The Lover / L'amant (Jean-Jacques Annaud)

[McCrutchy]

Pathé has released a new 4K remaster of Jean-Jacques Annaud's The Lover AKA L'amant (1992) today in France.

Some information has been posted about this release in the Pathe Classic Titiles thread by our friend tenia, however, I felt this disc needed its own thread.

Most unfortunately, Pathé has authored the disc so that French or French SDH subtitles must be selected with the English audio. Essentially, this means that this release has forced French subtitles, which is a great shame.

BDInfo scan:

This disc is region free.

The French: DTS-HD MA 2.0 track is audio description, while the French: DTS 2.0 track is the audio commentary with Jean-Jacques Annaud.

                                                                                                                Total   Video                                             
Title                                                           Codec   Length  Movie Size      Disc Size       Bitrate Bitrate Main Audio Track                          Secondary Audio Track
-----                                                           ------  ------- --------------  --------------  ------- ------- ------------------                        ---------------------
00001.MPLS                                                      AVC     1:55:31 40,079,738,880  45,797,684,706  46.26   35.76   DTS-HD Master 5.1 2074Kbps (48kHz/16-bit) DTS-HD Master 2.0 1075Kbps (48kHz/16-bit)

DISC INFO:

Disc Title:     L_AMANT
Disc Size:      45,797,684,706 bytes
Protection:     AACS
BD-Java:        No
Extras:         50Hz Content
BDInfo:         0.5.8

PLAYLIST REPORT:

Name:                   00001.MPLS
Length:                 1:55:31.591 (h:m:s.ms)
Size:                   40,079,738,880 bytes
Total Bitrate:          46.26 Mbps

VIDEO:

Codec                   Bitrate             Description     
-----                   -------             -----------     
MPEG-4 AVC Video        35757 kbps          1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1

AUDIO:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
DTS-HD Master Audio             French          2074 kbps       5.1 / 48 kHz / 2074 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             English         3885 kbps       5.1 / 48 kHz / 3885 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio             French          1075 kbps       2.0 / 48 kHz / 1075 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS Audio                       French          768 kbps        2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit

SUBTITLES:

Codec                           Language        Bitrate         Description     
-----                           --------        -------         -----------     
Presentation Graphics           French          16.529 kbps                     
Presentation Graphics           French          18.068 kbps                     
Presentation Graphics           French          0.000 kbps                      

FILES:

Name            Time In         Length          Size            Total Bitrate   
----            -------         ------          ----            -------------   
00002.M2TS      0:00:00.000     1:55:31.591     40,079,738,880  46,257          

CHAPTERS:

