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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Fugitifs, Les (1986)

Fugitifs, Les (1986)

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Released 16-Aug-2006

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Comedy Main Menu Audio
Theatrical Trailer-Les Fugitifs
Trailer- Madman Propaganda
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 1986
Running Time 79:10 (Case: 95)
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Francis Veber
Studio
Distributor

Madman Entertainment
Starring Pierre Richard
Gérard Depardieu
Jean Carmet
Maurice Barrier
Jean Benguigui
Roland Blanche
Anaïs Bret
Philippe Lelièvre
Yveline Ailhaud
Didier Pain
Marc Adjadj
Alain Algara
Eric Averlant
Case Amaray-Opaque-Secure Clip
RPI $24.95 Music Vladimir Cosma


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None French Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
French Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.66:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.66:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English Smoking Yes
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

Jean Lucas (Depardieu) has recently been released from prison for armed robbery. Lucas tells the arresting police officers who tail him that he is a changed man and has left his life of crime. In disbelief the police officers leave Lucas as he enters a bank. While in the bank Lucas is taken hostage by a spontaneous bank robber. Outside, the police cannot believe Lucas has not had anything to do with the heist and as he is now a suspected criminal, Lucas leaves the crime scene with the bank robber. The bank robber turns out to be François Pignon (Richard) a man down on his luck who has turned to a life of crime in order to provide for his young daughter, Jeanne. Wide-eyed Jeanne, who has not spoken since her mother's death, surprisingly takes a shine to Lucas while all are on the run from the police. Confused, Lucas has to decide whether to help Pignon and Jeanne and remain a wanted criminal or turn himself over to the police and in order to clear his name incriminate Pignon, leaving Jeanne without her father.

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Transfer Quality

Video

The transfer has been encoded at a high average bit-rate of 8.45 Mb/s on a dual layer DVD. Subsequently the transfer is free of MPEG compression artefacts and is commendable.

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 16x9 enhanced, the image remains clear with excellent shadow depth and natural colour.

The transfer does have minimal film grain and artefacts present but overall the transfer is pleasing, particular when one considers the film is now 20 years old.

The optional English subtitles are presented in a yellow Arial font.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

There are two French soundtracks available on this DVD. Overall both are well produced soundtracks.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is encompassing, predominantly during scenes with Vladimir Cosma’s score. The score is memorable and well suited to the film as it fits in with the chaos of the comedy and is hinted with the melancholy of Pignon and Lucas’ dilemma.

Subwoofer usage is minimal.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

Main Menu Audio

The menu designs are minimal and practical. The Menu features an interpretation of a classic image of Pignon holding Lucas hostage which were familiar in the theatrical poster designs. This still image is accompanied by Vladimir Cosma’s score.

Theatrical Trailer

Madman Propaganda

Piracy Warning followed by trailers for Les Compères, Après vous..., and Brodeuses.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

The film has received a similar release in France R2. The film is presented in 1.66:1 widescreen and includes optional French subtitles. Three Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks are available, including French, Italian and Spanish.

Also in France R2 a two disc boxset of Les Compères (1983) and Les Fugitifs (1986) is available to purchase. The 2004 release includes both films presented in 1.66:1 widescreen with French and Italian subtitle options. The audio options include French (5.1 DD), Italian (2.0 DD) and Spanish (2.0 DD). Extra features include trailers and two featurettes "Les compères voyagent" and Les fugitifs voyagent".

Summary

This is a wonderful release for fans of Veber who have waited many years to see these classic films on DVD.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Vanessa Appassamy (Biography)
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Review Equipment
DVDDenon DVD-1910, using DVI output
DisplayPanasonic PT-AE 700. Calibrated with THX Optimizer. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p.
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with THX Optimizer.
AmplificationYamaha DSP-A595a - 5.1 DTS
Speakers(Front) DB Dynamics Polaris AC688F loudspeakers,(Centre) DB Dynamics Polaris Mk3 Model CC030,(Rear) Polaris Mk3 Model SSD425,(Subwoofer) Jensen JPS12

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