Product Details

• Actors: Gerard Depardieu, Guillaume Canet, Ines Sastre, Andre Dussolier
• Directors: Sylvestre Guarino
• Format: Color, Widescreen, Import, Subtitled
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000277SCY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,684 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Widescreen, English Subtitles, Commentary by Director, Making Of Documentary, Special Effects Documentary, Interviews with Director & Cast, Character Sketches, Poster Gallery, Trailer & Teaser, Storyboards, Rock Video------ A man hangs from his fingertips above a well of flames. Above him is a mysterious creature behind a mirror-like mask. The creature removes his mask and Vidocq - the ex-con who has become a legendary detective - is horrified.-- Vidocq loosens his grip and falls into the abyss.-- It's 1864, and troubling events are striking terror in the heart of Paris. Men are suddenly bursting into flames. Young virgins are vanishing. Meanwhile, Etienne Boisset is determined to get to the heart of Vidocq's disappearance. His search takes him from the brothel to the opium den, through darken alleys and secret chambers, with the help of Preah, the seductive mistress of the missing detective.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for everyone but very well made!, January 4, 2007

By 

N. Williams - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Portals: The Chronicles of Vidocq (DVD)

As a photographer I really enjoyed the cinematography and camera work of this film, very dramatic. The plot was very clever and the settings couldn't have been better. Unless you have very poor eyesight I have to suggest you watch it in French, the English dubbing is pathetic. The fight scenes were very cool and the special effects were effective and not overdone. I say this movie isn't for everyone because it doesn't have a very mainstream Hollywood blockbuster feel, it has a very foreign essence to it. I venture to say if you liked Brotherhood Of The Wolf then you will probably like this one to. The mood at atmosphere of the film are brilliantly captured and every scene would make a wonderful still photograph. Be prepared to sit down and watch it without distractions, if you miss even a few minutes you might become confused. There are a lot of subtle flashbacks throughout the movie which may prove confusing if you're not paying attention. Anyway go out a rent this movie if you're looking for something other than your typical Hollywood style film. I have nothing against the French, when I visited southern France a few years ago I loved the people and the country and I have always loved their films and here's just another example why.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visually Dazzling, first All Digital Film..., September 11, 2004

By 

N. Chodoba "arrbogast" (Torrington, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vidocq (Original French Version with English Subtitles) (DVD)

Pitof, the one named director of Vidocq, has recently come unto infamy by being the director of Catwoman. This is a shame, because Vidocq is like nothing you have ever seen, whereas I am sure Catwoman will be the opposite. Regardless of his recent films, Pitof has been responsible for the visual effects of the Jeunet and Caro films "Delicatessen" and "City of Lost Children" and "Alien 4" (although again, like Catwoman, in 'Alien 4' these were French craftsman trying to translate to an American audience). I think I would not be in the minority if I were to say that the visual effects of those films (even Alien 4) were incredible, and revolutionary.
What Vidocq is, is nothing short of a mark for cinemaphiles. It is the first all-digitally produced film. It is a great gothic tapestry woven over an hour and a half that ends in a great showdown... But overall, it is an example of a film that was created outside of Hollywood, and using more European conventions to tell the story. It was very enjoyable to watch this film, because the story was not immediately obvious.
The visuals are INCREDIBLE! The sequence in the field with the lightning (you will know when you see it) is magnificent. I think that this is a template for what can (and will) be done in the future of digital filmmaking. I highly recommend this film.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply great film!!!, August 3, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dark Portals: The Chronicles of Vidocq (DVD)

One of the best action films of the last decade! This movie has everything: compelling and twisted story line that keeps you second guessing until the very end, fantastic special effects that actually look believable, beautiful cinematography, great cast and well placed and performed action scenes. I would highly recommend this film for anyone who enjoys action packed mystery movies.