State of Siege Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Costa-Gavras' "State of Siege" is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 with a 1080p transfer, utilizing MPEG-4 AVC encoding. Criterion's meticulous restoration, supervised by Costa-Gavras himself, involved a 2K digital transfer from the 35mm original camera negative executed at Eclair Laboratories in France. This technical craftsmanship has yielded remarkable results in several areas. The film exhibits exceptional detail and image depth, particularly in scenes with abundant natural light. Close-ups are rendered with impressive clarity, showcasing intricate facial features and costume details, while large panoramic shots also exhibit excellent image precision.

The new color grading is one of the most significant upgrades in this restoration. The revised color scheme favors strong blues and grays, bringing enhanced vibrancy and balance to the visuals. Despite these improvements, some sequences may appear somewhat flat due to the extensive regrading, affecting contrast and depth. However, such instances are infrequent and do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. Skin tones remain natural, black levels are deep and inky, and grain is finely and evenly distributed throughout. The restoration process has been highly effective in eliminating any debris, scratches, or stains, contributing to an outstanding overall image stability.

In conclusion, while minor fluctuations related to the original cinematography are present and certain sequences may experience reduced definition due to regrading, the 2K restoration of "State of Siege" remains a significant achievement. It preserves the integrity of the original while providing a fresh and visually compelling experience. Criterion's efforts ensure that this classic film retains its historical value while benefiting from modern digital restoration techniques.

The Blu-ray release of "State of Siege" features a single French LPCM 1.0 audio track, with some portions in English, accompanied by optional English subtitles. This newly remastered track has undergone meticulous enhancement to eliminate imperfections, resulting in a rich and impressive audio experience despite the absence of stereo or 5.1 options. The balance of the audio is exceptional, with outstanding depth and clarity present throughout the film.

Mikis Theodorakis' score, although not dominant, is effectively employed to enhance the narrative, opening up at pivotal moments to augment the film's atmosphere. Dialogue delivery is notably clean, stable, and easy to follow. Additionally, the English subtitles are excellently handled, ensuring a seamless viewing experience for non-French speakers. Criterion’s commitment to quality is evident, as the track is completely free from pops, cracks, and hiss, maintaining a top-notch audio standard.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "State of Siege" provide profound insights into the film’s creation and its historical context. A standout is the 32-minute filmed conversation between director Costa-Gavras and film historian Peter Cowie. This discussion, exclusively recorded for Criterion, covers the production challenges, contributions from Franco Solinas, and the casting of Yves Montand. The conversation also delves into real-life political events, cinematographer Pierre-William Glenn's work, and the film's reception. Additionally, excerpts from NBC News broadcasts offer a gripping recount of the kidnapping case that inspired the film’s main character. These extras enrich the viewer's understanding of both the film and its significant historical backdrop.

Extras included in this disc:

• Costa-Gavras and Peter Cowie: Director Costa-Gavras discusses the film’s origins, casting, and production.
• NBC News Broadcast on Dan A. Mitrione: Excerpts provide historical context about the real-life events depicted.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by journalist Mark Danner.

Costa-Gavras' State of Siege, recognized by the Golden Globe Awards, stands as a seminal critique of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America during the early 1970s. Infused with historical authenticity, the narrative revolves around the kidnapping of U.S. official Philip Michael Santore (Yves Montand) by a radical leftist group in an unnamed South American country. Shot in Chile with the support of Salvador Allende, the film recreates the tumultuous real-life events of Montevideo, Uruguay, where the Tupamaros guerilla group captured three foreign diplomats and demanded the release of political prisoners. The ensuing tragic events reflect the period's intense socio-political unrest.

Costa-Gavras's directorial approach is meticulous, using overlapping flashbacks to underscore ideological conflicts rather than the mechanics of kidnapping. The exchanges between Santore and his captors highlight deep-rooted tensions and expose inconsistencies in U.S. interventionist policies. These dialogues, fraught with tension, maintain an unrelenting pace without necessitating a deep recall of every factual detail; the broader socio-political commentary remains centric. The collaboration with Franco Solinas on the script enriches this narrative with authenticity, while Pierre-William Glenn’s cinematography and Mikis Theodorakis’s score enhance the film's immersive quality.

The visual execution of State of Siege benefits from a significant budget, allowing Costa-Gavras to employ extensive extras and create grand-scale, authentic scenes. Most notably, the large-scale siege scenes feature hundreds of actors and unsuspecting civilians, achieving remarkable realism. Particularly striking are overhead shots that display the meticulous coordination of these sequences. Disturbing yet effective are scenes where U.S. operatives instruct local authorities in torture techniques, embedding a visceral impact on viewers. State of Siege is not just a film but a historical document that captures the conflict and complexity of one of Latin America's most turbulent times.

Costa-Gavras' "State of Siege" meticulously captures the intensity and complexity of a hostage crisis in a nameless South American country, turning a lens on U.S. intervention in the region during the tumultuous early 1970s. This gripping narrative is enriched by its examination of clashing ideologies, presenting arguments that resonate with contemporary political discourses. The Criterion release brings this film to home viewers through a recent 2K restoration, supervised by Costa-Gavras himself. Despite some concerns regarding the restoration's ultimate fidelity to the original vision, "State of Siege" remains an essential addition for cinephiles and historians alike.

The film's portrayal of not only the events but also the broader political context paints a vivid picture of the era, emphasizing the volatility and violence that characterized the period in Uruguay, including the involvement of American officials. Criterion's release enhances this experience with excellent video and audio quality, ensuring that the meticulous directorial efforts are preserved and presented with remarkable clarity. Additionally, the included supplementary materials are insightful, adding significant value to this already compelling package.

Concluding, "State of Siege" is more than a cinematic exploration; it serves as a historical and political document that provokes thought and discussion. The Criterion edition, despite minor reservations about the restoration, does justice to Costa-Gavras' vision with its high-quality presentation and well-curated extras. This release is an unequivocal recommendation for those who value both its artistic merit and its historical significance.