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Overall | Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967) | The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971) | Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973) | The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

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.
French Screen Icons-Alain Delon-Volume 1 (1967)

French Screen Icons-Alain Delon-Volume 1 (1967)

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Released 23-Sep-2009

Cover Art

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Overall Package

    Madman’s French Screen Icons series has started with collections dedicated to luminaries Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belomondo. This is the first volume focused on the early films of César Award-winning French actor Delon, who has had a celebrated 50 year career working with Luchino Visconti, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, Michelangelo Antonioni and Louis Malle. One of my favourite descriptions of Alain Delon, came from film critic David Thompson, who said Delon was "a beautiful destructive angel of the dark street."

The collection includes -Diabolically Yours, The Widow Couderc, Shock Treatment, The Burned Barns. In comparison with other Alain Delon boxsets which include the same film titles, there is a 10 Disc R2 (France) Studio Canal release which features the films:
The Red Circle,
The Gypsy
(available in Alain Delon Vol 2 from Madman),
The Burned Barns (available in Alain Delon Vol 1 from Madman),
Un Flic,
Red Sun,
Plein Soleil
(available as a sole title via Madman),
Icy Flesh (available in Alain Delon Vol 2 from Madman),
Honor Among Thieves,
The Widow Couderc
(available in Alain Delon Vol 1 from Madman),
Armaguedon

The Local release is English friendly – with the inclusion of dubbed soundtracks and optional subtitles.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Vanessa Appassamy (Biography)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Other Reviews NONE
Overall | Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967) | The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971) | Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973) | The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

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.
Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967)

Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967)

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Released 23-Sep-2009

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Crime None
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 1967
Running Time 89:01
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Julien Duvivier
Studio
Distributor
Canal+
Madman Entertainment
Starring Alain Delon
Senta Berger
Peter Mosbacher
Claude Piéplu
Albert Augier
Renate Birgo
Georges Montant
Sergio Fantoni
Case Amaray-Transparent
RPI Box Music François de Roubaix


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None French Dolby Digital 1.0 (192Kb/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

    Diaboliquement vôtre is an early example of the psychological thriller.

    The film recounts the tale of Georges Campo (Delon), who in the (neat) opening credits of the film speeds through winding countryside roads, only to awaken in a hospital bed after weeks in a coma.

    Georges is completely unaware of who he is (a wealthy businessman) or the fact that he is married to the striking Christiane (Berger), who Georges is told was also in the car with him, but survived the car crash without injury.

    Christiane takes Georges to their luxurious mansion to recover from the accident and although Georges is still unable to recall who Christiane is, he immediately abandons the search of his true identity and embraces both her and the lavish lifestyle she offers.

    But Georges starts begins to have unnerving nightmares, and his past memories do not appear to synch with his present life, all the while his wife Christiane, his friend Freddie (Fantoni) and the curious butler Kim (Mosbacher) are all acting ever so suspiciously.

    Diaboliquement vôtre, which is based on a pulp novel, was renowned director Julien Duviver’s last film. The enjoyable thriller contains many illogical twists and turns, and the film also leaves the audience trying to figuring out who exactly is conning who right to the last scene, particularly since the narrative is told through the eyes of the paranoid Georges.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    Presented in 1:66:1 16x9 enhanced widescreen, the transfer is satisfactory considering the age of the film.

    The colour scheme is natural, and the picture remains at most times sharp and defined.

    Shadow detail is equally adequate.

    Film grain appears on occasion but is never a distracting issue.

    The subtitles for the French dialogue are presented in a clear yellow font.

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

Audio

    The single audio soundtrack is a 1.0 French mono track. It remains crisp and clear throughout the feature.

     The original soundtrack was composed by the late François de Roubaix.

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

Extras

Main Menu

    A still from the film with options for 12 scene selections and subtitle options.

R4 vs R1

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

    Diaboliquement vôtre is currently only available in Region 4 as part of the ‘French Screen Icons – Alain Delon 1’ series from Madman. Overseas this title is also available in the US, UK and France as part of similarly themed barebones boxsets.

