A new Criterion Bluray of Jules Dassin‘s Rififi will street on 1.14.14. I already own the French-language-only Gaumont Bluray, which I bought in Paris two years ago, so the Criterion (created from a2K mastering) is only an interesting buy because of the English subtitles. They’ve also included “an optional English-dubbed soundtrack”…what? The point of the Criterion brand is to sell or pass along that feeling of being a cultured film snob (“Hey, is that Dennis Lim checking out the new Ozu?…he’s a cool guy, Dennis…we talk from time to time”) so what Criterion fan would watch…choke, gag…a dubbed Rififi? But Tang Yau Hoong‘s cover art is perfect.
