COLLECTOR'S CRYPT - "DELICATESSEN" (SEVERIN FILMS 4K UHD)
Some folks think that genre films are often more dour and depressing, and we can understand why. They often deal with the darker side of humanity and present extremes to the audience that demonstrate the worst and best of something. Take “Terrifier” as an example. It’s a slasher movie, but it’s pushed to the absolute limit of our depraved imaginations both in its showcasing of violence and as well as its handling of logic. Genre films ask us to suspend our disbelief so we can immerse ourselves in other places, worlds, and experiences. It’s why genre fans are so rabid because genre film is the truest escapism one can experience on film. Severin Films, a champion of international genre films, has recently put out a 4K UHD release of the 1991 French film, “Delicatessen” co-directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro. Is this darkly humorous post-apocalyptic French hellscape the kind of escapism worth diving head into?
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Post-apocalyptic surrealist black comedy about the landlord of an apartment building who occasionally prepares a delicacy for his odd tenants.
HOW IS IT?
It’s hard to describe the genre that “Delicatessen” would fall under because of how unique the film is. You could call it a comedy, but a very dark one. You could say it’s a horror movie, but it doesn’t revel in the same kind of nihilism and violence germane to that genre. Then again, maybe it’s sci-fi because it puts forward a dystopian landscape with allusions to the collapse of society, and in turn, people. We posit it’s all of these, and it’s wonderful because of that diverse mix of genre inspirations. Jeunet and Caro have crafted a world that feels so much bigger than what we see because of how well-developed it is. Bolstered by outstanding production design and a sharp wit that with repeat viewings still finds ways to surprise you.
The story at the heart of “Delicatessen” is quite simple. The world has collapsed and along with it much of the food sources people need to survive. Animals are nowhere to be found, and people are resorting to dire means to feed themselves which includes reverting back to a bartering system of trade rather than a fiat currency. Louison (Dominique Pinon) is a former performer (clown) who arrives at an apartment building looking for work from the de facto boss, the butcher who owns the delicatessen downstairs. As Louison begins to immerse himself in the building and get to know the tenants, it becomes clear that the butcher and some of the tenants have other plans for Louison. It’s a strange and interesting story, but it is also charming as well. The characters are all so strange, like the man who lives in a semi-flooded apartment raising frogs and snails, the latter being consumed often. Or the two kids who run around the building smoking cigarettes and curiously spying on Louison. But what “Delicatessen” is at its core is a love story between Louison and Julie (Marie-Laure Dougnac). Julie is timid and reserved, and Louison is outgoing and eccentric, but they find common ground like many of the best love stories do, in their humanity. Standing in the way, of course, is the butcher who also happens to be Julie’s father. As tensions escalate and Julie tries to save Louison from a nasty fate, pandemonium ensues in a third act that is chaotically delightful.
The strength of “Delicatessen” lies largely in its commitment to creating a landscape that is believable and characters that are so quirky you can’t help but want to watch them. The humor is dark, but also heartwarming at times like the postman who is constantly being accosted by the kids in the building, or perhaps one of the most memorable scenes in the film involving a symphony of non-musical sounds all colliding in a harmonic beat. Bed springs as the bass line and mooing cow noises as the chorus the world built by Jeunet and Caro is fascinatingly alive despite how downtrodden and bleak the situation is. “Delicatessen” also revels in subtext about things like our reliance on meat-based nutrition, the authoritarian ways in which people leverage commodities to hold power over others, and above all the class struggle that separates those who have and those who don’t, particularly how the power dynamics shift when resources are scarce and people become desperate. Despite the sadness and melancholy, “Delicatessen” is still an uplifting film that makes it clear the only way we will survive as a species is if we center love and community, not the economics of capitalism.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
Severin continues to impress with the work they’re doing on restoring and bringing older genre films to new formats. The 4K UHD transfer here is absolutely stunning, but as with other releases it doesn’t bow down to the altar of overly glossy and clean. This tracks since the 4K transfer was sourced from the original camera negative which was done by StudioCanal under the supervision of co-director Jeunet. The Dolby Vision really shines here as well and breathes a lot of life into the darker scenes while also making the more colorful scenes pop. The use of earthy tones like beige and orange contrasts nicely with the green and blue hues of some of the set design and lighting. Images from this release are used throughout this review.
