Hardboiled: Three Pulp Thrillers by Alain Corneau Blu-ray Review

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

In Hardboiled: Three Pulp Thrillers by Alain Corneau, Radiance presents three films by the French filmmaker across three discs that influenced the French crime drama genre in the mid-1970s and early 1980s.

Police Python 357 (1976) is an engaging French neo-noir crime thriller that explores themes of obsession, deception, and moral uncertainty. The movie features Yves Montand in the role of Inspector Marc Ferrot, a skilled yet fatigued officer who becomes involved in a perilous liaison with Sylvia (Stefania Sandrelli), the lover of his boss, Commissioner Ganay (François Périer). After Sylvia is killed, Ferrot becomes both the investigator and a suspect, ensnared in a tangle of deceit and corruption.

With its atmospheric mood, complex storyline, and psychological richness, Police Python 357 examines ideas of guilt and treachery, merging police procedural aspects with existential noir tension. Corneau’s direction, shaped by American crime films but clearly French in its self-reflection, crafts a tight, suspenseful story. The title of the film is indicative of the type of revolver Ferrot wields, symbolizing the deadly crossroads of justice and personal ruin. A prominent entry in 1970s French crime cinema, it continues to be an overlooked treasure.

Série noire (1979), directed by Alain Corneau, is a bleak, darkly comedic crime drama based on Jim Thompson’s novel A Hell of a Woman. The film stars Patrick Dewaere in a riveting performance as Franck Poupart, a down-on-his-luck door-to-door salesman drowning in poverty and frustration. His life takes a twisted turn when he meets Mona (Marie Trintignant), a troubled teenage girl trapped in an abusive household, and her manipulative aunt (Jeanne Moreau). 

Driven by desperation and delusions of grandeur, Franck hatches a half-baked scheme involving blackmail and murder, only to spiral further into paranoia and self-destruction. Corneau crafts a grim, almost surreal vision of working-class despair, blending pitch-black humor with existential dread. The film’s raw energy, jagged cinematography, and Dewaere’s unhinged performance make Série noire a standout in French néo-polar cinema—a brutal yet compelling dive into alienation and moral decay.

Choice of Arms (Le choix des armes, 1981) is a gripping French crime thriller that explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. The film stars Yves Montand as Noël Durieux, a retired gangster living peacefully in the countryside, whose past catches up with him when two fugitives—Mickey (Gérard Depardieu), a reckless young criminal, and his partner in crime (played by Catherine Deneuve’s then-partner, Claude Brasseur)—seek refuge at his farm. 

As tensions rise, Durieux is forced to navigate between protecting his new life and confronting his violent history. The film blends intense action with psychological depth, examining the choices people make under pressure. With strong performances and Corneau’s taut direction, Choice of Arms is a stylish and suspenseful entry in the French néo-polar (crime film) tradition.

The Video

Radiance says that the three films in this collection, Police Python 357, Série noire, and Choice of Arms, were supplied to them as high definition digital files, likely from StudioCanal. At least one of the films I could confirm were previously released in 2023 in the UK by StudioCanal, and that would be Police Python 357. None of the films looks like a particular stunning restoration, but they are satisfying. Police Python is the softest of the three, and Série noire steps up the crispness, with a thin layer of moderately dense grain. Finally, we get to Choice of Arms, which not only has the best production value of the trio, but comes through looking the best, with the best contrast, cleanest transfer, and most organic film grain. The first two films are framed in 1.66:1 and the third and final film, Choice of Arms, is the only one shot in CinemaScope and framed in 2.35:1. Each film is encoded in AVC 1080p.

The Audio

Each film comes with a French LPCM 2.0 mono audio mix. Choice of Arms was originally released in theaters with Dolby Stereo, but if this mix is stereo, it is the narrowest stereo imaging I have ever heard. It certainly is the most dynamic sounding track of the three films, especially when the upright bass from the score is highlighted and punches out from the speakers.

The Supplements

Radiance packs this limited edition collection with wonderful supplements and extras worth watching and reading. The 80-page booklet and beautiful packaging that includes a rigid matte box will have this one standing out in your collection.

• Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
• Limited edition 80-page booklet featuring new writing by Charlie Brigden, Andrew Male, Nick Pinkerton, Travis Woods, and newly translated archival interviews with Alain Corneau
• Limited edition of 2500 copies, presented in a rigid box with full-height Scanavo case and removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

Police Python 357

Bonus Features:

• Audio commentary by Mike White
• Maxim Jakubowski (1080p; 00:15:11) – In this newly recorded interview, writer and publisher Maxim Jakuwbowski discusses Corneau and his association with crime fiction, in particular the famous Série Noire imprint, which brought hardboiled fiction to France. Recorded exclusively for Radiance in October 2024.
• TV Interviews (1080p; 00:05:31) – In this archival interview, originally filmed for Belgian television in 1976, Alain Corneau and François Périer discuss their experiences filming Police Python 357 from the set.

Série Noire

Bonus Features:

• Série Noire: The Darkness of the Soul (1080p; 00:52:33) – This archival documentary from 2013 explores the making of Série Noire, with interviewees including producer Maurice Bernat, D.O.P. Pierre William-Glenn, actress Miriam Boyer, and Nadine Trintignant
• Alain Corneau & Marie Trintignant (720p; 00:28:52) – In this archival interview from 2002, Alain Corneau and Marie Trintignant discuss their experiences filming Série Noire.
• On Set Interviews (1080p; 00:10:56) – Originally recorded in 1981 for Belgian Television, Alain Corneau, Patrick Dewaere, and Miriam Boyer are interviewed from the set of Série Noire.
• A Hollyhock in a Cornfield: Jim Thompson on Screen (1080p; 00:29:41) – In this newly created visual essay, writer and programmer Paul Martinovic explores the complicated history of Jim Thompson screen adaptations, and how filmmakers have attempted to adapt his distinctive prose to the screen. Created exclusively for Radiance in December 2024.
• Trailer (1080p; 00:02:21)

Choice of Arms

Bonus Features:

• Shooting Choice of Arms (720p; 00:21:48) – In this archive documentary, originally recorded for French television in 1981, cameras are granted a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot for Choice of Arms.
• On-Set Interviews (720p; 00:18:12) – In this archive footage from 1981, director Alain Corneau and actors Catherine Deneuve, Yves Montand, and Gérard Depardieu are interviewed from the set of Choice of Arms.
• Manuela Lazic (1080p; 00:23:57) – In this newly recorded piece, writer and critic Manuela Lazic explores the life and career of the star of Choice of Arms, Yves Montand. Recorded exclusively for Radiance in November 2024.
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 00:02:42)

The Final Assessment

These three gritty noirs are a must-watch for all fans of crime drama and French cinema. They look good and contain excellent performances, especially in Choice of Arms, with its outstanding cast all around. Highly recommended.

Hardboiled: Three Pulp Thrillers by Alain Corneau is out on Blu-ray April 8, 2025 from Radiance Films

• Rating Certificate: Not Rated
• Studios & Distributors: Albina Productions S.a.r.l. | TIT Filmproduktion GmbH | Prospectacle | Gaumont | France 2 (FR2) | Parafrance Films | Sara Films | Radiance Films
• Director: Alain Corneau
• Run Time: 374 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 | 2.35:1
• Video Format: AVC 1080p
• Primary Audio: French LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Subtitles: English
• Street Date: 8 April 2025