- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,432
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
For those unaware, F. Scott Fitzgerald was THE writer of the jazz age. Working for only two decades before his death in 1940, he created some of the finest novels of his generation. Think - The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night. His final novel, The Last Tycoon was unfinished at this death and completed from his notes.
Elia Kazan's 1976 film, produced by S.P. Eagle with a screenplay by Harold Pinter is a class act.
Paramount's new Blu-ray is a credible representation of the film as photographed by Victor Kemper. I'm not familiar enough with it to be precise, but I'm hoping that whomever did the final work toward Kino's Blu-ray checked reference. Black levels in the opening appear a bit heavy, but I can't say that they're incorrect. They certain work.
Grain seems in place and the palette works beautifully. Do not adjust your set-ups. Parts of the film are in black & white.
The film has an interesting construction, which I'll leave you to discover.
Cast is superb.
Monroe Stahr (patterned after M-G-M wunderkind, Irving Thalberg is played by Robert De Niro. If you're seeking names before you purchase -- Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Jeanne Moreau, Jack Nicholson, Donald Pleasence, Ray Milland and Dana Andrews.
A warning. I happen to like this film, for which Mr. Kazan came out of retirement. Some reviewers were not kind. It works for me. Your mileage may vary.
Image – 9
Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Works in projection - Yes
Works up-rezzed to 4k - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely
Worth your attention - 6 to 9
Slipcover rating - 3
Highly Recommended
RAH
Elia Kazan's 1976 film, produced by S.P. Eagle with a screenplay by Harold Pinter is a class act.
Paramount's new Blu-ray is a credible representation of the film as photographed by Victor Kemper. I'm not familiar enough with it to be precise, but I'm hoping that whomever did the final work toward Kino's Blu-ray checked reference. Black levels in the opening appear a bit heavy, but I can't say that they're incorrect. They certain work.
Grain seems in place and the palette works beautifully. Do not adjust your set-ups. Parts of the film are in black & white.
The film has an interesting construction, which I'll leave you to discover.
Cast is superb.
Monroe Stahr (patterned after M-G-M wunderkind, Irving Thalberg is played by Robert De Niro. If you're seeking names before you purchase -- Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Jeanne Moreau, Jack Nicholson, Donald Pleasence, Ray Milland and Dana Andrews.
A warning. I happen to like this film, for which Mr. Kazan came out of retirement. Some reviewers were not kind. It works for me. Your mileage may vary.
Image – 9
Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Works in projection - Yes
Works up-rezzed to 4k - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely
Worth your attention - 6 to 9
Slipcover rating - 3
Highly Recommended
RAH