7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.9 |
The internecine congressional squabbling that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Starring: William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, Ken Howard (I), Donald Madden (I), John CullumMusical | 100% |
History | 28% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
In the days before C-SPAN captured everything that happened in the hallowed halls of congress, there was apparently much singing. Director Peter H. Hunt's 1776, based on the hit Broadway production of the same name, tells the story of early American independence through song and narrative that sees many of the key players in the nation's founding days not only debating the notion of independence from the British -- which states will support the movement, which will hold firm against -- but singing about their plights and the issues of the day, too. It's an odd combination to be sure, a costume drama with a background of centuries-old politics defined through song. The movie is about what one would expect, then, an oftentimes borderline silly and hammy take on one of the most important timeframes in history that's reduced to caricatures, quips, and not particularly contagious or memorable tunes. The movie is sometimes as dry as a poorly written history text and rarely alive as a captivating lecture on the subject. That middle ground isn't a bad place to be, warts and all, but don't count on 1776 to serve as a bedrock of early American independence education, if only because the movie won't likely hold students' attention.
Let's debate.
1776 finds its high definition independence with a fine "mastered in 4K" transfer presented at 1080p. Despite a sluggish start within the confines of a dark and soft opening shot, the movie tightens up considerably when the action shifts to better-lit locales, which comprise the bulk of the film. Light grain hovers but never interferes and lends a fine quality film-style appearance. Details are precise and come easy. The image is naturally sharp and refined, with pinpoint details on period clothes, faces, woods inside, and cobblestone outside all looking terrific. Colors are exacting, with the rather loud -- but never garish -- attire the standout. Natural greens are realistically colored with no evidence of paleness or, on the other end of the spectrum, unnatural showiness ("expanded color" is available to equipped viewers on the "director's cut" version of the film). Black levels wobble, but never too heavily, between approaching crush and pushing a very dark purple. Skin tones, however, appear accurate. Minor banding and very mild blocking artifacts are evident but never intrusive. This is a very strong presentation from Sony, one that Director Peter H. Hunt has called "gorgeous" and "miraculous" (cited from press materials).
1776 sings (and signs) onto Blu-ray with a good quality DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Music is generally rich and satisfying, playing with a good frontal balance and light, but helpful, surround support. Instrumental details impress, particularly the highs, and vocals enjoy rich depth, accuracy, and evenness. The track provides some quality supportive details along the way, particularly in various outdoor scenes that allow the track to expand a bit beyond the general emptiness and mild hollowness of the congressional floor. A ringing bell, light footfalls and rolling carriages on the cobblestone street, and other small details add some flavor to an otherwise cold soundtrack. The movie's base requirement, outside of the musical numbers, is dialogue. Despite a couple of minor occurrences where it comes across as mildly hollow, there's no cause for alarm. The spoken word enjoys nice front-center placement, consistent intelligibility, and minor reverberation when necessary. The track is by no means remarkable but it's in no way a misfire. It does what it must well, with no real flair but no real faults, either.
1776 contains two commentaries, alternate and deleted scenes, and screen tests. Inside the Blu-ray case, buyers will find a voucher for a
UV digital copy. The disc contains two cuts, one a director's cut (2:45:11 runtime) and the other an extend cut (2:47:55 runtime).
1776 could have been a superior movie, but audiences are left with a fairly bland retelling of an otherwise interestingly unique period in world history that the filmmakers have attempted to liven through song. Sadly, the mesh just isn't there, whether because the material doesn't really lend itself to music or, more likely, the music isn't at all memorable. The movie is at its best away from music and intently focused on the drama of the day, allowing the actors to shine and the history to flow. It's a passable movie, too long and in several ways flawed but, at the end of the day, mildly intriguing for history buffs and see-'em-all Musical fans. Sony's Blu-ray release of 1776 features very strong "mastered in 4K" video, solid lossless audio, and a decent array of bonuses. Rent it.
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