Carnal Knowledge 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Carnal Knowledge 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 10, 2025

Mike Nichols' "Carnal Knowledge" (1971) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by writer and critic Justin Bozung; new program with Richard Ayoade; archival program with Mike Nichols; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

If you take the time to discard all of the meaningless chatter between Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel, which is a lot but not overwhelming, you will be left with a list of descriptions that the two sexes believe are universal truths. The descriptions can be placed into three categories: attitudes, preferences, and behavior. They are always about the opposite sex, and virtually all of them are presented as vulgar revelations. Here are a few of them:

All men see women as sex objects. Women like to be pursued by men. All men cheat. All women are willing to cheat if the right opportunity comes along. Men and women are fully aware that their biological clocks are ticking and act accordingly. All relationships between men and women are imperfect arrangements that cause suffering. Men do not understand what women want. Women do not understand what men want.

The descriptions are not presented during a short and fierce debate. They are spread out throughout the entire film and are part of a constantly evolving friendship between Nicholson and Garfunkel. While the two are in college, Nicholson emerges as a cynical philosopher who understands exactly what happens in a woman’s head. Garfunkel is the polished gentleman who needs encouragement to approach a girl. When Nicholson effectively directs Garfunkel into Candice Bergen’s arms, Bergen concludes that Nicholson is the more exciting option, proving Nicholson’s theory that good girls always prefer bad guys. In the real world, an older and wiser Nicholson meets Ann-Margret, and after reading her mind correctly, makes her fall in love with him. However, Nicholson also correctly predicts her intention to marry him and become a mother, and when he outmaneuvers her, their relationship begins to crumble. Meanwhile, Garfunkel begins a relationship with Cynthia O’Neal, who, at the right time, also proves Nicholson’s theory that all women are willing to cheat.

Mike Nichols directed Carnal Knowledge several years after The Graduate, his best film, and it is easy to speculate that the former was supposed to emulate a lot of what made the latter special. Like, for instance, the illuminating frankness and great humor, as well as the easily relatable, unforgettable characters of The Graduate. Unfortunately, Carnal Knowledge is, at best, an amusingly vulgar misfire whose greatest strength is its courage to expose, accidentally, the two sexes as equally manipulative. Why accidentally? Because neither the male nor the female characters are authentic. They are performers in that all too familiar pseudointellectual circus that many ‘modern’ films promoted during the 1970s and certain mainstream critics defended as creations of talented but underappreciated auteurs.

The acting is a mixed bag, too. In a few sequences, Nicholson looks fine, but elsewhere, especially when he begins unloading on Ann-Margret, his emotional swings are terrible. Garfunkel looks odd practically everywhere. Only during his final exchange with Nicholson do his statements sound genuine. Bergen never convinces that her supposedly intelligent character has a rational reason to be in any sort of relationship with Nicholson. Ann-Margret is the only one who makes her disillusioned character appear authentic.

Carnal Knowledge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Indicator/Powerhouse Films' 4K Blu-ray release of Carnal Knowledge does not have a Blu-ray copy of the film. If you need one, you should consider acquiring this Blu-ray release.

Please note that all screencaptures included with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray disc and downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc.

The release introduces the same 4K restoration of the film that Criterion released in America on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. On this 4K Blu-ray release, the 4K restoration can be viewed with Dolby Vision and HDR grades. I chose to view it with Dolby Vision.

The overall quality of the 4K restoration is quite good. Technical credits included with the Criterion combo pack clarify that the original camera negative could not be used because of significant age-related deterioration, but I did not see any areas with noticeable drops in quality. However, with Dolby Vision enabled, on this release, some darker areas also looked a tad too dark on my system. While I do not have a Blu-ray copy to compare them in 1080p, I like how these areas looked in 1080p on the Criterion Blu-ray better. There are no traces of problematic degraining corrections. Colors are stable. However, I compared this 4K presentation and Criterion's 4K presentation and was quite surprised to discover that color reproduction is not identical between them. I do not know why. On this release, certain areas have greenish and yellowish hues toned down, adding slightly more pink in facials. However, the reversed scenario can be observed in other areas, where the Criterion release has them slightly better balanced. I expected both presentations to be identical. The overall color temperature remains the same, so I do not think that any of these discrepancies make one of the two presentations preferable. The discrepancies in darker areas, some of which looked too dark and flat with Dolby Vision enabled, were more impactful on my system. Image stability is excellent.

Carnal Knowledge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

Because the film does not have an elaborate music score, dynamic contrasts are quite small and insignificant. However, there are several intimate sequences with organic sounds and noises that produce interesting dynamic nuances. The narration and all exchanges are very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. I did not encounter any age-related anomalies to report.

Carnal Knowledge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, writer and critic Justin Bozung states that Carnal Knowledge was Mike Nichols' variation on Jules and Jim (which it was not) and then deconstructs it.

• Mike Nichols and Jason Reitman - in this archival program, Mike Nichols discusses Carnal Knowledge with Jason Reitman after a screening hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The program was produced in 2011. In English, not subtitled. (36 min).

• Richard Ayoade: Cruel Masters - in this new program, Richard Ayoade dicusses Carnal Knowledge. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Jules Feiffer on Midlife Crisis - this conversation was recorded for The Studs Terkel Program and broadcast in 1979. In it, Jules Feiffer discusses male behavior in his work and specifically his most recent cartoon novel Tantrum. In English, not subtitled. (53 min).

• Jules Feiffer on Relationships - this conversation was recorded for The Studs Terkel Program and broadcast in 1990. In it, Feiffer discusses the importance of getting comic art commercially and artistically acceptable, and sexual stereotypes. In English, not subtitled. (47 min).

• Trailer One - presented here is a theatrical trailer for Carnal Knowledge. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer Two - presented here is a teaser trailer for Carnal Knowledge. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Radio Spots - presented here are a couple of radio spots for Carnal Knowledge. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for Carnal Knowledge.

• UK Press Pack Gallery - an original UK press pack for Carnal Knowledge, which was presented during its premiere at the Odeon Marble Arch on September 3, 1971.

• Munro (1961) - presented here is Gene Deitch's animated short film Munro, based on a story by Jules Feiffer. Remastered. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (9 min).

• Booklet - a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Brad Stevens, an archival interview with director Mike Nichols, writer Jules Feiffer and actor Jack Nicholson, a contemporary location report originally published in American Cinematographer, an account of the controversies surround the film's original release, a reprint of a 1972 Sight and Sound article on the film and its place within Nichols' oeuvre, and techncial credits.

Carnal Knowledge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Both sexes agree that they are defined by various imperfections. They just cannot agree on who should claim the larger share of them. Mike Nichols' Carnal Knowledge attempts to settle the debate while following two college friends whose raging hormones force them into relationships that gradually reveal various unpopular 'truths'. Unfortunately, neither the relationships nor the 'truths' are part of the exciting and provocative film that Carnal Knowledge was undoubtedly meant to be. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' 4K Blu-ray release introduces an imperfect but satisfying new 4K restoration of it. A separate Blu-ray release is available for purchase as well.