Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Howards End Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 24, 2018

James Ivory's "Howards End" (1992) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Australian label Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include original trailers for the film; recent filmed interviews with James Ivory and Vanessa Redgrave; new audio commentary by critics Wade Major and Lael Lowenstein; vintage featurettes; additional archival interviews; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave, Blow-Up) realizes that she is seriously ill. She befriends the opinionated but still lighthearted Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson, In The Name of The Father), who often manages to cheer her up, and invites her to accompany her to Howards End, her adored country home. At first, Margaret kindly declines the invitation, but then changes her mind. Before the two friends board their train, however, Ruth’s husband, Henry (Anthony Hopkins, Silence of the Lambs), appears and urges them to reconsider their plans.

Henry is a businessman. His mind is always preoccupied with the market and those who control it. He loves Ruth dearly, but has little time to spend with her. Though Henry never makes it obvious, he finds his wife’s social friends rather obnoxious. Henry and Ruth have a daughter, Evie (Jemma Redgrave, Moonlight), and son, Paul (Joseph Bennett), who is about to marry Margaret‘s sister, Helen (Helena Bonham Carter, Fight Club).

Before Ruth dies, she writes down on a piece of paper that she leaves Howards End to Margaret. After his wife’s death, Henry shows her note to the family -- and then ignores it. Soon after, he asks Margaret if she would be willing to become his wife.

In the meantime, the Schlegels accidentally befriend the young Leonard Bast (Sam West, Carrington), a man who isn’t as financially secure as the Schlegels are, but is willing to work hard so that one day he could be as fortunate as they are. Helen likes Leonard a lot -- perhaps more than a decent lady should. She asks a lot of questions about his profession and family background.

During a casual meeting, Helen mentions Leonard to Henry and asks if he might have a good advise that would further her new friend’s career. Henry suggests that Leonard is told to look for a different position because his company is in a serious financial crisis -- not a publicized one, but known to people like him. Shortly after, Leonard visits the Schlegels again, and Helen relates Henry’s message to him. Trusting her advice, he quits his job to pursue a career elsewhere.

Margaret and Henry marry. During a massive restructuring, Leonard is sacked from his new job. As a result, Helen openly confronts Henry about his advice, which leads to a serious confrontation between him and Margaret. Seriously disturbed, Helen goes to Germany refusing to see her sister again. When she finally comes back home, Leonard appears asking to see her. Paul, who has grown incredibly frustrated with Leonard’s interference in his family’s affairs, confronts him.

Based on E.M. Forster’s novel and a script by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Howards End is arguably the best film to be produced by the Merchant Ivory team. It is beautifully lensed, incredibly well directed and terrifically acted.

Like most every other film director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant shot, Howards End tells a terrific period story about values and morals. At first, its characters seem indestructible, at times even arrogant; few could understand their world. But then, as they begin to ache and suffer, one begins to realize how incredibly weak and vulnerable they actually are.

What makes Howards End a truly fascinating experience -- aside from the intoxicatingly beautiful visuals from the British countryside as well as Richard Robbins’ sublime music score – is the continuous displacement of right and wrong. What seems justified in one scene is completely unreasonable in another. Perceptions about love and honesty as well as social justice and civic responsibility are questioned in a terrific fashion.

In 1993, Howards End won three Oscar awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Emma Thompson), Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala), and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Luciana Arrighi and Ian Whittaker).

Howards End Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.50:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, James Ivory's Howards End arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from the new 4K restored master. In the United States, the 4K restoration was introduced on Blu-ray by the Cohen Media Group. (You can see our review of this release here). Since there have been very contrasting takes on the presentation of the restoration, below I will split my analysis so that I can make my take on it as clear as possible.

The Restoration: I think that the end result is far better than what was available to Criterion, and other labels, to work with in 2009. Density in particular is vastly superior and on a bigger screen there are very substantial improvements in terms of delineation and fluidity. The restoration also reintroduces nuances that on the previous master were not as expanded as they should have been because of native limitations. (The quality of 4K remastering has evolved quite dramatically over the last ten years, and the previous master is even older). Also, the color grading is better balanced and superior, and as a result it helps enhance and/or expose different nuances as well. So as far as the product that came out of the restoration lab is concerned, the quality is unquestionably superior.

