Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Fitzwilly Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 21, 2021

Delbert Mann's "Fitzwilly" (1967) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by filmmaker/historian Michael Schlesinger and film archivist Stan Taffel as well as vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Excluding a few tiny details, it is an entirely legit operation.

For approximately fifteen or so minutes, perhaps even a bit longer, it is not entirely clear where the film is heading. But it is not because it is difficult to grasp what Fitzwilly (Dick Van Dyke) and his crew are doing. Not at all. He is obviously a master thief leading a motley crew of very disciplined ‘assistants’ and together they have perfected the art of the steal. What isn’t immediately clear is why they are stealing. Because they need the money? Yes, money is definitely a big part of their motivation, but there is more.

So, what is it?

Well, immediately after the opening credits disappear Fitzwilly actually reveals why he and his crew steal from various high-end businesses – they have to support a very expensive lifestyle. But then we see that neither Fitzwilly nor his ‘assistants’ are living large. He is a butler and is being helped by other servants and workers that are committed to a cause, and this cause is supporting his employer, Miss Vicki (Edith Evans), a supposedly very wealthy and very generous elderly widow.

Is Fitzwilly being sincere?

This is where the confusion stems from, indeed. Fitzwilly and his crew do what they do because they are secretly ensuring that Miss Vicky can continue to live as she always has, surrounded by luxury and spending as much as she wants. Does this summation sound rational to you? Or could it be that it is actually a brilliant curve ball that will be revealed as such much later into the film?

The unexpected arrival of Miss Vicki’s new secretary, Juliet (Barbara Feldon), quickly and effectively clears the confusion. Much to Fitzwilly’s annoyance, she proves to be every bit as intelligent as he is, and while testing his loyalty definitively proves that he does indeed have a heart of gold. Fitzwilly even erases her suspicions that he might be a different type of chameleon after he melts her heart and eventually confesses that he has fallen in love with her.

Delbert Mann’s Fitzwilly works quite well as a romantic comedy -- and yes, as Michael Schlesinger and Stan Taffel point out in the new audio commentary they recorded for this release, it can be a perfect film to see come Christmas time as well -- but perhaps it should have been a terrific caper. Its story feels perfect for that kind of a genre film, and with just a few curve balls at the end its transformation would have been quite easy to complete.

But Mann emphasizes the comedy in the story and it is hard to blame him because the chemistry and energy between the stars works great for it. It allows his film to easily keep moving forward and at the same time infuses it with a lightness that makes the different situations where Fitzilly and his crew pull off various tricks very attractive. A straightforward caper with significantly toned-down comedy, or without any at all, would have had a completely different personality.

Mann worked with Oscar-winning cinematographer Joseph F. Biroc, whose understanding of composition and eye for detail are quite impressive. The chaos in the large department store where Fitzwilly and his crew stage their final job would have been perfect in any classic caper.

A young John Williams delivered the appropriately energetic soundtrack. However, in the prologue he is credited as Johnny Williams.

Fitzwilly Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Fitzwilly arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

While the master that was used to produce this release is completely free of problematic digital corrections, it shows signs of ageing that are impossible to ignore. The main limitations are in the area of color reproduction where saturation and balance can be quite a bit better. Wider panoramic shots should reveal better nuances as well, particularly where natural light is in abundance. Darker areas look decent, but shadow definition should be superior. Depth ranges from good to very good, so on a larger screen the visuals are still quite attractive. Image stability is good. A few small specks and blemishes can be spotted, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Fitzwilly Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

The audio is clear and stable. The upper register is healthy as well. Also, dynamic balance and intensity are very good. Can the audio be better if it it is fully remastered? Well, I think that when the current master was prepared the audio was properly transferred, so I am unsure if any significant improvements can be made. Some cosmetic upgrades can probably be introduced with modern digital tools, but I don't know if they will be easy to appreciate.

Fitzwilly Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this new audio commentary was recorded by filmmaker/historian Michael Schlesinger and film archivist Stan Taffel. I listened to the entire commentary and thought that it was very informative and quite entertaining. While I would have preferred Fitziwilly to be a different kind of film (a conventional caper), I do agree that it is a great to see come Christmas time. It does have the right energy and spirit, as the commentators point out. They share plenty of information about the people that made the film and the era from which it emerged.

• Trailer - a remastered vintage trailer for Fitzwilly. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

Fitzwilly Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I would have preferred to see a greater emphasis on the con jobs, but I do understand why the comedy and romance are what ultimately give Fitzwilly its identity. The great chemistry between its stars is undeniable, and it is of the kind that feels perfect for that kind of a romantic comedy. I had a good time with Fitzwilly, and I do agree with Michael Schlesinger and Stan Taffel that it can be a great film to see come Christmas time. RECOMMENDED.