Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video | | 4.0 |
| Audio |  | 5.0 |
| Extras | | 4.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
The Cold Blue Blu-ray Movie Review
A compelling documentary of Eighth Air Force veterans with stunning 4K-restored war footage
Reviewed by Neil Lumbard June 19, 2020
An outstanding documentary feature production, The Cold Blue is a reminder of the perils of war and the camaraderie of men in harsh times. The film focuses on the Eighth Air Force and their dangerous bombing missions in Germany during World War II. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Erik Nelson (Diary of the Grizzly Man, Journal of the Unknown) explores the missions and the aftermath. Produced by Nelson and Peter Hankoff (Tornado Alley, Unsolved History), the documentary explores WWII and the journeys of the bomber pilots in the U.S. Army Air Force.
Utilizing hours upon hours of footage cut from the William Wyler documentary The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, director Nelson crafts his film with a combination of shocking footage of actual bombings and modern-day interviews with survivors from the Air Force (who discuss their involvement and their roles in helping to end the war). The filmmaking acts as a tribute to these courageous pilots who risked their lives to fight for the end of WWII.
The film manages to explore both the courage of these young, everyday men (many of whom were 19 or 20 when put in bomber crafts to carry out these missions) and the traumatic experiences that the pilots endured during their service in the Air Force. The interview footage is an appreciable and impressive compliment to the documentary and these personal one-on-one segments add to the educational aspect of the documentary filmmaking. It is important to hear from these survivors.
An exploration of war and Air Force heroes
The filmmaking offers viewers a rare glimpse at the bombings and the footage is often difficult to watch. These scenes are not for the faint of heart and seeing the bombs fall from the sky and the aftermath on earth can be traumatic (even for viewers). These moments make one reflect on how devastating war can be. Yet the filmmakers also remember to focus on the heroism of these pilots: reminding audiences of the importance of ending WWII and the dangers these air force heroes faced.
The documentary is enhanced by a surprisingly potent score composed by Richard Thompson (Grizzly Man, JKF: The Final Hours). The music breathes some excitement into some scenes while also being powerful during the dramatic moments. The score is deeply effective (and thereby affecting). This is a music score that adds extra layers.
Erik Nelson approached the documentary with a keen eye for exploring the journey of the pilots. The footage (compiled and edited from the previously-unseen William Wyler outtakes) is assembled with Nelson's directorial vision in mind throughout the film. The end result is a film which will appeal to documentary buffs and historian aficioandos. Though The Cold Blue can be a difficult watch, the documentary will give audiences a lot to think about and discuss with loved ones (or colleagues in an educational setting).
The Cold Blue Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Arriving on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber, The Cold Blue has received a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release features newly restored (in 4K) footage and outtakes taken from the production of the 1944 William Wyler documentary The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. The film also has a number of modern-day scenes with interview-footage.
The archival footage is in surprisingly great shape and has aged well. The 4K restoration offers viewers a massive uptick in detail and the documentary footage is breathtaking (and sometimes devastating). The print quality is surprisingly vital throughout the scan: the transfer is free from distracting print damage, dirt, and debris. The interview segments are strikingly crisp and clear and with good color. Viewers would be hard pressed to find the transfer to The Cold Blue disappointing: an exceptional presentation that capably presents the film. The color footage of the actual combat missions is quite impressive.
The Cold Blue Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The release includes two unique lossless audio options: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. The surround track should be considered essential for those equipped for the full surround-sound experience. The track has great vitality throughout and the sonic landscape is convincingly brought to life. Given the age of the source material, one would expect the sound to be less refined (especially for a documentary production). The sound quality is much better than that: a solid presentation with regards to both archival audio and the score music (and modern narration). Dialogue is consistently crisp, clear, and easy to understand.
English SDH subtitles (for the deaf and hard of hearing) are provided.
The Cold Blue Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
Audio Commentary featuring director Erik Nelson and executive producer Catherine Wyler
The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944) (HD, 45:19) is the original war documentary by director William Wyler. Regarded as a classic war documentary by a Hollywood legend, the film received an exceptional new 4K scan.
Into the Cold Blue: Restoration and Reinvention (HD, 22:47) delves into the process of restoring the footage. The new documentary was compiled using hours of cut footage and was a massive undertaking to restore.
The Flying Fortress Experience (HD, 2:06)
The Cold Blue Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:42)
The Cold Blue Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
A compelling documentary exploring the missions and lives of survivors from the Eighth Air Force, The Cold Blue presents previously-unseen 4K footage taken from the documentary outtakes filmed by director William Wyler. The newly restored documentary footage benefits from the 4K scanning significantly and the filmmaking feels even more immersive as a result. Though war is a deeply disturbing aspect of life, the filmmakers portray both the heroism of these pilots and some of the consequences of war. An expertly crafted documentary, The Cold Blue is essential viewing for any individuals invested in history and the tales we so often forget. Recommended.
