Why So Blu?

Weak Spot (Blu-ray Review)

Our Weak Spot Blu-ray review takes a look at one of the more obscure political thrillers to resurface on disc, this time from the darker corners of 1970s European cinema. Directed by Peter Fleischmann and starring Michel Piccoli, the 1975 film La Faille is slow-burning, unsettling, and soaked in paranoia. It’s the kind of movie that quietly gets under your skin — not with flashy action or big twists, but with mood, menace, and unease. Radiance Films brings it back into circulation with a new transfer and an edition that finally gives this hidden gem some room to breathe.  For fans of political thrillers or slow-burn dramas, this Weak Spot Blu-ray Review highlights why the film is worth rediscovering in high definition.

Film

If you’re into paranoid thrillers with a slow fuse and zero hand-holding, Weak Spot delivers. Directed by Peter Fleischmann, the film follows a seemingly harmless playboy (Ugo Tognazzi) who gets caught up in a political dragnet while on holiday in Greece. Two shadowy agents, played by Michel Piccoli and Mario Adorf, detain him and start what feels like a quiet road trip–except the road leads straight into suspicion, manipulation, and all kinds of quiet dread. It’s not a film that rushes to show its hand, but when it does, you realize you’ve been caught in a long-con from the jump.

Early on, I couldn’t help but think of Peter Falk in Columbo. Tognazzi’s character has that same laid-back, slightly amused vibe — like he knows more than he’s letting on. But as things unfold, it becomes less about charm and more about survival. The film leans hard into a kind of flat grey brutalism — both in its stark architecture and its view of people as disposable pawns in a much bigger, colder machine. It’s got layers of deception stacked on top of each other, and just when you think you’ve figured out who’s pulling the strings, it throws in another twist. It’s basically one long “psy-op,” and I didn’t fully catch onto it until halfway through.

What really seals the deal is Ennio Morricone’s score. It’s eerie, elegant, and at times surprisingly playful. Pair it with The Untouchables and you’ve got a great double album of moody tension and quiet dread. The film doesn’t lean on violence or chase scenes — it’s more about discomfort, stillness, and the feeling that someone is always two steps ahead of you. It’s tense without ever shouting, and that restraint makes it hit harder.

Radiance Films once again knocks it out of the park with the presentation. This is another underseen gem finally getting the attention it deserves. Sit back, enjoy an orangeade, and discover Weak Spot. It’s political, cynical, a little weird — and totally worth it.

Video

NOTE: Stills are provided for promotional use only and are not from the Blu-ray.

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1

Region: A, B

HDR: N/A

Layers: BD-50

Clarity and Detail: The 4K restoration really brings out the texture of the film’s environments—especially the harsh concrete buildings, weathered clothing, and sweat-soaked close-ups. Detail in faces and surfaces looks sharp without going overboard.

Depth: There’s a strong sense of depth, especially in wide shots of landscapes and long hallway interiors. Depth holds steady even in flatter-lit scenes, which is impressive given the film’s muted visual tone.

Black Levels: Black levels are solid and deep, with just the right amount of shadow detail in nighttime or low-lit sequences. Nothing looks crushed or hazy. The greyscale tones carry a nice range without dipping into murk.

Color: Colors are muted by design, but they’re stable and consistent. This is a film full of beige suits, olive drabs, and sun-faded signage, and all of it looks natural. Flesh and fabric tones never feel pushed or digitally altered.

Flesh Tones: Flesh tones look lifelike and balanced throughout, even in mixed lighting. Characters look natural in both sunny outdoor scenes and harshly lit interiors.

Noise and Artifacts: No signs of digital tinkering. Grain is present and organic, giving the image a proper filmic texture. No edge enhancement, no macro-blocking, and no unwanted compression.

Audio

Audio Format(s): French LPCM 2.0 Mono (listed as 1.0, but plays back in 2.0 mono)

Subtitles: English

Dynamics: For a mono track, it holds its ground well. The mix has a decent amount of range, especially when Morricone’s score kicks in. Nothing sounds flat or muffled, and levels are well managed across the board.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: N/A

Surround Sound: N/A

Dialogue: Dialogue is clear and easy to follow, even during overlapping conversations or tense scenes with background noise. No noticeable hiss or distortion, and the French delivery feels grounded and expressive.

 

Extras

Radiance Films keeps the limited-edition treatment strong with a solid lineup of extras. There’s a new 4K restoration from the original negative and uncompressed mono audio, both handled with care. Critic Travis Woods provides an excellent commentary track recorded in 2024, and there’s a vintage TV interview with Michel Piccoli that gives the film some welcome historical context. Soundtrack specialist Lovely Jon also pops in for a featurette that digs into Ennio Morricone’s underrated score. You also get a reversible sleeve, a newly translated subtitle track, and a limited edition booklet with new writing by Kat Ellinger. All of it comes packaged in a full-height Scanavo case with an OBI strip—classy as ever, and limited to 3,000 copies.

 

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• New 4K restoration from the original negative by Studio Canal
• Uncompressed mono PCM audio
• Audio commentary by critic Travis Woods (2024)
• Archival TV interview with Michel Piccoli discussing Weak Spot (1975)
• Soundtrack expert Lovely Jon discusses the Ennio Morricone score (2024)
• Newly improved English subtitle translation
• Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Kat Ellinger
• Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

 

Summary

Our Weak Spot Blu-ray review wraps up with a strong recommendation for anyone into paranoid ‘70s thrillers with political bite. The film itself is a slow-burn knockout — moody, smart, and full of quiet menace. Radiance Films gives it the release it deserves with a sharp 4K restoration, clean mono audio, and a nice set of special features, including a new commentary, interviews, and a Morricone-focused segment. From the transfer to the packaging, this one’s handled with care. If you’re into Euro-noir, Costa-Gavras-style tension, or just curious about deep-cut cinema done right, this disc absolutely belongs on your shelf. If you’re into under-seen political thrillers like this, check out our review of The Cat Blu-ray Review — another hidden gem released by Radiance Films.

 

Weak Spot is available on Blu-ray!

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