With the releases ofThiefandRififi, The Criterion Collection has released two classics of the crime/film noir genre.
WhereJules DassinsRififirepresents a perfect distillation of the classic noir model,Michael MannsThieftakes those tropes into the modern era.
My review of the Blu-rays ofRififiandThieffollows after the jump.
Shes working for Pierre Grutter (Marcel Lupovici), who takes an immediate dislike to Tony.
And, make no mistake, its a classic suspense sequence that is riveting in its minimalism.
Also included are a still gallery and the films theatrical trailer.
He hopes that for a couple of reasons.
One of the most fascinating things aboutThiefis that he makes Frank the hero of the piece.
Theres also a great sense of verisimilitude.
Mann knew Chicago cops and criminals and has a journalists eye for detail and character.
The film is also immaculately shot.
And then theres performers like Prosky andDennis Farina, performers that Mann helped launch with this film.
What also makes the film revolutionary and a masterpiece is that Mann allows Frank to take over.
After years of unimpressive standard definition transfers, this Blu-ray is a revelation.
The film comes with a commentary track, though it dates back to the films laserdisc release.
Theres new interviews included, though, which helps make this one of the best releases of 2014.
First up is a new chat with Mann (24 min.)
done by Scott Foundas, and its an excellent chat, and Foundas prods the director well.
Its followed by a brief talk with Caan (11 min.
), who loves the film, and then an interview with Johannes Schmoelling (16 min.
), one of the members of Tangerine Dream.
The package is wrapped up by the films theatrical trailer.
