Army Of Shadows

Studiocanal have put together a lovely package for this re-release of the Jean-Pierre Melville classic. It offers a 4k restoration of the film, supervised by DoP Pierre Lhomme, which certainly brings out the bleak blue-dominated palette of the film.

Previous editions of the film have included a commentary track by Professor Ginnette Vincendeau. This time out, that has disappeared into the shadows but there are two substantial background extras instead.

Army Of Shadows...The Hidden Side Of The Story first appeared on the 2013 release of the film and it's an excellent guide to the ins and outs of Melville's attitude and the way he worked with the actors on the set. Interviewees include the producer Jacques Dorfman and the DoP along with Olivier Bohler, who directed documentary Code Name: Melville and who proves an informative guide to Melville's motivations. Actors Alain Mottet, Alain Libolt, and Claude Mann also provide some excellent insider info. Running at almost 90 minutes, this is an excellent stand-alone film in its own right.

There's also a new extra, Jean Pierre Grumbach aka Cartier, aka Melville - Resistance Fighter and Filmmaker, a 40-minute set of interviews that explore Melville's own life as a solider and within the Resistance and the way it finds its way into Army Of Shadows. Particularly compelling are the observations on Melville's relationship with his older brother and its parallels within the film. They also touch on the poor reception the film received in France on release, when it was branded "Gaullist" and devices within the film, including the use of voice-over.