4K Ultra HD – Edition FR – The smoking cat – 108 min (Thriller: A Cruel Picture) – 1 December 2022
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: HDR10
• Ratio: 1.67
Soundtrack
• Swedish DTS-HD MA 2.0
• French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
• French
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
WORK – Lange blinds of revenge
Sexually assaulted during her childhood, a young mute agrees to be taken by car by a man who makes her a heroin addict and prostitute by becoming her supporter. The hour of vengeance will soon ring...
Dominant by the stunning performance of the very pretty Christina Lindberg, this model of « rape and revenge » having influenced Quentin Tarantino for his diptych Kill Bill (Daryl Hannah had even had to watch it for the purposes of filming) is a black pearl of the cinema of exploitation of the 70s.
For from the slow calvary to the rolling rhythm where the spectator has no escape (like his mutic heroine), until the punitive expedition where time seems to stop for better delight, this extremist film (forbidden in Sweden and Finland) which does not hesitate to venture towards the western spaghetti during his quasi-mystic final act, leaves no room for pity.
IMAGE – Cold violence
Newly restored in 4K from the negative 16 mm, this presentation UHD HDR10 never betrays the rough nature of the photograph and even assures it an impressive « Projector ». It must be said that, again yesterday, this important work of underground culture was visible (at least in France) as in VHS and DVD!
The thick granular texture is fully preserved (there is nothing abnormal in the glistening of passages at idle), the details swirl from everywhere (the facial features, Tony's office wall woodwork, the tall grasses), the colorimetric palette is all simmering (greenness, autumn tints, carnation, reds), the contrasts that deliver globally solid blacks and natural whites are harmonious, and the light sources manifest themselves with a beautiful correctness (solarity, gyrophars, interior lighting).
And even if the presence of some scratches (especially at the bottom of the frame) come very slightly to alleviate the enthusiasm brought about by these images (which remain remarkably cleaned), discover Cold crime In such conditions it seemed impossible until then.
SOUND – Evocative silence
With little dialogue, this aggressive soundtrack (very strong and ardently dynamic) guided by a heavy score at the synth ensures a comfortable listening with its clarity.
Free from whistles and/or scratches related to his age, the VO « local color » based on a frontal soundscape (mixing 2.0) where the clumsy atmospheres and visceral effects shape a disturbing/disturbing hearing experience as possible.
Wider and prioritising for no real reason certain noises (such as wind that « sweep » the two-tones of the police vehicle when opening), the VF is also not as clean (of the breath) as his conœur.
CONCLUSION – Kill Tony: Integrated
Proposed in a superb three-folded digitipack beautifully illustrated, in which is a 1080p copy of the censored US version (They Call Her One Eye) and extra hours, the 4K Ultra HD drive will allow this great classic of « bis » to survive the ravage of time!
Artistic note
8
Video quality
8.5
Audio quality
7.5
0
[...] referenced (chanbara, HK Shaw Brothers, model of « rape and revenge » Cold Crime, the US series The Green Frelon, etc.) is a wonder of style where Tarantino, who enjoys himself, [...]