A Place in the Sun Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

A Place in the Sun Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released Director George Stevens' 1951 film 'A Place in the Sun' to Blu-ray as part of its prestigious 'Paramount Presents' collection. This Blu-ray sports a newly remastered transfer and a 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The film was previously released in Australia under the Imprint label. This disc carries over the core extras from that disc while also adding a new retrospective with Leonard Maltin. I cannot make definitive comparisons between the two releases; this is simply a new review of the Paramount disc.

A Place in the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount brings A Place in the Sun to Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer, the product of a remaster "from a 4K film transfer in celebration of its 70th anniversary." This is a very well rounded image that appears to hold to similar patterns from the above-referenced Australian Imprint release. In that review, Jeffrey Kauffman cites the Imprint disc being "a 4K restoration by Paramount Pictures." Indeed, this 2021 U.S. release and the 2020 Australian release may very well be one and the same. Certainly many of Jeffrey's observations hold for this release, including the "minor crush" and some fluctuating detail. The black crush on this presentation does indeed render shadow details difficult to view, though it must be noted that the film was often shot very dark and absorbingly so for dramatic and aesthetic purposes; as Jeffrey noted some lakeside shots can be problematic, and the issue is in evidence around the 67-minute mark where crushed shadows play in stark contrast to the bright surrounding sun drenched elements (also see around the 75-minute mark at night). Likewise, black suit jackets and other dark elements tend to get absorbed into surrounding shadow and low light corners. However, the grayscale is otherwise in fine shape. It's well balanced and elements are differentiated with precision throughout the range. Details are pleasing with only small drop offs in quality. Most close-ups are expressively detailed and razor sharp, offering complex hairs and pores and fabric materials with exceptional clarity and rigorous attention to detail. The print is largely free of either source flaws or encode artifacts. Fans are going to be very happy to see A Place in the Sun so finely presented on Blu-ray.

A Place in the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Paramount brings A Place in the Sun to Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, which may again be very similar, if not identical, to the Australian Imprint release. This track is decidedly front-center dominant, a quality Jeffrey noted in his review. The presentation is also lacking authoritative clarity, evident from the beginning. The opening title sequence lacks both pure detail and wide spacing; the musical elements are clustered to the center and lack the sort of spread, the kind of front-end width, one would expect to find in a more modernly constructed soundtrack and within the 5.1 configuration. The original audio recordings are not of the highest fidelity, whether considering music, dialogue, or support effects. The track is well capable of delivering basics within its natural confines. The presentation is more than adequate but rarely offers much beyond its basics. Audiences expecting a multichannel push based on the encode will be disappointed, but anyone seeking a basic front-heavy workflow will find this a satisfying listen.

A Place in the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Paramount releases A Place in the Sun to Blu-ray as the 22nd entry in the prestigious "Paramount Presents" line, which includes the slipcover with fold-open poster artwork. A digital copy code is included with purchase. The Blu-ray is home to several extras, including an audio commentary track and three featurettes, including a new featurette with Critic Leonard Maltin. The legacy extras were included on the Imprint release and reviews can be found here.

• Audio Commentary: George Stevens and Ivan Moffat.
• NEW! Filmmaker Focus: Leonard Maltin on A Place in the Sun (1080p, 7:35): Maltin explores George Stevens' direction, the film's pace, technical details, the noir stylings, characters and their roles in the film, the Clift-Taylor chemistry, the film's legacy, and more.
• George Stevens and His Place in the Sun (480i, 22:22).
• George Stevens: The Filmmakers Who Knew Him (480i, 45:28 total runtime): Included are interviews with Warren Beatty, Frank Capra, Rouben Mamoulian, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Alan J. Pakula, Antonio Vellani, Robert Wise, and Fred Zinnemann.
• Theatrical Trailers: Included are trailers for A Place in the Sun (480i, 2:39), Shane (1080p, 2:03), and Sunset Boulevard (1080p, 3:15).

A Place in the Sun Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A Place in the Sun remains compelling cinema and a giant within the medium. Paramount has done the movie proud with a new Blu-ray that presents the film, visually and aurally, at a high level of excellence. The supplemental package is likewise very good. Highly recommended.