Delicatessen [DVD] [1991]

We're not in Fleet Street, where human flesh is only palatable if made into pies. As the butcher wraps up a hunk of meat, he reassures the customer "It's OK, he died of natural causes." As a phantasmagorical black comedy the film works well enough. Film buffs might admire the camera angles, special effects (1991 not 2021) the fast cut editing and so forth.A historical curiosity. I hope.

This film is yet another example of a cult status film, this time from 1991, which enjoys a quirky plot to say the least. Essentially the film is set in the unspecified future within an urban landscape. The main action takes place at the local butcher's shop which has flats let out above to a varied range of inhabitants. Food supplies are scarce, particularly those of meat, so the butcher is a main player.There is a new tenant taken on by the butcher in the form of a general maintenance man. He is actually an out of work circus clown and he is full of useful and entertaining talents. There is an underground resistance movement which operates underground and makes forays out to the world above for various reasons.If all of this seems quirky and strange, it is! It is also the cause of much good humoured mirth and the unusual plot and its delivery resulted in 4 Cesar awards the following year for Best Editing, Best First Work, Best Production Design and best Writing. Not surprisingly this debut film of Jeunet and Caro has attracted a keen and loyal following. Others will need to buy the film to find out now all these ingredients work out - it will be worth it.However, this review is not intended to discuss the actual film as by now it will have both its supporters and detractors. Entering into those conflicts is not the purpose of the review which is aimed squarely at the many supporters of this film.Essentially, for all of those who are keen supporters of this film and who have bought the previous DVD version of this disc, the only issue of vital importance will be whether the Blu-ray offers an improvement technically sufficient to justify the additional expense.For this reviewer the answer is a clear affirmative. The upgrade offers a clear advance on both image and audio quality with the imaging being a marked improvement. The colours are firmer and there is an increase to the perceived depth of the imaging. The whole film simply becomes more 'real.' The film, which is so concerned with close characterisation, benefits considerably from this enhancement of reality.The degree of improvement experienced from this BD will also inevitably depend on the replay equipment used. The following technical information is intended to be a guide to aid in assessment.The screen used for this review is only of moderate dimensions being a 40 inch television screen. However, the television is a high performing 4K unit which delivers a compensating positive effect. The moderate screen size lacks the impact of larger screens but is less critical of film faults.However, the contributing player is, unusually, able to separate the audio and visual HDMI signals before they leave separately to the television and pre-amp. That feature enhances both the visual and audio elements of the output. The audio, not so critical in the case, delivers an unusually wide-ranging and revealing performance.Readers with alternative equipment will have to interpret this review bearing in mind their own equipment and its comparative advantages and disadvantages.The disc offers purchasers with suitable replay equipment a substantial improvement over the previous DVD.In summary this fascinating and quirky film has responded well to the upgrade and the BD version is well worth considering.

From gorgeous colours and camera movements to hypnotic melodies played on a saw!!This is a beautiful film, so very french, sophisticated and confident, the story wonderfully inventive and riveting. Equally amusing, poignant and artistic.The two directors are from the Advertising Industry and it's shows.A beautiful movie.

This is a film is set in a post-apocalyptic, gruesome and surreal world. The moments of comedy are great and so is the acting.Although very different, it has a similar satirical element as found in Brazil by Terry Gilliam.Many other four and five star reviews have described the film in a lot more detail, with the accuracy and the way I would describe the film, so I will not reiterate what has been stated.

A dark comedy worth taking the time to savour. Along with the main tale there are the little side-stories of the characters living in the various apartments which all intertwine in some way as the film unfolds. One can try and search for hidden meanings - the cannibal carnivores and those subversive vegetarians - or just enjoy it for the curious tale that it is. Despite its dark nature there is little violence or blood which is a good change from the gore that would likely appear if this was a Hollywood spectacular. The English subtitles capture the nuances as well as the original soundtrack does.

Charmingly quirky, outstanding moments when two of the main characters locate a skweeky bed spring by sitting on the bed and swaying to Hawaiian music and character Aurora, who believes she hears ghostly voices, attempts suicide using a bath and an electric fire.

Although the picture quality is good blu-ray quality, there are none of the background features that are on the dvd release.Disappointing.

You need to be feeling strong to view this, not relaxing viewing, expensive!