Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.5 |
| Video |  | 4.0 |
| Audio | | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall |  | 3.0 |
A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 25, 2017
Ernest Hemingway’s novel, “A Farewell to Arms,” is a tough nut to crack. It carries tremendous solemnity and personal experience, giving it an open
wound atmosphere that makes it an intimate read with a gut-punch ending. Producer David O. Selznick attempts to turn Hemingway’s horror into a
new version of “Gone with the Wind,” inflating love and war to a point where the original meaning of the book is lost. Melodramatic and in need of
another editorial pass, 1957’s “A Farewell to Arms” certainly provides beguiling bigness, but the enormity of the production manages to smother literary
intent.
Stars Rock Hudson, Jennifer Jones, and Vittoiro De Sica do their best for director Charles Vidor, filling their roles with professional dedication, but
miscastings nag the picture, finding Jones and Hudson conjuring little chemistry as the secret lovers in the midst of World War I. Performances are
almost secondary to Selznick, who orders up towering visuals to sell this CinemaScope event, which makes terrific use of mountainous locations and
hundreds of extras, working hard to give material that exists in tight mental spaces a proper widescreen immersion factor. “A Farewell to Arms” looks
great, but it doesn’t feel right, laboring through spectacle before it returns to tepid interplay.
A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Listed as a "Brand new 4K restoration," the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation supports the gigantic scope of "A Farwell to Arms" with
appealing detail. Glamour cinematography and period equipment contribute a degree of softness, but textures remain open for observation throughout,
best when taking in the enormity of war scenes, preserving deep backgrounds and sweeping vistas. Facial particulars are also secured. Colors are capable,
respectfully refreshed, accentuating military hues and blue waters, and skintones are appealing. Delineation is adequate, tested in full during evening
encounters. Grain is fine and filmic. Banding emerges periodically. Source is in decent shape, without defined damage.
A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles satisfactorily but never remarkably. A mild degree of hiss is detected throughout the listening event, and a brief
audio dropout occurs during the main titles. Dialogue exchanges are more secure, handling melodramatic performances and plenty of hushes hospital
banter. Accents are easy to follow. Scoring is supportive, and while it doesn't' feature the sharpest instrumentation, music sets the mood accordingly.
Sound effects are loud. Group activity is preserved.
A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- A Theatrical Trailer (2:37, SD) is included.
A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
The production attempts to keep up with Hemingway's plotting, but it tonally misses the mark, playing up romance instead of psychological issues, easing
into comfort food cinema territory. It's a mute-button movie, especially for those who enjoy massive productions, but as an extension of Hemingway, "A
Farewell to Arms" comes up frustratingly short.
