Bob Le Flambeur is Jean-Pierre Melville’s crime film classic now available in 4K.
The Production: 4.5/5
Bob Montagne (Roger Duchesne) is a former bank robber, turned gambler. Sporting bright blonde hair, he keeps clean of crime while staying in good standing with the police. He doesn’t care for fast women, nor pimps. Bob and a casino dealer come up with a plan to make off with close to a billion Francs from a heavily protected safe. Even with the best crew and plans, things don’t go according to plan. Of course, what 50s crime movie with a heist could possibly go right?
Jean-Pierre Melville’s Bob le flambeur (Bob the Gambler), his fourth narrative feature, works well as a bridge between American-inspired French film noir (like Rififi and Elevator to the Gallows) and the New Wave that was about to take the world by storm. Shot largely on location with naturalistic lighting, this balances the sheen of Hollywood crime films while having a level of realism. Henri Decae, who shot a bunch of other Melville films (and many other iconic ones) doesn’t go for splash, but rather mood. I can’t help but think how well this film complements Stanley Kubrick’s first Hollywood film The Killing, released only a few month earlier in the United States. Melville’s film doesn’t have quite the scope as Kubrick’s, but it’s focused more on the title character.
I consider Melville’s films to be extraordinary. While I think this is the work of someone who was about to make even greater films, this is still one of his signature films.
Video: 4.5/5
3D Rating: NA
Kino Lorber originally released Bob le flambeur on Blu-ray in 2019, from a then-new 4K restoration by StudioCanal. This 4K UHD edition uses the same restoration, but now in native 4K instead of just 1080p. Some may be concerned the lack of HDR and this being an existing restoration would mean it’s just a lazy double-dip, but it’s not. While the Blu-ray looked great, the 4K UHD further replicates the look of the most pristine 35mm print. I assume the restoration primarily used the camera negative, as photographic quality is excellent. Even during opticals like fades and dissolves, the image only looks a little more grainy and soft. Contrast is excellent, especially as this is one of Melville’s more naturalistic-looking films. Textures on clothing really pop. It’s also incredibly pristine and stable. I think I only caught a handful of stray specks or scratches.
Audio: 5/5
Kino Lorber keeps the same DTS-HD MA 2.0 French monaural track from the 2019 Blu-ray, which already sounded excellent. The score, with its haunting horn solos, never sounds distorted. Dialogue is crisp and never difficult to hear. Even the foley/sound effects in the mix have a lovely fidelity.
Optional English subtitles are included.
Special Features: 3.5/5
Both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray feature an audio commentary by film historian Nick Pinkerton, originally recorded for the 2019 Kino Lorber Blu-ray.
The remaining supplements are included on the reprint of the 2019 Blu-ray:
Diary of a Villain (25:45 HD) – Collection of interviews with filmmakers and writers discussing Bob le flambeur and Melville’s inspirations.
Theatrical Trailer (3:26 SD)
Additional Trailers:
Le doulos (2:24 SD)
Alphaville (1:20 SD)
Touchez pas au grisbi (3:53 SD)
Razzia sur la chnouf (3:02 HD)
Initial pressings include a cardboard slipcover.
Overall: 4.5/5
Bob Le Flambeur is one of the essential early Jean-Pierre Melville films, with a gorgeous 4K restoration now available in UHD.
Current Home Theater setup (as of 01/2019):
Monitor:
Samsung 60" LED 4K UHD (UN60J7090)
Players:
Primary - Sony UBP-X700 UltraHD Player
Secondary - Sony BDP-S5500 Blu-ray 3D Player (all region modded)
Sound:
VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SB-3851C0
Other Players:
PS3
Apple TV (4th generation)
3-D Glasses:
Samsung Active Shutter (4x)
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