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
For the sound, Severin has included a 5.1 DTS-HD surround sound mix which is just perfect for the film. The soundscape is a joy to experience with a decent sound system because there is so much detail in the sound design itself. It makes us wish that an Atmos track was commissioned, but that would just be icing on an already amazing cake and shouldn’t deter from how good this mix is.
ANYTHING SPECIAL?
Severin has once again pulled out all the stops for this semi-obscure release and film fans are all the better for it. The first feature we checked out was Fine Cooked Meats - Making of Delicatessen, and this 14-minute montage of behind-the-scenes footage has no narration and is more of a collection of video captured during the filming of “Delicatessen.” This is far more interesting than it sounds as you get a chance to see how some of these shots were put together while also getting exposure to the process of filmmaking. The lack of narration could be a deterrent to some, and those interested in the process will be happy to see how the sausage is made (no pun intended).
The second feature we reviewed was pure joy, The Take of ‘Terry Gilliam Presents Delicatessen’ - Interview with Terry Gilliam. You’ve probably heard Gilliam’s name before one way or another, and this newly commissioned interview focuses on both Gilliam’s trajectory in the film industry as well as how he became involved with branding “Delicatessen” with his name. Most interesting from this is Gilliam’s passionate pursuit to make films that he wants to make not what the studios want, and how his open defiance often led to critical acclaim even though his films weren’t always box office successes. Gilliam’s brashness is on full display when he recalls taking out a full-page ad in Variety calling out the then head of Universal Pictures, Sid Sheinberg asking him to release his film “Brazil” as the studio shelved it upon completion. Harvey Weinstein, (ugh, we know) called up Gilliam and asked him if he wanted to put his name on “Delicatessen” since he acquired the rights, Gilliam was keen on seeing the film before giving it his blessing, but once he did he was enamored. Seeing him gush about the film like we do is a reminder that the best filmmakers are fans first. A full list of special features included is listed below.
Bonus Materials
Disc 1: 4K UHD (Film + Special Features)
Audio Commentary With Co-Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Trailer
Disc 2: Blu-ray (Film + Special Features)
Audio Commentary With Co-Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Interview With Co-Directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet And Marc Caro
Fine Cooked Meats – The Making Of DELICATESSEN
Copains Comme Cochons – Interview With Co-Director Marc Caro
The Tale Of 'Terry Gilliam Presents DELICATESSEN' – Interview With Terry Gilliam
Trailer
Disc 3: Blu-ray (Special Feature)*
Main Course Pieces – A Retrospective
Take Your Pig – Interview With Actor Jean-Claude Dreyfus
Archival Interviews With Cast, Crew And Critics
Jean-Pierre Jeunet Archives
LE BUNKER DE LA DERNIÈRE RAFALE – Short Film By Jean-Pierre Jeunet And Marc Caro
Exclusive Booklet By Claire Donner Of The Miskatonic Institute Of Horror Studies *
*This is an additional disc and booklet available with the limited edition release which is still available from Severin but was not included as part of our review
LAST RITES
“Delicatessen” is an early shoo-in for one of the best releases of 2025 and Severin has once again given this delightful film the treatment that it deserves, but had yet to receive. Aside from being one of the most visually interesting films out there, the tenderness of the story and quirkiness of the environment make this a must-buy for any and all genre fans.
THE GORY DETAILS
Thank you to the fine fiends over at Severin for providing a review copy for the crypt! Delicatessen is available NOW and can be purchased via Severin Direct!
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