Number          Time In         Length          Avg Video Rate  Max 1-Sec Rate  Max 1-Sec Time  Max 5-Sec Rate  Max 5-Sec Time  Max 10Sec Rate  Max 10Sec Time  Avg Frame Size  Max Frame Size  Max Frame Time  
------          -------         ------          --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  
1               0:00:00.000     0:04:41.656     34,258 kbps     51,793 kbps     00:01:45.730    40,438 kbps     00:00:37.245    38,859 kbps     00:00:37.495    178,580 bytes   653,576 bytes   00:04:37.026    
2               0:04:41.656     0:05:54.270     34,889 kbps     48,324 kbps     00:06:01.277    38,136 kbps     00:05:08.641    37,113 kbps     00:04:56.587    181,896 bytes   781,164 bytes   00:10:07.982    
3               0:10:35.926     0:02:57.177     35,810 kbps     46,056 kbps     00:11:07.333    38,458 kbps     00:13:11.707    38,211 kbps     00:13:11.540    186,694 bytes   721,788 bytes   00:10:51.484    
4               0:13:33.103     0:05:08.516     35,118 kbps     44,692 kbps     00:14:04.760    38,161 kbps     00:14:53.142    37,046 kbps     00:14:49.555    183,092 bytes   744,937 bytes   00:17:36.096    
5               0:18:41.620     0:07:13.391     35,085 kbps     46,301 kbps     00:23:52.472    39,284 kbps     00:18:52.631    37,966 kbps     00:24:00.063    182,916 bytes   781,889 bytes   00:25:14.888    
6               0:25:55.011     0:02:15.301     36,734 kbps     42,395 kbps     00:26:50.984    39,085 kbps     00:26:52.694    38,239 kbps     00:26:45.186    191,514 bytes   651,486 bytes   00:28:10.313    
7               0:28:10.313     0:03:37.550     34,419 kbps     46,691 kbps     00:28:43.763    37,816 kbps     00:31:36.102    36,915 kbps     00:31:31.097    179,446 bytes   782,481 bytes   00:28:52.230    
8               0:31:47.864     0:10:20.494     36,232 kbps     55,275 kbps     00:32:31.532    39,971 kbps     00:36:01.200    38,610 kbps     00:36:32.607    188,899 bytes   776,077 bytes   00:32:59.769    
9               0:42:08.359     0:07:27.280     36,846 kbps     43,367 kbps     00:42:30.589    38,928 kbps     00:47:50.951    37,768 kbps     00:47:50.993    192,096 bytes   612,196 bytes   00:43:35.237    
10              0:49:35.639     0:08:26.088     36,352 kbps     50,430 kbps     00:56:59.707    40,246 kbps     00:54:37.482    39,222 kbps     00:54:38.400    189,522 bytes   766,244 bytes   00:54:19.089    
11              0:58:01.728     0:05:16.983     36,467 kbps     54,947 kbps     01:02:58.816    41,583 kbps     01:02:54.729    39,276 kbps     01:02:57.356    190,123 bytes   615,544 bytes   01:02:59.150    
12              1:03:18.711     0:05:08.057     35,326 kbps     48,429 kbps     01:04:33.411    39,065 kbps     01:04:11.055    37,945 kbps     01:05:47.401    184,172 bytes   777,531 bytes   01:03:21.881    
13              1:08:26.769     0:05:14.147     37,834 kbps     47,544 kbps     01:12:56.914    40,039 kbps     01:12:53.035    39,153 kbps     01:13:08.634    197,251 bytes   667,728 bytes   01:10:11.081    
14              1:13:40.916     0:06:20.797     36,023 kbps     47,348 kbps     01:14:20.414    38,909 kbps     01:15:24.311    38,323 kbps     01:15:24.353    187,809 bytes   776,020 bytes   01:18:43.885    
15              1:20:01.713     0:07:51.095     35,540 kbps     43,499 kbps     01:20:10.805    38,508 kbps     01:20:09.971    37,869 kbps     01:20:09.971    185,290 bytes   741,065 bytes   01:26:15.920    
16              1:27:52.809     0:06:34.644     36,608 kbps     44,305 kbps     01:33:56.380    38,826 kbps     01:34:08.017    37,992 kbps     01:32:06.854    190,856 bytes   781,203 bytes   01:32:37.510    
17              1:34:27.453     0:03:53.608     36,130 kbps     43,614 kbps     01:35:36.689    38,660 kbps     01:34:46.597    38,048 kbps     01:34:41.592    188,365 bytes   674,366 bytes   01:34:51.435    
18              1:38:21.061     0:02:03.498     35,437 kbps     48,209 kbps     01:39:55.906    39,287 kbps     01:38:39.705    37,785 kbps     01:38:38.787    184,752 bytes   763,029 bytes   01:38:30.446    
19              1:40:24.560     0:05:38.713     35,655 kbps     46,393 kbps     01:43:28.744    39,425 kbps     01:43:40.172    38,217 kbps     01:43:19.651    185,886 bytes   778,526 bytes   01:40:31.608    
20              1:46:03.273     0:09:28.317     34,338 kbps     47,425 kbps     01:52:13.893    40,029 kbps     01:52:13.893    37,790 kbps     01:47:55.177    179,034 bytes   746,195 bytes   01:48:33.340    

STREAM DIAGNOSTICS:

File            PID             Type            Codec           Language                Seconds                 Bitrate                 Bytes           Packets         
----            ---             ----            -----           --------                --------------          --------------          -------------   -----           
00002.M2TS      4113 (0x1011)   0x1B            AVC                                     6931.508                35,758                  30,981,813,897  168,477,106     
00002.M2TS      4352 (0x1100)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       fra (French)            6931.508                2,074                   1,797,104,932   10,847,602      
00002.M2TS      4353 (0x1101)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       eng (English)           6931.508                3,885                   3,365,966,484   19,374,054      
00002.M2TS      4354 (0x1102)   0x86            DTS-HD MA       fra (French)            6931.508                1,075                   931,328,592     5,745,219       
00002.M2TS      4355 (0x1103)   0x82            DTS             fra (French)            6931.508                768                     665,433,088     3,899,022       
00002.M2TS      4608 (0x1200)   0x90            PGS             fra (French)            6931.508                17                      14,321,287      82,824          
00002.M2TS      4609 (0x1201)   0x90            PGS             fra (French)            6931.508                18                      15,655,337      90,567          
00002.M2TS      4610 (0x1202)   0x90            PGS             fra (French)            6931.508                0                       70              7

[tenia]

Note that the Jean-Jacques Annaud audio commentary has been recorded for the release of this new restoration. However, it is not subbed at all.

Not wanting to advertise myself (Svet will review this disc soon anyway) but I've just upped my review on Retro HD : http://retro-hd.com/tests/blu-ray/1932-l-amant.html

It's in French, but there are 1080p caps for those interested.

