Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Hair Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 12, 2020

Milos Forman's "Hair" (1979) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailer for the film; new program featuring interviews with cast members; new audio commentary by assistant director Michael Hausman and Treat Williams; new program with director James Mangold; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The visitors

In the United States, Hair was first released on Blu-ray my MGM in 2011. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Michael Ruben's review of this release Hair.

Hair Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Hair arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.

The original press materials for this release indicated that it will be sourced from a 'new restoration'. I don't know what type of work was done during the 'restoration' because after performing various direct comparisons with MGM's first release of the film, I just could not see any meaningful discrepancies/improvements to report in our review. This isn't bad news. I simply wish to make it clear that while playing the two releases, I could not see the benefits of the 'new restoration'. In fact, I could quite easily spot many of the tiny white specks from the old presentation popping up on the new presentation as well as the same sporadic clipped highlights.

The entire film has a very solid organic appearance, which is to be expected because even older MGM masters are typically quite strong. Clarity in particular is very pleasing, but you need to keep in mind that the original cinematography introduces various stylistic fluctuations that alter it tandem with delineation and depth. The most obvious fluctuations can be seen during the dream sequence (see screencaptures #8 and 14). Also, sharpness is good, but this is one particular area where a proper new 4K master should deliver some minor yet meaningful improvements. Grain exposure is fine, but grain could look even healthier, and if it does it will produce additional improvements in terms of definition. (Fine nuances in darker areas will benefit the most). The color grading is very convincing, but some supporting nuances and highlights could be balanced even better. Image stability is excellent. So, here's the final verdict on the technical presentation: the film has a strong organic appearance and looks very nice in high-definition. However, it could look cleaner -- without the tiny white specks -- sharper and better balanced. What would the difference be like? Despite having different stylistic qualities, in an ideal world Hair should look every bit as impressive as Midnight Cowboy. My score is 4.25/5.00. (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).

Hair Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The 5.1 track sounded great on my system. Clarity, sharpness, and stability were excellent. I thought that dynamic balance was very good as well, though the age of the audio mix definitely shows. Some additional audio options probably could have been offered as well, like a Stereo track, but I don't see anything wrong with the current track. It serves the film really, really well.

Hair Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Hair. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• The Tribe Remembers - in this new program, actors Beverly D'Angelo, Don Dacus, Ellen Foley, Annie Golden, John Savage, and Dorsey Wright recall how they became involved with Hair, what it was like to work under the direction of Milos Forman, and era in which the film emerged, and how it impacted their acting ambitions and careers. (Some of Mr. Savage's comments are very emotional). The program was created exclusively for Olive Films. In English, not subtitled. (30 min, 1080p).

• "Making Chance Work: Choreographing Hair" - in this new program, choreographer Twyla Tharp remembers her collaboration with Milos Forman on Hair and explains how the entire project was put together. The program was created exclusively for Olive Films. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).

• Cutting Hair - in this new program, editors Lynzee Klingman and Stanley Warnow remember how they were given the opportunity to work on Hair and discuss the type of work they did to meet Milos Forman's requirements for the film. (There are some very interesting comments about the lack of special effects in the film, Mr. Forman's reluctance to do reshoots, and Miroslav Ondrícek's work behind the camera). The program was created exclusively for Olive Films. In English, not subtitled. (21 min, 1080p).

• Hair Style - in this new program, production designer Stuart Wurtzel recalls his initial encounter with Milos Forman and their professional relationship during the production of Hair. Mr. Wurtzel also has some very interesting comments about the late director's view of America, which was very positive. The program was created exclusively for Olive Films. In English, not subtitled. (16 min, 1080p).

• Artist, Teacher, Mentor: Remembering Milos Forman - in this new program, James Mangold (Cop Land, 3:10 to Yuma) discusses the enormous impact Milos Forman had on his maturation as a filmmaker. (Mr. Mangold has some very interesting comments about the late director's teaching methods and confesses that he had the greatest writing classes). The program was created exclusively for Olive Films. In English, not subtitled. (25 min, 1080p).

• Essay - presented here is a text-format essay by critic Sheila O'Malley.

• Commentary - this new audio commentary was recorded by assistant director Michael Hausman and Treat Williams. The commentary is essentially one huge trip down memory lane, filled with many recollections about the shooting of various segments, the people that made the film and where they are now (at least the ones that are still alive), Milos Forman's working methods, the use of music throughout the film, etc.

• Booklet - presented here is a text-format essay by critic Sheila O'Malley.

Hair Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The quality of the exclusive bonus content that was created for this release of Milos Forman's Hair is on par with what you will get from Criterion's best releases. I was impressed. The technical presentation of the film is also very nice, though with a proper contemporary makeover the end result could have been more convincing. I personally have mixed feelings about Hair because I don't think that its musical numbers work particularly well, which is certainly not a popular opinion, but it is an undisputed fact that it is an important film which ought to be seen at least once. RECOMMENDED to the fans.