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The Crimson Rivers is an openly acknowledged French attempt to make a big Hollywood-style serial-killer thriller. Jean--Ronin(1997)--Reno is Niemans, who while investigating the case of a horrifically mutilated body finds himself partnered with Kerkerian, a younger detective played by Vincent Cassell, (La Haine). Set in beautiful mountain country and shot in CinemaScope by Thierry Arbogast (Leon), it looks fabulous. Kassovitz packs the frame with stylish flourishes from a breathtaking helicopter shot in homage to The Shining (1980), to a lavish stairwell tracking shot inspired by Vertigo (1958). With a sumptuously layered score and some superbly achieved special effects The Crimson Rivers has all the expensive sheen of the American movies it imitates. Unfortunately it also proves Europeans can make films as technically accomplished but ludicrously plotted as Hollywood can: for what begins as a tense and unsettling police procedural, mutates into an action movie where the details make no sense. Even the Boys From Brazil inspired plot is ludicrous. Demonstrating Kassovitz has seen plenty of Brian De Palma and Dario Argento movies, The Crimson Rivers entertains despite its own absurdity, and should see the director following Luc Besson to Hollywood to make even bigger and dumber blockbusters.
On the DVD: Despite not being labelled a special edition this two disc set is one of the most impressive releases on DVD this year; all the more remarkable for being a French film barely seen in UK cinemas. The 2.35-1 anamorphically enhanced transfer is virtually flawless while the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is superb. Apart from the original French soundtrack there are English and Spanish dubbed versions, and subtitles in 20 languages (including English and French). The first disc includes three trailers, plus three more for other Columbia releases, and two commentary tracks. The first features Reno, Cassel and Kassovitz--all talking at full speed providing a wealth of information. The second--a commentary by composer Bruno Coulais--offers a real insight into the use of music in film as he explains his approach to specific scenes and his overall philosophy of film scoring. This track also features the score isolated in Dolby Digital 5.1, though Colais does talk over the beginning of some cues.
The second disc contains over two hours of documentary material. First is a serious 52-minute making-of, in which cast and director explain how the film was constantly re-written, going so far as to admit it makes no sense. Further documentaries are on "The Scalpel Scene" (26 min) and the "making of the corpse" (9 min) used in the opening scenes. There is seven minutes on shooting the martial arts fight, with or without commentary, nine minutes on shooting the car chase and a section playing the chase alongside the original storyboards, with or without commentary. A documentary on filming the mountain climax (10 min) and a further documentary on creating a digital avalanche (15 min), plus a multi-angle feature presenting the scene as storyboards, edited rushes, special effects or outtakes. The Production Designer archives (13 min) covers the sets. Additionally there is footage from the Far East promotional tour, a poster gallery, filmographies of Cassel, Reno and Kassovitz, the complete storyboards for four sequences, including the never-filmed originally planned opening and a gallery of on-set still photographs. It's a veritable "how to make a blockbuster" on two shiny discs. --Gary S Dalkin
Product Description
Expert investigator Pierre Niémans (Jean Réno) arrives in a small university town in the French Alps ready to examine the recent victim of a suspected serial killer. When more corpses turn up, he teams up with local cop Max Kerkerian (Vincent Cassel) and tries to unravel the grisly clues the killer leaves in his wake. Gradually, the cops realise that they are up against a dangerous conspiracy of silence, one which hides a terrible secret from the not-so-distant past, and set about bringing that secret out into the open.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Rowena Hoseason
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Jean Reno and Vincent Cassell -- what's not to like? Both actors lift an otherwise inconsistent movie above its natural three-star slot.
The Crimson Rivers is a strange hybrid of Hollywood hyperbole and continental cnic, and the mix can be somewhat confusing. The plot isn't altogether clear -- at least not in the dubbed version. With sub-titles it's easier to follow especially if you can busk some of the French dialogue.
The film's preposterous ending suggests that the producers didn't quite know where to take it; the plot veers from noir detective to X-Files-esque neo-Nazi conspiracy to James Bond blows up the whole shebang at the end.
But hey, we had a good time watching it. There's an enjoyable film in here and a couple of great actors. I'll just echo what others have said: I'd be happy to rent this but a bit less happy if I'd paid 20 notes to own it. This isn't the kind of film you'll come back to watch over and again...
The Crimson Rivers is a strange hybrid of Hollywood hyperbole and continental cnic, and the mix can be somewhat confusing. The plot isn't altogether clear -- at least not in the dubbed version. With sub-titles it's easier to follow especially if you can busk some of the French dialogue.
The film's preposterous ending suggests that the producers didn't quite know where to take it; the plot veers from noir detective to X-Files-esque neo-Nazi conspiracy to James Bond blows up the whole shebang at the end.
But hey, we had a good time watching it. There's an enjoyable film in here and a couple of great actors. I'll just echo what others have said: I'd be happy to rent this but a bit less happy if I'd paid 20 notes to own it. This isn't the kind of film you'll come back to watch over and again...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Lochman
Format:DVD
I bought this film largely because one of the main characters is played by Jean Reno who is a magnificent actor. I didn't really know anything else about it but it proved a worthwhile investment! The plot concerns the investigation of a serial killer, a theme that has been well covered by Hollywood with classics such as "Se7en" and "Righteous Kill" but it's good to see it given such stylish treatment in a European film.
The story itself is almost ridiculously complicated although the clues are all there for those with sharp eyes and ears. But don't worry if concentration is not your thing. Events unfold at a cracking pace and, despite the shock of the graphic crimes portrayed, there are plenty of humourous touches to balance things. All the uniformed cops ("flics") are portrayed as consistently lightweight (if not stupid) whilst the detectives are dogged, macho men who slog their way relentlessly through the epic twists and turns of the plot.
