6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Barbarella, a 41st century earthling, is sent on a mission by the president of Earth to find Durand Durand, a scientist who has disappeared with an all-powerful weapon.
Starring: Jane Fonda, David Hemmings, John Phillip Law, Anita Pallenberg, Milo O'SheaErotic | 100% |
Comic book | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM Mono
French: LPCM Mono
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Barbarella is one of those films that lots of people know about, but where a surprisingly small number seem to have actually watched it, at least all the way through. As a supplement included with this release mentions, the film may be more of a "vibe" than offering an actual storyline, and as such it's appropriately late sixties in that it offers an unabashed psychedelic sensibility that, like many hallucinations (or so I've been told), doesn't make a lot of sense, even if it's often mind blowing to simply see. In its original version (it was later redacted for those pesky Puritan attitudes in the United States), Barbarella famously begins with a zero gravity striptease by its titular character (played by Jane Fonda, of course), and that sets the stage, so to speak, for a freewheeling enterprise that features gonzo goings on with as it turns out a rather unexpectedly relatively chaste presentation, despite some libidinous subtext. Pop culture zeitgeist monitors will already be aware that iconic band Duran Duran kinda sorta lifted their name from a supporting character called Durand Durand (Milo O'Shea), though not everyone may know that the band's name was sparked by John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Stephen Duffy catching a UK broadcast of the film, which at least argues that they watched it (even if it's unclear whether they made it to the end or not).
Barbarella is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:
Barbarella is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with restored original mono English and French audio and new English 5.1 and Atmos presentations. The isolated music score is also included.This is a very winning presentation of a film that has some "baked in" hurdles courtesy of old school composited effects and other opticals like dissolves. The palette is typically very robust, and some moments, like the "attack of the killer dolls", offer really well saturated blues and reds in particular. There are some minor variances in densities and overall saturation throughout, and understandably grain can also fluctuate, especially during opticals, but this has a very commendable organic appearance and some very appealing fine detail levels despite Vadim's penchant for midrange framings.
The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K 16 bit at Fotokem, Burbank. Sections of an original 35mm interpositive were also scanned in 4K 16 bit to replace sections in poor condition on the original negative. The film was restored and graded in 4K SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision by Silver Salt Restoration, London.
The restoring of the original mono English and French audio tracks was completed at Bad Princess Productions, London.
The Atmos and 5.1 mixes were created using the original mono DM tracks at Deluxe Audio London.
Barbarella has a host of audio options, as outlined above in the verbiage reprinted from the insert booklet. As I tend to do, I toggled between the three English language tracks and found all three enjoyable on their own merits, even if the 5.1 and Atmos offerings feature a more robust overall mix, especially with regard to midrange and low end score and effects. The Atmos track is really not overly showly in terms of providing a wealth of verticality, but it offers secure immersion and some arguable extra "oomph" in some effects sequences. The mono track is really rather nice sounding on its own, even if it can't match the force of the surround offerings. Dialogue, effects and score are all presented without any issues. Optional English subtitles are available.
Disc One
- Trailer (HD; 3:21)
- US TV Spot (HD; 00:55)
- US Radio Spots (HD; 2:55) play to key art.
Another 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, famously advertised itself as "the ultimate trip", but Barbarella may be a suitable runner up. The "plot" is largely nonsensical but the production design is absolutely gobsmacking. Technical merits are solid, and as usual Arrow has assembled a really impressive array of supplements, along with very handsome packaging and non disc swag. Recommended.
1968
1968
1968
1968
Limited Edition
1968
Limited Edition
1968
Standard Edition
1968
4K Restoration | Standard Edition
1968
1980
1974
Retro VHS Collection
1984
Christina y la reconversión sexual
1984
1994
2008
1989
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: Awakening
1979
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1985
I Come in Peace
1990
Warner Archive Collection
1984
1983
Uchu kara no messeji
1978
1994
Limited Edition - 2,000 copies
1983
1987
Extended Version
1967
1991
1987
1993