Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Country Girl Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov February 14, 2022

George Seaton's "The Country Girl" (1954) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary by film scholar Jason A. Ney; the documentary film "Grace Kelly, The American Princess"; and vintage promotional materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Director Bernie Dodd (William Holden) needs the right actor to help him make his next musical a box office hit, and he knows the perfect man for the job. It is Frank Elgin (Bing Crosby), a veteran who has had a rough time in recent years but is still one of the best in the business.

Even though Elgin agrees to audition for the part and consequently makes the right impression, Dodd faces fierce resistance from his executive producer because he does not believe that the old-timer still has what it takes to be a legit star. However, instead of capitulating before him, Dodd vows to double his efforts to get Elgin to commit to the job and immediately heads to his place. He meets Elgin and his wife, Georgie (Grace Kelly), and is shocked to discover that she seems to be shaping up all of his decisions. When Dodd attempts to force Elgin to commit to the job on his own, he finds himself stuck in the middle of a very brittle relationship that seems on the verge of a permanent collapse.

But much to Dodd’s surprise, Elgin gathers the courage to take on the part in his musical and then begins rehearsing with him. However, as Elgin slowly regains his confidence as an actor, Dodd realizes that he is a closeted alcoholic whose relationship with his wife is even more complicated than he had previously imagined. As their work continues, Dodd also discovers a completely different side of Elgin’s wife, which initially he finds surprising, then charming, and eventually irresistibly attractive.

A cinematic adaptation of Clifford Odets’ popular Broadway play, George Seaton’s The Country Girl sums up perfectly the very special magic Hollywood used to produce and people could not wait to experience in their local theater. Indeed, The Country Girl is an old film in which the stars act like stars and the man behind the camera does everything right to make them look as good as possible.

The new musical that Holden is putting together is essentially a ruse for a magnificent character study of an aging alcoholic determined to take down with him a loyal woman who can’t stop loving him. Initially, Holden completely misjudges the couple’s relationship, as would any viewer before their character transformations are initiated, and this is one of the film’s greatest accomplishments because it effectively proves that the obvious could be something entirely different when observed from the right angle.

Crosby’s alcoholic isn’t comparable to the nihilistic kamikaze Ray Milland plays in Billy Wilder’s The Lost Weekend, but he is just as dangerous because his addiction is every bit as overpowering. Also, Seaton wraps up The Country Girl while allowing the same ray of hope to emerge that is present at the end of The Lost Weekend, but the intelligent viewer will easily recognize that it is temporary and there are still plenty of dark clouds on the horizon.

Kelly’s transformation is rather astonishing because, until the lavish reception toward the end of the film, she does look like an ordinary girl who has made a decision to sacrifice her best years so that she could be with a man who does not deserve her. Also, while revealing different personalities, she does look extremely comfortable in the company of her male costars, which is interesting, to say the least, because apparently at the same time she managed to have romantic relationships with both.

The only vulnerable area of The Country Girl is the singing because it does seem slightly overpolished at times. But this is very much a minor flaw in an otherwise terrific film.

John F. Warren made his debut as a cinematographer on The Country Girl. He had previously worked as camera assistant and operator on such films as Rebecca, Spellbound, and Force of Evil.

The Country Girl Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Country Girl arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. Even though there is room for some cosmetic improvements, I think that this is a good master that makes it quite easy to enjoy the film at home.

Delineation and depth are usually very nice, plus clarity is always pleasing. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections either, but if the film is fully restored in 4K you will see a more even and ultimately more natural organic field. The grayscale is excellent. There are solid but definitely not boosted blacks, while the existing ranges of grays and whites are very nicely balanced. In fact, I was very surprised to see how well the indoor and darker footage is graded because shadow definition is either very good or excellent. Image stability is good, but some minor enhancements can be performed. I mentioned cosmetic improvements above because you will notice quite a few minor white specks and flecks popping up here and there, plus some small blemishes as well. I am never bothered by them so long as the visuals have strong organic qualities, and this is certainly the case here. (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).

The Country Girl Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is very clear and stable. Naturally, I have to assume that when the current master was prepared the audio was properly transferred and cleaned up. Can it sound even better? I am going to have to give you my standard answer that with modern technology anything is possible. Perhaps there is some room for dynamic enhancements, some minor stabilization too, but I think that the current lossless track is very, very good.

The Country Girl Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for The Country Girl. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• "Grace Kelly, The American Princess" - this archival documentary examines Grace Kelly's career in Hollywood, her relationship with Prince Rainier, and legacy. Included in it are clips from interviews with relatives and close friends, actors that knew her well and had worked with her, Prince Rainier. Also, there is plenty of information about some of the biggest films she appeared in, including The Country Girl, which won her an Oscar statuette. The documentary is narrated by Richard Kiley. In English, not subtitled. (59 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by professor and film scholar Jason A. Ney. The commentary covers a wide range of topics, such as the production of The Country Girl, some of the peculiar similarities between real events and relationships from the lives of its stars and the characters they play, the film's critical success, alcoholism, etc. It is a predictably good commentary, so if you enjoy the film, I encourage you to listen to it in its entirety.

• Stills Gallery - a collection of archival promotional materials for The Country Girl. (5 min).

The Country Girl Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

So much of what is depicted in George Seaton's The Country Girl still feels so relevant that it is actually a bit odd. But it shouldn't because this is what separates the truly great films from the rest -- regardless of the passage of time, they remain relevant and continue to connect with their audience just as easily as they did decades ago. Of course, in The Country Girl you will see three of old Hollywood's greatest stars at the top of their game as well. I think that it is a terrific film, so hopefully it won't be too long before it is made available on Blu-ray in the United States. This recent Blu-ray release from Australian label Via Vision Entertainment is sourced from an older but very nice organic master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. It is Region-Free, too. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.