Not Rated

Running Time: 109 Minutes

Starring: Gérard Blain, Jean-Claude Brialy, Juliette Mayniel, Michéle Méritz, Guy Decomble, Geneviéve Cluny, Corrado Guarducci and Claude Cerval 

Screenplay by: Claude Chabrol, Paul Gégauff

Directed by: Claude Chabrol

Studio: Criterion

Retail Price: $39.95

Features: Audio Commentary with film scholar Adrian Martin, Theatrical Trailer

Specs: 1.33:1 Full Screen 1080p High Definition, French PCM Mono, English Subtitles, Chapters (21 Chapters)

Released: September 20th, 2011

Les Cousins is presented in a 1080p High Definition transfer, with the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. This is a fairly pristine transfer, made all the more impressive given that the movie is over 50 years old. The movie's lush black-and-white cinematography looks lovely, as detail is rather superb and black levels themselves are solid. The amount of fine grain shown hits a good balance, too. The print itself has a few little imperfections, but it is astoundingly clean. Another exquisite Criterion effort. 

Les Cousins features an uncompressed French Mono track. As you would expect, it is a very straightforward track. Despite its limits, it does have its pleasures: dialogue is crisp, the sound effects can be heard, and Paul Misraki's score — which does set the mood — sounds great too. The track has plenty of clarity, and pretty high fidelity to boot too.  

English subtitles are included.

The major supplement is the Audio Commentary with film scholar Adrian Martin. Martin, who has an Australian accent, is a very lively and engaging speaker. Filled with insights, Martin goes through topics seamlessly and with remarkable ease: he talks about touchstones of Charbol's films, the motifs of the movie, the characters, the actors, the legendary director's visual style and much more. He points out a lot of great details within the movie too. For fans of Chabrol or the movie, this is well worth your time — Martin is an excellent guide. (Also, it's clear this track was recorded well over a year ago — Martin mentions that Chabrol is still going strong, but the director died in September 2010.)

The four minute Theatrical Trailer is also included, and the Criterion booklet has an essay by critic Terrfence Rafferty and excerpts from Jean-Claude Brialy's memoir.

Les Cousins is an engrossing slice of life from famed director Claude Chabrol, and Criterion has given the movie a nice little release. Adrian Martin's commentary is solid, while the (52 year-old) movie looks and sounds quite good. Fans of French New Wave and of Chabrol must give this one a spin.