Samouraï 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Le Samouraï's video presentation on the 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a significant restoration by Criterion, featuring HDR10 (no Dolby Vision) and encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec. This edition showcases the film in its original widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and utilizes Wide Color Gamut (WCG) along with High Dynamic Range (HDR), delivering a robust 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image. The restoration has resulted in an impressive level of detail, especially in daytime sequences where clarity and fine nuances, such as raindrops and intricate background elements, are profoundly enhanced. The video marvelously captures the gritty aesthetic integral to the film’s mood, with deep blacks and shadowy scenes maintaining a cohesive and authentic feel.

Though inherently dark scenes integral to the film's noir atmosphere are preserved, some viewers may notice that certain mid-tone segments, such as police line-ups and office interviews, appear slightly dimmer than anticipated. This minor quibble aside, the visual presentation is a marked improvement over older masters. The use of the original 35mm camera negative combined with internegatives and interpositives for some sections has ensured an organic, filmic render that brings unprecedented vitality to the screen. The color balance is superb, with primary grays, blues, and browns showing richer saturation and enhanced nuances that were previously understated in earlier SDR releases.

The 4K makeover has markedly elevated the overall visual quality, providing excellent image stability and sharpness in both bright and darker visuals. While a few nighttime sequences may seem slightly too dark, this remains a minor issue within an otherwise stellar presentation. The HDR grade is tastefully balanced without overwhelming the feature, enhancing the depth of field effectively in scenes with complex compositions. Overall, the restoration affirms itself as a monumental leap forward, satisfying both critics and fans with its faithful and luxurious rendering of this classic French crime drama.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Le Samouraï" features an uncompressed French LPCM monaural audio track that is both delightful and impressively dynamic. Despite the inherent limitations of a mono track, it delivers a rich and atmospheric soundscape that complements the film's moody thriller ambiance. The thorough remastering process has resulted in a pristine track, free from pops, crackles, or any noticeable damage. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized, though the film's atmosphere benefits more from the intricate sound design, which includes subtle noises like a bird in a cage, the click of keys, subway screeches, and car engine roars. The score seamlessly blends live jazz elements with muted early electronic riffs, enhancing the visuals ingeniously.

Technical details reveal that the original monaural soundtrack was meticulously remastered from the 35mm magnetic track. This faithful restoration allows the lossless track to shine without any encoding anomalies. Dynamics are handled deftly; the track wisely utilizes silence and small ambient noises over bombastic scores or sound effects. This attention to minute acoustic details ensures the audio is consistently stable and immersive. Optional English subtitles are available for non-French speakers. Although the package does not aim for conventionally showy audio demos, it exemplifies what can be achieved with minimalist but precise audio craftsmanship in a nearly 60-year-old French production.

Criterion's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of Le Samouraï presents a comprehensive selection of insightful extras, primarily centered around interviews and documentary features on the accompanying Blu-ray disc. While the 4K disc itself lacks bonus content, the extras on the Blu-ray significantly enrich the viewing experience by offering deep dives into Jean-Pierre Melville's directorial style, his relationships with actors, and the historical context of the film. The archival interviews and documentaries present authoritative perspectives, providing valuable context and background for both new viewers and long-time fans. The inclusion of a visually engaging 30-page booklet with essays and appreciations adds further depth to this meticulously curated set.

Extras included in this disc:

• Authors on Melville: Archival interviews with Rui Nogueira and Ginette Vincendeau, exploring Melville's unique qualities and career.
• The Lineup: Clips from archival interviews with cast and crew discussing Melville's style.
• Melville-Delon: d'honneur et de nuit/Of Honor and Of Night: A documentary on the relationship between Melville and Alain Delon.
• Trailer: Original French trailer for Le Samouraï.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with essays and excerpts on Melville.

Jean-Pierre Melville's seminal work, "Le Samouraï," finds its perfect vessel in Alain Delon's portrayal of Jef Costello—a minimalist assassin with an almost mythic persona. The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of this 1967 crime thriller by Criterion impeccably preserves the stylistic flourishes that have influenced scores of films, from "Drive" to "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai." Melville crafts a sparse yet poignant narrative centered around a meticulous hitman who navigates an understated Parisian landscape teeming with atmosphere and tension. Unlike modern assassin films that boast high body counts, "Le Samouraï" focuses on a singular job and its consequences, underscoring every meticulous move through extended sequences rich in detail, such as police interrogations and ambush preparations.

Melville's innovative use of sound and shadow punctuates the movie’s cool, minimalist aesthetic, elevating it beyond a mere genre piece to an iconic masterpiece. The film employs restrained dialog, using Delon's stoic yet captivating presence to full effect. His character’s spartan existence is rendered unforgettable through Henri Decae's evocative cinematography, which captures every facet of Jef Costello’s methodical life. Supporting performances by François Périer, Nathalie Delon, and Jacques Leroy provide substantial depth, though all eyes remain firmly fixed on Delon. The actor's ability to convey complexity through minimal dialogue further cements his image as the epitome of cool, imbuing the film with a timeless elegance.

"Le Samouraï" is completed by its unique interplay of western motifs integrated within an urban European setting—a rarity for gangster films of its era. The film unfolds with deliberate pacing, accentuating its characters' tasks and roles with meticulous detail, ensuring an immersive experience for viewers. The meticulous crafting of each scene allows a graceful but bold rejection of conventional gangster film tropes. This 4K UHD edition is indispensable for aficionados of cinema who seek to experience Melville’s engrossing narrative and unparalleled style in its finest form.

The 4K UHD Blu Ray release of Le Samouraï by Criterion Collection exemplifies state-of-the-art home media preservation, making it a must-have for cinephiles and collectors alike. Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and starring the iconic Alain Delon, this seminal hitman film has been meticulously restored to deliver exceptional visual fidelity and audio clarity. The 4K restoration offers viewers an enhanced, slightly darker look that stays true to the film’s original aesthetic, enriching the viewing experience with improved depth and detail.

Collectors who already possess Criterion's previous Blu-ray release will find the 4K upgrade substantially superior. The video presentation is stunningly faithful to the director's vision, capturing the nuance and meticulous framing that Melville is renowned for. HDR integration further elevates the visual quality, ensuring that contrasts are sharp and colors are more vividly rendered. While the additional features remain consistent with previous releases, they retain their value by offering comprehensive insights into the film's production and legacy.

In conclusion, Le Samouraï on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is an essential acquisition for aficionados of classic cinema and action genre enthusiasts. Criterion’s diligent restoration and quality packaging make this release a definitive version of the film, underscoring its cultural and cinematic significance. Very highly recommended.