Melville [Blu-ray] [2017]

I tried to play two different films from the set and they wouldn’t play. My blu ray player wouldn’t even recognise the existence of a disc. I tried two other films (dvd and blu ray) which are part of the set. They played straight away. Conclusion: Nothing wrong with my blu ray disc. Actually, I had just watched a film on dvd when I tried to watch one of the films from this Melville set. It was rather frustrating and disappointing. I asked for a replacement and had to spend time to fix a mistake that wasn’t mine.I have a all regions blu ray player but wouldn’t need one as this is an Europe region. I just hope the replacement will play with problems.PS. I received the replacement and after a few attempts I could finally play the discs. It’s really poor encoding. The box is too tight and it’s difficult to remove the discs. It’s a sign of what is to come,The films are not on their original format. They fill the whole screen. The image is sharp all right but it’s also washed out. There is no contrast. It seems to me the copies were made by people who don’t know cinema and have , say, a “photoshop” frame of mind.The subtitles are really bad. They are just too small and when the film is in black and white (about half the films?) then the white subtitles are just not readable half the time.The person responsible certainly watched the films at an editing suite and on a screen which was about 1 meter away or less. Nobody watches TV like that. The distance will normally be at least 2 meters and quite often more.It’s surprising this set is of such poor quality because I always liked Studio Canal’s , the manufacturer of this set. Well, they slipped this time. I will send this second set back and will buy Criterion copies. I won’t have all the films but the copies will be much better. I still have to see about the subtitles. I will update this review after I receive the first Criterion film.Criterion’s copies will have the right format but , there is no blu ray box set as far as I know and they don’t have all the titles from this box. But I better have a few films with good quality than a whole set with mediocre quality.

A superior collection of seminal works by a defining master of La Nouvelle Vague. All the restorations are pristine, creating an illusion of seeing release prints from an o-neg in a Parisian movie house in circa 1950's. Yes, they look that good. Bonus and supplemental material seems limited as compared to the analogous Criterion editions of Melville. Still, those provided are first rate, most all of them appearing in this collection for the first time, if I'm not mistaken. The 58 minute master class discussion on "Leon Morin, Priest" by two of Melville's close collaborators (one also being Melville's nephew) is a paragon of fascinating insights.The price point this 6 films set (paid (approx. $60 US) is eminently reasonable; I've paid more for other sets with less scope and quality. This Melville collection (as well as the Buñuel Box set concurrently offered by StudioCanal) ought to inspire my fellow Yanks to invest in multi-region DVD players. Ditto on many of BFI's first rate collections and restorations; 'Abel Gance's Napoleon' is a must-own for anyone with more than a passing fancy for cinema.)

I love this product so for that it’s 5 stars. The 4 star review is the state the product came in! There’s a massive rip out of the corner of the box! (see photo)Very disappointed but I don’t want to return it because this is a lot of hassle.

Melville essential blu-ray collection from studio canal is a must own atleast for any fan of Melville who does not have the films at home yet. Good to very good transfers of the films and a quality box with a booklet.

Great box! Just too bad it doesn't include Le Samourai.

My highest recommendation to everyone who loves Melville films!

Beautiful transfers with fascinating special features. A real bargain for those of us who value the artistry of this director.

Boss