The Boys in the Band 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Boys in the Band 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

By the time 1970’s “The Boys in the Band” arrived, William Friedkin was already a working filmmaker. Hired to oversee an adaptation of Mart Crowley’s 1968 play, Friedkin accepted a unique challenge to peel the theatricality out of the writing, giving it a cinematic presence, laboring hard to turn the material into a fiery picture about a party involving a collection of gay men that gradually dissolves into an emotional mess. Crowley’s landmark work offered a humane but acidic understanding of men fighting through troubling issues and relationship woes, delivering a dimensional appreciation of hidden insecurities during a time reserved for a celebration. Friedkin respects the assignment, collaborating with Crowley (who handles scripting duties) to preserve the complexity of fears in the endeavor while also delivering a more visual experience. “The Boys in the Band” has its place in media history, but the feature is sure to deliver more than a just respectful take on the play, adding the intensity of closeness to the experience as the helmer plays careful attention to faces while detailing a nightmare evening of exposure for most of the characters.

The Boys in the Band 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"The Boys in the Band" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2015, offering a color grade reflecting director William Friedkin's interest at the time to alter the look of his movies. Most viewers remember the pastel hues from the original "French Connection" Blu-ray, but Friedkin gave "Boys in the Band" the same treatment. Cinematographe returns to the title with a UHD release, listed as "a new 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision," "from the original 35mm camera negative." The feature has been returned to its original look (or at least closer to it), with the image presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) providing more natural hues overall. Primaries are defined, with sharp reds and blues, and hair color is distinct. Party atmosphere delivers lively hues, along with costuming. Skin tones are mostly natural, with a few areas of hotness. Detail handles well, exploring the textured, sweaty faces of the actors. Apartment experiences maintain dimension, and decorative additions are open for inspection. A few exterior shots in the opening of the carry appealing depth. Blacks are deep throughout the viewing event. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition, with some mild scratches and at least one blip of frame damage.

The Boys in the Band 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Listed as the "original mono theatrical soundtrack," the 1.0 DTS-HD MA track provides a fresher understanding of "The Boys in the Band" than the Kino Lorber release. Dialogue exchanges stay crisp and consistent, with an appealing balance of emotional moods and louder outbursts. Musical offerings maintain defined instrumentation and dramatic support. Atmospherics are appreciable.

The Boys in the Band 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains essays by Alonso Duralde, Caden Mark Gardner, Nat Segaloff, and Kyle Turner.

• Commentary #1 features director William Friedkin.

• Commentary #2 features writer Farrah Freibert.

• "Your Place in the World" (24:29, HD) is an interview with actor Laurence Luckinbill, who shares some memories from his early years, setting out to become an actor in New York City, receiving a chance to appear in "The Boys in the Band" due to an early connection with playwright Mart Crowley. The interviewee recalls early pushback concerning his participation in the play, remaining determined to see his commitment through. Luckinbill recalls the experience of putting on the show, receiving limited time to prepare, but the play was a hit, building an audience quickly. The film version of "The Boys in the Band" soon arrived, with producers retaining the services of the original actors, giving Luckinbill a chance to make a movie. Thoughts on director William Friedkin are shared, identifying his skill with staging. He also details the aftermath of the project, remaining the only living member of the original production.

• "Something Important to Say" (36:31, HD) is an appreciation piece from film historian Mark Harris.

• "Take It or Leave It" (14:54, HD) is an appreciation piece from journalist Michael Musto.

• "Who Is She? Who Was She? Who Does She Hope to Be?" (18:25, HD) is a video essay by Daniel Kremer.

• "Act One: The Play" (14:01, HD) is a 2008 making-of for "The Boys in the Band," featuring interviews with playwright and screenwriter Mart Crowley, and actors Laurence Luckinbill and Peter White, writer Tony Kushner, and executive producer Dominick Dunne.

• "Act Two: The Film" (24:49, HD) is a 2008 making-of for "The Boys in the Band," featuring interviews with director William Friedkin, playwright and screenwriter Mart Crowley, and actors Laurence Luckinbill and Peter White, writer Tony Kushner, and executive producer Dominick Dunne.

• "Act Three: 40 Years of 'The Boys in the Band'" (5:33, HD) is a 2008 making-of for "The Boys in the Band," featuring interviews with director William Friedkin, playwright and screenwriter Mart Crowley, and actors Laurence Luckinbill and Peter White, writer Tony Kushner, and executive producer Dominick Dunne.

• "Friedkin Uncut" (107:28, HD) is a 2018 documentary from director Francesco Zippel.

• "Turner Classic Movies Intro #1" (9:33, HD) features thoughts on "The Boys in the Band" from host Ben Mankiewicz and guest Mario Cantone.

• "Turner Classic Movies Intro #2" (5:18, HD) features thoughts on "The Boys in the Band" from host Ben Mankiewicz and guest Mario Cantone.

• "Turner Classic Movies Intro #3" (4:15, HD) features thoughts on "The Boys in the Band" from host Ben Mankiewicz and guest Mario Cantone.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

The Boys in the Band 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Boys in the Band" is a fascinating examination of personalities taxed by the pressures of a social experience, with the characters reunited, but not necessarily happily. Crowley creates a minefield of personal issues and deep-seated irritations to follow as the birthday celebration turns into something more confrontative, concentrating on layered characterizations and developing hostilities. It all comes to a superb boil thanks to Friedkin's tight direction and focus on turning the inherent flatness of the stage into a claustrophobic screen space, and performances are strong all around, providing a richly emotional view of distinct people fighting their feelings and evolving fears during an exceptionally long summer night in New York City.