The Contract (Raw Deal), of the Rififi in Chicago

IMAGE – Rififi in Chicago

Obtained from several original 35 mm elements, this episodicly problematic 4K restoration remains very conclusive in its entirety.

What's the matter? The introductory scene suffers from a definition below the previous Blu-ray (!) and colorimetric anomalies have strayed on a handful of planes (unwanted sunburns on the faces and magenta that has nothing to do here). Fortunately, these inconveniences are quickly forgotten by the work done next door.

The frozen grain, the strengthening of the contours and the excess brightness of its HD counterpart are of ancient history, now places to a well dusted organic image (with two or three scratches) and recombined that displays finer details (suits, hairstyles, environments), brighter colors (reds come out of the screen), more pronounced contrasts (blacks gain in depth) and pleasantly enhanced light sources (reflections, urban lighting, interior lighting).

SON – P like Chicken!

Encoded in 24-bit and no longer 16-bit, multichannel mixing which only too rarely affects rear channels (in the few shootings) is terribly lacking in dynamic intensity (the VF is still less « thin ») despite surprisingly present bass; which is fortunately not the case of « new » LPCM 2.0 soundtracks (stereophonics only) that must be prioritized.

Much more energetic and equipped with a more midrange « thick », they deliver effects (gunshots, explosions) and score with a completely different commitment. In any case, the voices are clear and the sound clean (no breath or distortion).

CONCLUSION – Deal?

For Schwarzy fans, there is no doubt that this 4K Ultra HD edition will find a place of choice in the video library dedicated to the actor. It must be said that his muscles and his « Frost » are particularly highlighted by the A/V performances of this disc, which has set itself the mission of rehabilitating this unrighteous mafia polar. Where do we sign?