This tragic postwar romance is a tale of class anxiety and classic Romantic fatalism, run through with a typically French frankness about sex and gender. Jean Gabin is the titular character, an unpretentious and proudly working class building contractor, who falls in love with Marlene Dietrich’s ravishing shopgirl Blanche, quite unaware that she comes trailing a notorious sexual history and attracts the determined ardor of every man she meets. Among her current lovers (the American title was The Room Upstairs) is a local politician who plans on marrying Blanche once his terminally ill wife dies, but Gabin’s sensible lug doesn’t care, though it’s clear that the ever-opportunistic Blanche will choose wealth over love.

Until she doesn’t. Both Lacombe’s film and Dietrich’s performance have a sphinx-like attitude toward this femme fatale, and that still-gestating film noir stereotype is subtly deepened. Blanche is not judged or made to seem amoral. The men that buzz around her are not villainized, either – they’re just following their toxic hearts, in a culture where women like Blanche have so few options. Meanwhile, as the melodrama heats up, Gabin and Dietrich radiate pure matinee charisma, in the only movie these two icons ever made together.

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Video Quality

Martin Roumagnac debuts on Blu-Ray courtesy of Icarus Films with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio that is derived from a brand new 2K restoration. This is a gorgeous transfer that preserves the natural look of this classic outing while eliminating nearly all serious blemishes. The transfer maintains exceptional film grain throughout, as everything resolves lovingly with no major downturns with spiking or swarming. The contrast of the sumptuous black-and-white photography holds firm with black levels appearing deep and highlights never getting too bright. There has been obvious care into making this look as good as possible. There are no notable issues with compression artifacts or any other such digital anomalies. This presentation is a sight to behold.

Audio Quality

The new Blu-Ray is presented with a newly restored DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track in the original French with optional English subtitles. This aspect of the presentation holds up comparably to the video portion with no obvious shortcomings. The score avoids sounding shrill or fragile even at its highest notes thanks to its steadfast fidelity. There are a few weaker detours where you will hear a fluctuation in the audio, but these are sparse at worst and not a serious issue. Dialogue comes through well, and there is not much in the way of underlying hiss. This is not the most kinetic presentation due to the requirements of the narrative, but everything proves to be in top form for what is asked of it.

Special Features

Booklet: There is a multi-page booklet included that features the essay “Martin Roumagnac: Jean Gabin, Marlene Dietrich, and the End of an Era” by Blandine Etienne that explores this film as a turning point in the careers of its stars.

Final Thoughts

Martin Roumagnac is a stirring melodrama that allows Marlene Dietrich to capitalize on her raw magnetism without sacrificing the latent vulnerability at her core. The connection she forms with Jean Gabin is palpable even when you know there are forces lingering around the corner waiting to drive them apart. The narrative may leave you a bit frustrated as it adheres to conventions of the genre, but it packs a punch all the same due to the groundwork it lays with the characters. Icarus Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a stunning A/V presentation that gives the film the second lift it deserves. Lovers of French cinema should not miss this one. Recommended

Martin Roumagnac is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Icarus Films and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.