Inferno is an interesting documentary that filmmaker Serge Bromberg attempted to re-create the unfinished Henri-Georges Clouzot 1964 film that was only recently found, though not even the audio track could be found.
Inferno
(2009)
Genre(s): Documentary
Arrow Academy | NR – 100 min. – $34.95 | March 6, 2018
Date Published: 03/07/2018 | Author: The Movieman
|
|
|||||||||||
ABOUT THIS RELEASE |
|
In 1964, Henri-Georges Clouzot, the acclaimed director of thriller masterpieces Les Diaboliques and The Wages of Fear, began work on his most ambitious film yet. Set in a beautiful lakeside resort in the Auvergne region of France, L’Enfer (Inferno) was to be a sun-scorched elucidation on the dark depths of jealousy starring Romy Schneider as the harassed wife of a manically controlling hotel manager (SERGE REGGIANI). However, despite huge expectations, major studio backing and an unlimited budget, the production collapsed after three weeks under the weight of arguments, technical complications and illness. In this compelling, award-winning documentary Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea present Inferno’s expressionistic original rushes, screen tests, and on-location footage, whilst also reconstructing Clouzot’s original vision, and shedding light on the ill-fated endeavor through interviews, dramatizations of unfilmed scenes, and Clouzot’s own notes. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5 |
|
Inside there is a 22-page essay booklet with pictures, including one that’s NSFW. The features are a bit limited with Lucy Mazdon on Henri-Georges Clouzot and Inferno (21:48; HD) in which the French cinema expert talks about the films of Clouzot and the doomed production of Inferno; Introduction by Serge Bromberg (8:57; HD) from the filmmaker who put together this project; They Saw Inferno (59:43; HD) is a featurette that includes unseen material and provides further insight into the production; Interview with Serge Bromberg (18:09; HD) as he explains the process of putting this unusual production together; lastly there is the Trailer (1:44; HD) and a Stills Gallery. |
VIDEO – 3.75/5, AUDIO – 3.75/5 |
|
Inferno is presented with a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer (MPEG-4 AVC codec). Being this is part art, part documentary, no real surprise it does look pretty good, detail on some of the modern footage is sharp and even the black and white film dating back 50+ years looked fairly well preserved or restored. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is standard stuff but still outputs some okay depth as well as clear dialogue levels from the center speaker. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
|
Overall, Inferno is an interesting documentary that filmmaker Serge Bromberg attempted to re-create the unfinished Henri-Georges Clouzot 1964 film that was only recently found, though not even the audio track could be found. Intertwined with the footage are interviews with those who worked with Clouzot and discuss the project and the man himself. The Blu-ray release has good video/audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus material. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.