Summary

    Diaboliquement vôtre is an entertaining thriller, and while it is farfetched, the film remains engaging mainly due to Delon’s restrained performance. The DVD is adequately produced with quality picture and sound.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Vanessa Appassamy (Biography)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Review Equipment
DVDOPPO DV-980H, using HDMI 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

Other Reviews NONE
Overall | Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967) | The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971) | Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973) | The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

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.
The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971)

The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971)

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Released 23-Sep-2009

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Drama None
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 1971
Running Time 85:35
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Pierre Granier-Deferre
Studio
Distributor
Canal+
Madman Entertainment
Starring Alain Delon
Simone Signoret
Ottavia Piccolo
Jean Tissier
Monique Chaumette
Boby Lapointe
Jean-Pierre Castaldi
Pierre Collet
Robert Favart
André Rouyer
François Valorbe
Case Amaray-Transparent
RPI Box Music Philippe Sarde


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None French Dolby Digital 1.0 (192Kb/s)
English Dolby Digital 1.0
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

    La Veuve Couderc is an excellent melodrama based on a novel by Georges Simenon.

    Set in Pre War France 1934, the late Simone Signoret is remarkable in her role as the title character - a lonely bitter middle-aged widow, who begins an unlikely relationship with the mysterious stranger Jean Lavigne (Delon).

     The two meet fortuitously when Lavigne comes to town looking for work and Coudrec, although fearlessly independent, offers Lavigne odd jobs around her farm and welcomes his friendship.

    Both loners eventually become lovers, and the relationship is unsurprisingly not encouraged by the other members of the community – particularly Couderc’s- in-laws with whom she has a torrid past with.

    Directed with attention to detail and a sense of authenticity by the late Pierre Granier-Deferre, in relation to the daily happenings of the rural location, the film is driven by enigmatic performances from both leads.

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Transfer Quality

Video

     Presented in 1:66:1 16x9 enhanced widescreen, the transfer is satisfactory considering the age of the film.

    The colour scheme is natural, although it may seem overly bright and washed out at times.

    The transfer remains at most times sharp and defined.

    Shadow detail is equally adequate.

    Mild film grain and assorted artefacts appear throughout the feature film.

    The subtitles for the French dialogue are presented in a clear yellow font.

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

Audio

    There are two audio soundtracks available; one is 1.0 French mono, the other a 1.0 dubbed English soundtrack. Both soundtracks are clear and don’t exhibit any problems. The original soundtrack score was composed by Philippe Sarde.

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

Extras

Main Menu

    A still from the film with options for 12 scene selections and subtitle options.

R4 vs R1

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

   This title is currently only available in R4 as part of the ‘French Screen Icons – Alain Delon 1’ series from Madman. Overseas this title is also available in the US, UK and France as part of similarly themed barebones boxsets.

Summary

     La Veuve Couderc is an excellent melodrama featuring intense performances from Signoret and Delon. The DVD is adequately produced with decent picture and sound.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Vanessa Appassamy (Biography)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Review Equipment
DVDOPPO DV-980H, using HDMI 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

Other Reviews NONE
Overall | Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967) | The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971) | Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973) | The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

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.
Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973)

Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973)

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Released 23-Sep-2009

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Crime Featurette-Behind The Scenes-(22:46) French with English Subtitles.
Theatrical Trailer
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 1973
Running Time 83:31
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Alain Jessua
Studio
Distributor
Canal+
Madman Entertainment
Starring Alain Delon
Annie Girardot
Robert Hirsch
Michel Duchaussoy
Gabriel Cattand
Jeanne Colletin
Robert Party
Jean Roquel
Roger Muni
Lucienne Legrand
Anne-Marie Deschott
Salvino Di Pietra
Gabriella Cotta Ramusino
Case Amaray-Transparent
RPI Box Music Alain Jessua
René Koering


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None French Dolby Digital 1.0 (192Kb/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

    Traitement de choc (1973) is probably best described as a thriller with sci-fi/horror elements. The exploitation film, directed by Alain Jessua features Alain Delon as the charming yet diabolical Dr. Delivers, who is the head of an exclusive rejuvenation clinic in a health resort.

    Helene (Annie Giradot), a successful fashion designer, heads to the health resort after her boyfriend leaves her for a younger woman.

    At the clinic, everything is idyllic and the special expensive injections Dr. Delivers offers the socially elite, actually makes his clients’ look and feel younger.

    Helene couldn’t be happier, but when her friend Gérôme (Robert Hirsh) commits suicide as he can no longer afford the injections, she tries to leave the clinic and begins to see not everything is as it seems, particularly when she is approached by the migrant workers who ask for her help.

     Traitement de choc is a cautionary tale of vanity and the fear of aging. The sensationalist film, while it may seem schlocky does have a political undercurrent.

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Transfer Quality

Video

     Presented in 1:66:1 16x9 enhanced widescreen, the transfer is satisfactory considering the age of the film.

    The colour scheme is natural, but mild chroma noise is visible throughout the feature film.

    The transfer remains at most times sharp and defined. Shadow detail is equally adequate.

