Chatter Box Film

Studiocanal has released a brand new 4K restoration of the 1969 French film “Army of Shadows” – directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. It is also an adaptation of Joseph Kessell’s book by the same name.

In this 2 hours and 23 minute war film, the story is shown from the perspective of Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura); who is the head of the French resistence against Nazi Germans during World War II. The characters in this navigate across a dangerous occupied France, and into London from 1942.

Army of Shadows is filled with suspense, drama, as well as chilling story to follow along with. Quite a lot of the scenes take a look at what both men and women resistence fighters faced; briefly showing the horrors of camps/prisons, to the aftermath of interrogations and other sacrifices they made by putting themselves or their loved ones at risk.

Lino Ventura’s performance as Philippe is delivered somewhat cold and calculating at the beginning. The character is well-written and it’s shown that he is prepared to do anything and everything at all costs to protect the resistence. There are intense and shocking scenes which the character goes through both physically and mentally by the end of film.

Jean-Pierre Cassel has a magentic screen presence as Jean François Jardie, and Simone Signoret delivers a striking performance as Mathilde; one of the helpers behind planning rescues of French Resistence fighters captured.

Army of Shadows offers another perspective to the war, told from the French side, and Jean-Pierre Melville delivers an excellent story to screen.

The 4K restoration beautifully draws out vivid details captured by the 35mm Mitchell camera, on 35 mm (Eastman 50T 5251, 100T 5254) colour negatives. The colour grading is soaked heavily in green/yellow.

Are there Bonus features?

The film itself is audibly French-language speaking, although there are English and French subtitles for both the film and its bonus features.

• Army of Shadows: The hidden side of the story: 1 hour 27 minute documentary (Blu-Ray only).
• Jean Pierre Grumbach aka Cartier, aka Melville Resistance Fighter and Filmmaker: 39 minutes (Blu-Ray only).

When is Army of Shadows releasing?

The film is available now! Studiocanal announced pre-orders for Blu-Ray, DVD and digital formats of Army of Shadows from June 3. Although this 4K restoration doesn’t appear to be sold under a 4KUHD Blu-Ray label.

View the 4K restoration trailer for Army of Shadows here.