’Round Midnight
’Round Midnight is a love letter from director Bertrand Tavernier to the heyday of bebop and the Black American musicians who found refuge in the smoky underground jazz clubs of 1950s Paris. In a sui generis, Oscar-nominated fusion of performer and character, legendary saxophonist Dexter Gordon plays Dale Turner, a brilliant New York jazz veteran whose music aches with beauty but whose personal life is ravaged by addiction. Searching for a fresh start in Paris, Turner strikes up an unlikely friendship with a struggling single father and ardent jazz fan (François Cluzet) who finds his life transformed as he attempts to help the self-destructive musician. Herbie Hancock’s evocative, Oscar-winning score sets the mood for this definitive jazz film, a bittersweet opus that glows with lived-in, soulful authenticity.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New 4K digital restoration, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio
- New interview with jazz and cultural critic Gary Giddins
- New conversation with music producer Michael Cuscuna and author Maxine Gordon, widow of musician Dexter Gordon
- Before Midnight, a 1986 behind-the-scenes documentary by Jean Achache
- Panel discussion from 2014 featuring Cuscuna, Maxine Gordon, director Bertrand Tavernier, and jazz scholar John Szwed, moderated by jazz critic and broadcaster Mark Ruffin
- Performance from 1969 of “Fried Bananas” by Dexter Gordon, directed by Teit Jørgensen
- New English subtitle translation and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by scholar Mark Anthony Neal
New cover by F. Ron Miller
BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New 4K digital restoration, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio
- New interview with jazz and cultural critic Gary Giddins
- New conversation with music producer Michael Cuscuna and author Maxine Gordon, widow of musician Dexter Gordon
- Before Midnight, a 1986 behind-the-scenes documentary by Jean Achache
- Panel discussion from 2014 featuring Cuscuna, Maxine Gordon, director Bertrand Tavernier, and jazz scholar John Szwed, moderated by jazz critic and broadcaster Mark Ruffin
- Performance from 1969 of “Fried Bananas” by Dexter Gordon, directed by Teit Jørgensen
- New English subtitle translation and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by scholar Mark Anthony Neal
New cover by F. Ron Miller
Cast
- Dexter Gordon
- Dale Turner
- François Cluzet
- Francis Borier
- Gabrielle Haker
- Berangere
- Sandra Reaves-Phiillips
- Buttercup
- Lonette McKee
- Darcey Leigh
- Christine Pascal
- Sylvie
- Herbie Hancock
- Eddie Wayne
- Bobbie Hutcherson
- Ace
- Martin Scorsese
- Goodley
- John Berry
- Ben
Credits
- Director
- Bertrand Tavernier
- Written by
- David Rayfiel
- Bertrand Tavernier
- Produced by
- Irwin Winkler
- Director of photography
- Bruno De Keyzer
- Production designer
- Alexandre Trauner
- Editor
- Armond Psenny
- Costume designer
- Jacqueline Moreau
- Music composed, arranged, and conducted by
- Herbie Hancock
- Bass
- Ron Carter
- Pierre Michelot
- Mads Vinding
- Percussion
- Cheikh Fall
- Piano
- Herbie Hancock
- Cedar Walton
- Drums
- Billy Higgins
- Tony Williams
- Trumpet
- Freddie Hubbard
- Éric Le Lann
- Palle Mikkelborg
- Guitar
- John McLaughlin
- Michel Perez
- Soprano and tenor saxophone
- Wayne Shorter
- Vibes
- Bobby Hutcherson
A scene from ’Round Midnight