    Mild film grain and assorted artefacts appear throughout the feature film.

    The optional subtitles for the French dialogue are presented in a clear white font.

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

Audio

    There is only a 1.0 mono French soundtrack available on this DVD.

    This soundtrack is clear and does not exhibit any problems.

    The percussive soundtrack by Jessua and René Koering reflects the primal aspects of the feature film, particularly the idea of the stronger members of society forsaking the weaker.

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

Extras

Main Menu

    A still from the film with options for 12 scene selections and subtitle options, and access extra feature content.

Featurette

    A recently filmed extensive interview with Jessua explaining the development of the film, casting, the filming process and the reception of the film. 16x9 (22:47)

Theatrical Trailer (Full Frame)

    Optional English Subtitles (1:46)

R4 vs R1

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

   This title is currently only available in R4 as part of the ‘French Screen Icons – Alain Delon 1’ series from Madman.

    Overseas this title is only available in the R2 (France) 10 Disc barebones boxset of Alain Delon films from Studio Canal.

Summary

    The exploitation film Traitement de choc features a farcical plot, with a political undercurrent. The DVD is adequately produced with satisfactory picture and sound. The inclusion of an extensive interview with the director is welcomed.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Vanessa Appassamy (Biography)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Review Equipment
DVDOPPO DV-980H, using HDMI 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

Other Reviews NONE
Overall | Diabolically Yours (Diaboliquement vôtre) (1967) | The Widow Couderc (Veuve Couderc, La) (1971) | Shock Treatment (Traitement de choc) (1973) | The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

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.
The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

The Burned Barns (Les granges brulées) (1973)

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Released 23-Sep-2009

Cover Art

This review is sponsored by
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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Drama None
Rating Rated PG
Year Of Production 1973
Running Time 94:34
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Jean Chapot
Studio
Distributor
Canal+
Madman Entertainment
Starring Alain Delon
Simone Signoret
Paul Crauchet
Bernard Le Coq
Christian Barbier
Pierre Rousseau
Miou-Miou
Jean Bouise
Catherine Allégret
Fernand Ledoux
Renato Salvatori
Armand Abplanalp
Case Amaray-Transparent
RPI Box Music Jean-Michel Jarre


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 1.0 (192Kb/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 None Smoking Yes
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

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

Plot Synopsis

     Two years after La veuve Couderc, Les granges brulées reunited Alain Delon with Simone Signoret, in a somewhat similar setting Haut Jura (Eastern France).

    Directed by the late Jean Chapot, Les granges brulées opens with the discovery of a corpse of a young woman. The murder has taken place near ‘Les granges brulées,’ the farm and land owned by Rose (Signoret). Judge Pierre Larcher (Delon) arrives at’ Les granges brulées’ determined to find the killer, he initially suspects Rose’s sons, Paul and Louis, who’s alibi’s are flawed, but as the investigation continues, family secrets are revealed, pitting the headstrong matriarch Rose against Larcher.

     Unlike a traditional policier, Les granges brulées is focused on the disintegration of the family unit, rather than the murder investigation itself. Also of importance is the relationship and growing admiration between Rose and Larcher, who in many respects are just people trying to do what is morally right.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    Presented in 1:66:1 16x9 enhanced widescreen, the transfer is satisfactory considering the age of the film.

     The colour scheme is natural, but mild chroma noise is visible throughout the feature film.

    The transfer remains at most times sharp and defined.

    Shadow detail is equally adequate.

    Mild film grain and assorted artefacts appear throughout the feature film.

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

Audio

    There is only a 1.0 mono dubbed English soundtrack available on this DVD.

    This soundtrack is clear and does not exhibit any problems.

     The original electronic soundtrack was composed by Jean Michel Jarre. This is an excellent score which builds upon the suspense elements of the film.

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

Extras

Main Menu

     A still from the film with an option for 12 scene selections.

R4 vs R1

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

    This title is currently only available in Region 4 as part of the ‘French Screen Icons – Alain Delon 1’ series from Madman.
Overseas this title is only available in the Region 2 (France) 10 Disc barebones boxset of Alain Delon films from Studio Canal.

Summary

    Les granges brulées is probably most renowned for its soundtrack by Jarre, but the film is an enjoyable mystery, featuring an impressive cast of two generations of French cinema icons. The DVD is adequately produced with satisfactory picture – the only letdown is the absence of the original French soundtrack.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Vanessa Appassamy (Biography)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Review Equipment
DVDOPPO DV-980H, using HDMI 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

Other Reviews NONE