Conformist (Blu-ray)

Bernardo Bertoluccis The Conformist returns in a stunning new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, included on Disc 1 of this special edition release (the 2011 HD restoration is included on Disc 2 for sake of comparison). One of the enduring masterpieces of the 1970s, Bertoluccis breakthrough film is an elegant portrait of the death throes of Italian Fascism and a triumph of pure style. Adapted by Bertolucci (an Oscar-nominated screenplay) from Alberto Moravias 1951 novel, it chronicles the life of secret police functionary Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant, Amour), who is sent on a mission to assassinate his former teacher, Professor Quadri (Enzo Tarascio), a leftist activist in exile in Paris. Clerici uses his honeymoon with new wife Giulia (Stefania Sandrelli, Stealing Beauty) as a cover for the job. But he soon becomes entranced by Quadris sensuous, haunted wife Anna (Dominique Sanda, 1900), and the Fascist tenets he once accepted without question begin to waver