The interplay of the two main characters (Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel) helps to sustain interest throughout the film and Reno in particular illustrates well the tremendous toll that is exacted from anyone who takes on the task of investigating the depths of sheer evil to which human beings can occasionally sink. It's a rough ride, this film, but a journey that you will almost certainly want to make on more than one occasion, having been through it once.
The story itself is almost ridiculously complicated although the clues are all there for those with sharp eyes and ears. But don't worry if concentration is not your thing. Events unfold at a cracking pace and, despite the shock of the graphic crimes portrayed, there are plenty of humourous touches to balance things. All the uniformed cops ("flics") are portrayed as consistently lightweight (if not stupid) whilst the detectives are dogged, macho men who slog their way relentlessly through the epic twists and turns of the plot.
The interplay of the two main characters (Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel) helps to sustain interest throughout the film and Reno in particular illustrates well the tremendous toll that is exacted from anyone who takes on the task of investigating the depths of sheer evil to which human beings can occasionally sink. It's a rough ride, this film, but a journey that you will almost certainly want to make on more than one occasion, having been through it once.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
An interesting movie which has good acting for a change, the movie centers around a perstigious college in France and how people are being killed there. There is a link to the idea of the "Superman" in a philosphy which does make the movie even more intersting than it already is. It is a similar to the movie se7en with murders everywhere and crimson is a good indication of what happens. The two actors do capture the screen Cassel as the young cop and Reno as the experienced one do work very well. But the ending is somewhat of a copp-out which is such a shame. But it still worth a look.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By louise
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a big fan of Jean Reno and really enjoyed this movie great acting and good story line a must for your movie collection.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By the 12th man
Format:DVD
Very atmospheric with Reno playing his usual stormer.Plot has been well covered in other reviews and it moves along nicely and was well thought out,I have to say I thought it was excellent.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I found this to be an excellent crime thriller with a relatively unique premise and setting. From ice caves to university halls two dogged detectives follow the clues to solve a particularly grizzly series of murders. The detectives are well worn characters but made appealing none the less by energetic performances from Vincent Cassel and Jean Reno. The director managed to infuse each scene with a depth of atmosphere you just dont see much anymore and the French style is present on screen, you're aware that this is a French movie but it has a mainstream Hollywood feel to it. I found the dialogue punchy and far less bloated than my previous exposures to French cinema. There's plenty of action on offer, sadly some of it used as character development to save time, and I found the story very interesting which is a major bonus in comparison to lots of US thrillers these days. All in all, a decent movie experience.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By tallmanbaby
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is a film that I enjoy watching every year of two. It features two fantastic actors, Cassel and Reno, in what for them are fairly stereotypical parts. However the real star of the show is the fantastic setting and photography. This film looks stunning from beginning to end. From the bleak side of a motorway to the teutonic looking mountainside university. It runs along like an episode of the X Files, throwing in little disconcerting hints of things amiss. The plot is about two detectives, who end up working together to investigate a series of murders. But the murders are linked to a coverup, but a coverup of what?
The ending has divided viewers, I suspect that some people love the film so much, that they defend the ending, but to be frank it is a couple of rewrites short of coherence. I daresay the original book probably explains things better, and with ten minutes I could probably come up with an explanation for it all, but best to just accept the ending flawed as it is.
There are bits in the films of David Fincher, where you are just taken aback by how a scene is shot, pretty much this whole film is like that, stunning to watch.
The DVD comes with an DVD of extras, and last time I watched it it was in English with English subtitles which did not quite match what was being said, but probably just my ineptitude with remote controls.
Finally nice to see Francine Berge, who was the pert villainess in Judex back in 1963! There must be something in the French DNA that renders some actresses impervious to age.
The ending has divided viewers, I suspect that some people love the film so much, that they defend the ending, but to be frank it is a couple of rewrites short of coherence. I daresay the original book probably explains things better, and with ten minutes I could probably come up with an explanation for it all, but best to just accept the ending flawed as it is.
There are bits in the films of David Fincher, where you are just taken aback by how a scene is shot, pretty much this whole film is like that, stunning to watch.
The DVD comes with an DVD of extras, and last time I watched it it was in English with English subtitles which did not quite match what was being said, but probably just my ineptitude with remote controls.
Finally nice to see Francine Berge, who was the pert villainess in Judex back in 1963! There must be something in the French DNA that renders some actresses impervious to age.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of time!
Good grief, how did this make it past my filters?! Utterly laughable. Full of bits where you'll be going 'oh, come ON! Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2011 by El Zilcho
5.0 out of 5 stars
Atmospheric and scary thriller which will keep you guessing...
Great story which will keep you guessing until the end, even if some parts do not always ring true. This is a thriller, not a French Art house movie. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2010 by cccp
5.0 out of 5 stars
The French touch is touching, maybe touchy
This film was shot in English for the main actors and not dubbed afterwards, or if it was it was by these main actors. Read more
Published on 21 July 2010 by Jacques COULARDEAU
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Crimson Rivers
I was very disappointed with this movie especially as it contains two fine french actors in Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by Mr. B. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gory but Good
Watched this some time ago and wanted to see Crimson Rivers II, ended up buying both from the Amazon website. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by KJP
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best French Movie I've ever seen!
First and foremost, watch this movie in the original french language, with the English subtitles. This will give you a much better experience, as the English dubbing is not that... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2010 by John Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent French Thriller
Jean Reno plus crime thriller. They are made for each other. Keep them coming.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Published on 24 July 2009 by J. Gould
3.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully filmed tasty but surprisingly unfulfilling.
I bought this on the general run of modern French cinema movies, starting with Red Riding Hood (very Dark horror), Frontiers (Darker Horror), and the ridiculously priced £2. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2009 by Victor deBs
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