Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

A Thousand Clowns Blu-ray Movie Review

A Thousand Clowns is a classic comedy-drama with a unique comedic sensibility. Produced by Fred Coe with associate producers Herb Gardner and Ralph Rosenblum, A Thousand Clowns is a wonderful and witty update to the Broadway hit. Jason Robards was cast in the film to portray and recreate the memorable performance he created on Broadway with the same character. Nominated for four 1965 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Score. A Thousand Clowns stars Jason Robards, Barry Gordon, Barbara Harris, and William Daniels (with supporting performances by Martin Balsam and Gene Saks).

Murray (Jason Robards) just wants to have fun. The goofball schlub wants nothing to do with the expectations of society and the day-to-day ho-drum of an old-fashioned workplace to visit on a daily basis. Determined to live a more free-spirited and free-wheeling lifestyle, Murray won’t commit to a steady job. As a result, Murray also doesn’t have a decent paycheck from employment.

Yet the gleeful disregard for playing by the workplace rules becomes complicated for Murray when his beloved 12-year-old nephew Nick (Barry Gordon) faces the possibility of being sent away to a foster home. The obstacle in front of him is obvious: Murray might lose his nephew because of his lack of steady employment.

When social workers Sandra (Barbara Harris) and Albert (William Daniels) intervene in the life of free-wheeling shlub Murray and his (carefree) ambitions to do-nothing (most of the time), Murray is challenged with some big questions about his role as a figure in the life of his 12-year-old nephew. Can Murray learn to grow up – to find a balance between freedom and success?

Jason Robards is fantastic. The best thing about A Thousand Clowns is his performance and the sense of dedication given to the role. Despite playing a character that is largely a deadbeat goof, Robards has a knack for providing some charm and sympathy to a character that could easily be less sympathetic. A fantastic turn by the actor and one that showcases a nice acting range – the emotional gravitas is on display well without forgoing the comedic element.

Barry Gordon is impressive as Murray’s 12-year-old nephew. Gordon delivers a far more mature and complex performance than some might expect given his age but the role was clearly one that the actor understood and injected with a sense of dedication (making the character stand out well alongside the more seasoned professionalism of Robards). A good showcase for the young actor.

Edited by Ralph Rosenblum (Annie Hall, Sleeper), A Thousand Clowns is well-paced and there is a good sense of rhythm to the production. Rosenblum is a talented editor with a knack for helping to bring to life quiet and dramatic stories. The editor did a solid job with the material. The film has a wonderful sense of style that is capably showcased through the editing.

The costumes by Ruth Morley (Tootsie, Ghost) add to the production, too. The costuming certainly helps the filmmaking find a good sense of showmanship. Morley understands the character of Murray and in designing the costuming, the results feel authentic and true-to-character. A good effort by the costume designer.

The score composed by Don Walker is one of the most surprising and charming elements of the film. The music is playful and the score works will within the confines of the storytelling. Walker deserves proper accolades for their efforts.

The cinematography by Arthur J. Ornitz (Death Wish, Serpico) imbues a sense of old-fashioned charm to the tale. The cinematography provides the perfect balance between a play-like atmosphere and some grittier elements (especially with street photography) that are more documentarian-like in approach. Excellent work by Ornitz.

The screenplay by Herb Gardner (The Goodbye People, I’m Not Rappaport) is essential to the filmmaking. A Thousand Clowns is the type of film that wouldn’t even exist without a quality screenplay. The story is entirely character- focused and the play like atmosphere of the filmmaking retains the style the screenwriter surely conveyed during the original Broadway production (which Gardner also wrote). The script is a testament to witty dialogue – these elements carry the entire film.

Fred Coe (All the Way Home, Me, Natalie) does a beautiful job in the director’s chair. A Thousand Clowns is a fun and charming film (when it isn’t being serious and introspective). Coe manages to convey many different shades to the central protagonist – good and bad. The filmmaker has a keen understanding of performance and the entire cast is excellent as a result. A Thousand Clowns is well worth seeing by audiences looking for an interesting rendition of a respected play.

A Thousand Clowns Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, A Thousand Clowns is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 widescreen. The release is sourced from an excellent looking 2K scan of the feature-film. The 2K master is excellent and provides the black and white cinematography with a sense of wonderful depth and clarity. The presentation is sharp and pleasing. This is a clean looking transfer – one free from any significant issues with print damage.

A Thousand Clowns Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. The lossless audio quality is acceptable but it doesn't fare quite as well as the 2K remaster video presentation. The audio sounded a bit thin on the release. Nonetheless, the audio quality is decent enough (even if it lacked as good of a restoration in this regard).

A Thousand Clowns Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Diary of a Middle-Aged Kid: Interview with Co-Star Barry Gordon (HD, 15:22)

A Thousand Clowns – Trailer (SD, 3:02)

Cabo Blanco – Trailer (HD, 2:49)

A Thousand Clowns Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A Thousand Clowns is a compelling comedy-drama featuring a wonderful performance by Jason Robards. Robards recreates the role he first starred in on Broadway. With a screenplay by Herb Gardner (adapting his own original play), A Thousand Clowns is a great showcase for how the world of theatrical plays can translate well to cinema – despite the differences in the languages of these mediums there is far more in common.

The Blu-ray release features an impressive 2K master and a solid enough audio presentation (even if the audio is not as pristine as the video presentation on the release). The release also includes a handful of extras. A Thousand Clowns is well worth picking up. Recommended.