The Presentation: I picked up the Cohen Media Group release earlier this year and since I did not see the restoration theatrically my initial reaction was that it was encoded with improper gamma levels. I have not changed my opinion and continue to believe that something is off on it. Now after viewing this release, however, I am inclined to believe that the master that is offered for licensing has some issues as well. I could very well be wrong, but here's what I see: There are a number of sequences where the gamma levels elevate the overall brightness to a degree that actually affects nuances and introduces flatness (see screencapture #3 and 11). If I adjust them manually, the film instantly gains a new type of vibrancy and entire ranges of nuances become a lot more convincing. Obviously, the period stylization still produces a variety of unique contrasts as envisioned by the director of photography, but the film's dynamic range actually looks dramatically superior. So, while it is entirely possible that the current digital master was released as it is, and therefore it is offered for licensing as it is, the skeptic in me sees enough to conclude that when it was created its gamma levels were not managed properly.

What does all of this mean to you? The current situation is far from ideal, but I see more positives on this new 4K restoration than negatives, and with a few minor adjustments I think that it can deliver a much more satisfying viewing experience. Obviously, folks with external processors will be able to make the necessary adjustments a lot easier, but there are also plenty of players, including the PS3, that can do automatic gamma adjustments that would be very helpful. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the main menu).

Howards End Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit), and English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps). Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

I viewed the film with the 5.1 track and felt that all of its key characteristics were outstanding. Balance, in particular, was very good. There are absolutely no traces of age-related or remixing imperfections, but then there were no issues to report on Criterion's first Blu-ray release of the film either.

Howards End Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

NOTE: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray release are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players, including the PS3.

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Audio Commentary - this new audio commentary by critics Wade Major and Lael Lowenstein also appeared on Cohen Media's recent Blu-ray release of Howards End. There is an abundance of excellent information in it about James Ivory and Ismail Merchant's relationship and legacy, the production history of Howards End, its style and period atmosphere and how the different stars embraces their characters, the new 4K restoration, etc.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Original Theatrical Trailer - presented here is a vintage theatrical trailer for Howards End. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• Re-Release Trailer (2016) - presented here is the promotional trailer that was cut for the recent 4K restoration of Howards End. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• Conversation between James Ivory and Laurence Kardish (2016) - in this filmed conversation, director James Ivory and Laurence Kardish, former senior curator of film at MOMA, discuss some of the obvious differences between the novel and the film, the evolution of the characterizations as the film progresses, some of the period mannerisms, some of the casting choices, the shooting locations that were chosen during the pre-prodcution process, E.M. Forster's novel and his image, etc. In English, not subtitled. (27 min, 1080p).

• Interview with James Ivory and Vanessa Redgrave (2016) - in this video video interview, director James Ivory and Vanessa Redgrave share their memories of working together on Howards End. The interview was conducted by Genie Godula at the Cannes Film Festival where the new 4K restoration of the film was introduced. In English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080p).

• On-stage Q&A with James Ivory and Critic Michael Koresky (2016) - in this filmed Q&A session, director James Ivory goes down memory and answers numerous questions about the production history of Howard End as well as its success. The session was held at Film Society of Lincoln Center's Beale Theatre in New York City. In English, not subtitled. (28 min, 1080p).

• Behind the Scenes Featuruette (1992) - a very short featurette highlighting some of the key themes from Howards End. Director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins quickly comment on the film as well. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080p).

• Building Howards End - a very informative documentary on the production history of the film featuring clips from archival interviews with director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant, actress Helena Bonham Carter, costume designer Jenny Beavan, and production designer Luciana Arrighi. This is also an incredibly hilarious documentary (pay close attention to Merchant's comments about American financiers, Sony Pictures Classics, etc). In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080p).

• The Design of Howards End - in this feaurette, production designer Luciana Arrighi and costume designer Jenny Beaven discuss their contribution to Howards End. In English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080p).

• James Ivory Remembers Ismail Mrchant (2009) - in this archival featurette, director James Ivory recalls how he first met Ismail Merchant and their creative partnership began. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).

Howards End Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I can't think of a single reason why Australian fans of James Ivory's film Howards End should not retire their old Blu-ray releases and upgrade with this new two-disc set from local label Via Vision Entertainment. While I believe that the technical presentation of the recent 4K restoration of the film could have been managed a bit better, the improvements that it offers are pretty substantial, and on top of this the set features a terrific mix of new and vintage bonus features. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.