[Konrad]

Thank you very much for the information!
Hopefully the 4K restoration will be released in another locality without forced subs.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by tenia

Note that the Jean-Jacques Annaud audio commentary has been recorded for the release of this new restoration. However, it is not subbed at all.

Not wanting to advertise myself (Svet will review this disc soon anyway) but I've just upped my review on Retro HD : http://retro-hd.com/tests/blu-ray/1932-l-amant.html

It's in French, but there are 1080p caps for those interested.

Thank you.
i don't understand why in these 4K restorations there's so much yellow! (besides teal)
You can't see any true white for heaven's sake!
(I guess they used the same company that did Raiders of the lost ark )

Old German Bluray


New 4K restoration



Do you think Cohen might pick this up, as it did with La Reine Margot?

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Thank you.
i don't understand why in these 4K restorations there's so much yellow! (besides teal)
You can't see any true white for heaven's sake!
(I guess they used the same company that did Raiders of the lost ark )

Actually, I can -- Jane's eyes are white.

On the second note, you are actually a lot closer to the truth than you think you are. I attended a retrospective screening of this film some time ago and while I am probably the last person on this forum that would bring theatrical appearance when these types of restorations are discussed, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the film has an intended hazy yellow look. It is part of the period atmosphere. (It is also present on the old release we have reviewed, but there are contrast issues there -- the whites are actually blown out -- so it appears a little better balanced). And for the record, a number of Jean-Jacques Annaud's films have such stylistic enhancements.

Other than that, we are in full agreement -- there are a number of catalog releases that have problematic color grading (with a very large number of them, for example, appearing through Fox).

Pro-B

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

I attended a retrospective screening of this film some time ago and while I am probably the last person on this forum that would bring theatrical appearance when these types of restorations are discussed, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the film has an intended hazy yellow look.

Are you sure that this screening you attended was the film before restoration and not this restoration which would justify then the yellow look you saw too?

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Are you sure that this screening you attended was the film before restoration and not this restoration which would justify then the yellow look you saw too?

Very sure

There was no Blu-ray at the time.

Pro-B

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Very sure

There was no Blu-ray at the time.

Pro-B

Yes, but the restoration might existed without a released BLuray and they presented it at theaters.
Just like with the Hunchback of notre dame (1939) that they are presenting the restoration in March I think, and afterwards a BLuray will be released..

I'm looking to find what year Pathe did this restoration but I can't find anything.

[Bates_Motel]

I guess I could buy it and rip it to take off the forced subs... but I have the German disc already. I'll wait to see it if gets a proper US release.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I'm looking to find what year Pathe did this restoration but I can't find anything.

For The Lover, there is a short text panel at the beginning of the movie saying 2014.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by tenia

For The Lover, there is a short text panel at the beginning of the movie saying 2014.

Ok, thanks.

[tenia]

Just for info : the 6 movies have the same type of short text panel at the beginning of each movie, right after the Pathé jingle.

All 6 have been restored either in 2013 or 2014 for Pathé.

[pro-bassoonist]

The Lover Blu-ray REVIEW



Outstanding restoration



Pro-B

[filmmusic]

Can we expect a US/UK release, with non imposed French subtitles and with English subtitles too?
I love this film (though I don't like Jane March in it, I think she is the only drawback of this film) and would like to get it.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Can we expect a US/UK release, with non imposed French subtitles and with English subtitles too?
I love this film (though I don't like Jane March in it, I think she is the only drawback of this film) and would like to get it.

At the moment I am not aware of any plans for an upcoming release of the new restoration.

Pro-B

[tama]

I too am hoping for a near future U.K./U.S. release without forcd subs.

[filmmusic]

Any news of anyone aquiring this in US?

[pathofneo99]

Can't I just use something like MakeMKV to remove the forced subtitles? Or am I not allowed to talk about that here? I really need to know because this is such a great film that I already have the German BD of but would gladly double dip. I don't have any forced subtitled films to test.

My only real concern is the 5.1 track. In the review it was mentioned that the 2.0 track should have been included, and I personally enjoy 2.0 better on older releases. It kinda makes a difference when you have nice speakers. If the 5.1 track in this French release is some pseudo version of the original score then I'm going to have to pass.

Opinions from those who have it?

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by pathofneo99

Can't I just use something like MakeMKV to remove the forced subtitles? Or am I not allowed to talk about that here? I really need to know because this is such a great film that I already have the German BD of but would gladly double dip. I don't have any forced subtitled films to test.

My only real concern is the 5.1 track. In the review it was mentioned that the 2.0 track should have been included, and I personally enjoy 2.0 better on older releases. It kinda makes a difference when you have nice speakers. If the 5.1 track in this French release is some pseudo version of the original score then I'm going to have to pass.

Opinions from those who have it?

Yes, you can. I have it. And the 5.1 track is nice.

[javi92]

Why doesn't a U.S. or U.K. label pick this up already?