7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.6 |
In an Italian seaside town, young Titta gets into trouble with his friends and watches various local eccentrics as they engage in often absurd behavior. Frequently clashing with his stern father and defended by his doting mother, Titta witnesses the actions of a wide range of characters, from his extended family to Fascist loyalists to sensual women, with certain moments shifting into fantastical scenarios.
Starring: Magali Noël, Bruno Zanin, Pupella Maggio, Ciccio Ingrassia, Armando BranciaDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 96% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Italian: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital Mono (192 kbps)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Federico Fellini's Amarcord (1973) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include: audio commentary with film studies professors Peter Brunette and Frank Burke; interview with actress actress Magali Noel; audio interview with Federico Fellini; deleted scene; collection of sketches; original theatrical trailer; and more. The disc also arrives with a 64-page illustrated booklet containing Sam Rohdie's essay "Federico of the Spirits", as well as "My Rimini", a collection of reminiscences by Federico Fellini. In Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
In front of Il Duce
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Federico Fellini's Amarcord arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:
"This high-definition transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35mm interpositive. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually removed using MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system, while Digital Vision's DVNR system was used for small dirt, grain, and noise reduction.
Telecine supervisor: Maria Palazzola.
Telecine colorist: Kathy Thomson/Modern Videofilm, Los Angeles.
Additional color correction: Steve Calalang/Technicolor, New York."
This Blu-ray release of Amarcord represents a substantial upgrade in quality over the SDVD rerelease of the film, which Criterion produced in 2006. Though it appears that the same master was used, this high-definition transfer conveys stronger contrast levels, clarity, and grain structure. Color stability is also improved. While on the SDVD release the reds and blues often times pulsate, here they are richer and stronger. This being said, occasionally random light noise is still easy to see, especially during the daylight scenes. Mild edge-enhancement pops up here and there as well. There are also traces of various noise corrections. The integrity of the film, however, is untouched - the corrections have partially restored what time has damaged, not added to it. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Italian LPCM 1.0 and English Dolby Digital 1.0. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The following text appear inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:
"The monaural soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from a 35mm magnetic soundtrack. Clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuated using AudioCube's integrated audio workstation."
The Italian LPCM 1.0 track is pleasing. It has a decent range of dynamics and overall strong organic qualities. The dialog is clean, stable, and easy to follow. There are no balance issues with legendary composer Nino Rota's music score either. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or audio dropouts to report in this review.
Federico Fellini's Amarcord is an essential film that belongs in every serious film collection. It is that simple. Criterion's Blu-ray release is very good - the film looks the best it ever has and the supplemental features are very informative. I strongly encourage you to listen to the wonderful audio commentary by professors Peter Brunette and Frank Burke. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Lo sceicco bianco
1952
1953
Fellini's Intervista
1987
Giulietta degli spiriti
1965
E la nave va
1983
Le notti di Cabiria
1957
The Swindle
1955
Fellini's Roma
1972
Luci del varietà
1950
1960
1954
Otto e mezzo / Federico Fellini's 8½
1963
1969
Fanny och Alexander
1982
Il Conformista | 4K Restoration
1970
Il deserto rosso
1964
1960
Vivre sa vie: Film en douze tableaux / My Life to Live
1962
Les quatre cents coups
1959
Smultronstället
1957