The Night Porter (Cult Films) --- November 30th 2020

[dallywhitty]

CultFilms is proud to present the 4K restoration of Liliana Cavani’s provocative classic THE NIGHT PORTER, with brand new extras that explore the film’s controversial past and make it ripe for re-assessment.

This definitive release is enabled by the generous and essential participation of director Liliana Cavani and star Charlotte Rampling.

Max (Dirk Bogarde) is a night porter in a Vienna hotel in the 1950’s. When beautiful Lucia (Charlotte Rampling) checks in, they recognise each other. Max was an SS officer in a Nazi concentration camp who had abused and tortured the then-teenage Lucia, a prisoner. But Lucia makes excuses to her husband, an orchestra conductor, who leaves to continue his tour, and she stays behind as she and Max find themselves compelled to reignite what had in fact been their former intense sadomasochistic relationship.

Max is a reluctant member of a group of former SS officers who are ruthlessly covering up their pasts. Thinking that she will denounce them, they soon consider Lucia a threat and urge Max to hand her over to them. He refuses and hides out with Lucia, while his former comrades exert their threats…

This is the story of an ‘amour-fou’, an obsessive passion, which compels two lovers to be together despite their being lucidly aware of contravening all morality, even their own; and despite the certainty of their oncoming tragic destiny.

Lillian Cavani’s tale of passion, beyond all morality or societal construct, has been controversial ever since its initial release in 1974 – provoking indefinable overwhelming emotions which are wildly conflicting.

Now, over 45 years later, Liliana Cavani’s story of obsessive passion and tragic destiny, is presented in this definitive 4K restoration, overseen by Cavani herself and finally doing justice to her challenging and extraordinary vision.

CULT FILMS

AMAZON

HMV

[raphph]

Shame they had to land the release. Over-sharpening here we come.

[leoganzi]

Frankly speaking, I was actually hoping this would be released through Arrow Academy or other competent label, but here's hoping that at least the colour will be improved this time. Ugly navy/milky blacks & magenta push on the Criterion are an eyesore.
By the way, does anyone know which lab did a 4k scan this time? I sincerely hope it is not L'Immagine Ritrovata again!

[James78]

https://cultfilms.co.uk/blog/2020/11...-kat-ellinger/

[HotRats]

The Guardian feature https://www.theguardian.com/film/202...liliana-cavani

[leoganzi]

http://mondo-digital.com/nightport.html

[CelestialAgent]

Sounds like a good release, think I’ll need to be in the right frame of mind to rewatch it though

[leoganzi]

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...er_blu-ray.htm


By the way, in the Beaver review, it stats that There are included English subtitles though I could not get them to play, does this mean that you'll have to use your remote control to turn them on because subtitles are not on the audio menu or subs are not working? Does anyone know about this?

[sjt]

I picked this up the other day in Fopp, and watched it tonight. To my intense surprise, it is a modern-day restoration - notably not by L'immagine rovinata - that actually corrects the hideous, bilious green cast of the previous releases - the Anchor Bay and Criterion, both of which I've got - and replaces it with a perfectly natural-looking colour palette with strong, clear whites and moderately warm-toned colour saturation everywhere else. Two very good new interviews too by way of eminently worthwhile extras lasting over an hour. Excellent. And this from Cult, whose catalogue is otherwise largely a Hall of Shame. Who would have thought?

[BigNickUK]

and its also just been reduced on amazon. Its showing sold out on zavvi

[LaughingWindows]

Originally Posted by leoganzi

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...er_blu-ray.htm


By the way, in the Beaver review, it stats that There are included English subtitles though I could not get them to play, does this mean that you'll have to use your remote control to turn them on because subtitles are not on the audio menu or subs are not working? Does anyone know about this?

Can you people answer this about the English subs?
Thanks!

[Si Parallel Universe]

I bought the old Criterion disc as a blind buy. One of the few films I've ever felt morally revulsed by..

[OgamiittoMcJ]

Originally Posted by sjt

I picked this up the other day in Fopp, and watched it tonight. To my intense surprise, it is a modern-day restoration - notably not by L'immagine rovinata - that actually corrects the hideous, bilious green cast of the previous releases - the Anchor Bay and Criterion, both of which I've got - and replaces it with a perfectly natural-looking colour palette with strong, clear whites and moderately warm-toned colour saturation everywhere else. Two very good new interviews too by way of eminently worthwhile extras lasting over an hour. Excellent. And this from Cult, whose catalogue is otherwise largely a Hall of Shame. Who would have thought?

how much was it in Fopp ? thanks

[sjt]

£20 (though down to undue influence and friends in low places I paid somewhat less....)

[eddyw78]

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

I bought the old Criterion disc as a blind buy. One of the few films I've ever felt morally revulsed by..

This was the one and only Criterion BD I bought and resold after just one watch. Just couldn’t get on with this movie.

[derek_1999]

Is this version shipping with a slipcase?

[raphph]

Originally Posted by derek_1999

Is this version shipping with a slipcase?

Mine arrived today without from Amazon

[leoganzi]

Originally Posted by LaughingWindows

Can you people answer this about the English subs?
Thanks!

No subs for the main feature. I skipped through the disc, the colour surely looks better than the Criterion, but the compression on this release is mediocre to me.

[LaughingWindows]

Originally Posted by leoganzi

No subs for the main feature. I skipped through the disc, the colour surely looks better than the Criterion, but the compression on this release is mediocre to me.

Thank you, man

What a lazy job -- not adding subs -- I suppose some so-called boutique labels cannot afford to sit their arses for an entire afternoon and do the job.

Anyway, now that I'm intrigued by this movie, I gonna get the Criterion, even if the colors/pq are inferior to this, according to some reviews.

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by eddyw78

This was the one and only Criterion BD I bought and resold after just one watch. Just couldn’t get on with this movie.

I haven't sold mine but I can understand why you did. I'm glad I'm not the only one that came to that conclusion.