Feeney, Gitt, and Jones all talk about first seeing the film and their reactions to it, along with how its reputation has grown over time since its initial cold reception. The commentary was recorded in 2008 and some aspects date it (they wish the recently deceased Peter Graves a happy birthday for instance) but overall it’s a very passionate and engaging track, with all participants recorded together. Both the UCLA Film and Television Archive (for their restoration) and Criterion (for the sharp transfer) really knocked it out for this it looks far better than I ever could have hoped for.Ĭriterion’s two-disc set is loaded with a few hours of material, some of which I think were originally produced for the abandoned MGM special edition, starting with the audio commentary found on the first disc featuring film critic F.X Feeney, film archivist Robert Gitt, author Preston Neal Jones, and second-unit director Terry Sanders. I never thought we’d get a new presentation after MGM abandoned their rumoured special edition (I assume because of their financial “troubles”) but Criterion stepped in and I couldn’t be more thrilled with what we get. Other than this moment, though, I didn’t notice any other artifacts or digital problems, the digital transfer itself looking very smooth and clean. There was one moment in the first bedroom scene with Winters’ and Mitchum’s characters where I detected some shimmering effects in the drapes, which oddly appear in special features that present the scene as well. In this regard it has been cleaned up wonderfully. ![]() The print also presents little damage, just a few minor blemishes. Contrast has been greatly improved upon, looking more natural with more distinct gray levels and strong, inky blacks. The image remains consistently sharp throughout and there isn’t a moment where I noticed it go significantly soft. Film grain is present and looks natural, but does get heavy on occasion. The high-def digital transfer presents a very film-like image, presenting fine object details not noticeable before in the sets, landscapes, and even clothing. Working from a new restoration performed by the UCLA Film and Television Archive, The Night of the Hunter now looks the best it ever has on home video. Still, Criterion’s Blu-ray is a welcome upgrade and manages to improve upon that transfer in every way. It presented the film open-matte (which may or may not be an issue to some) and did at times look to have been boosted, but the materials were in pretty good shape and the transfer was at least incredibly sharp and fairly clean it looks good upscaled. ![]() Originally released by MGM on DVD it was actually a pretty decent release, despite being released during the early days of the format. Thinking I would never see the day, Criterion presents Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter on Blu-ray in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 on the first dual-layer disc of this two-disc set.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |