7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A medieval rebel is mistaken for a traveling actor/assassin.
Starring: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury, Cecil ParkerMusical | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Family | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (224 kbps)
German: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
English, English SDH, French, German
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Court Jester was neither favorably reviewed nor well attended upon its initial release in 1956, but the film has deservedly developed a following in the decades since. A lavishly produced, smartly scripted, and perfectly played picture, Director Melvin Frank's film is a fine example of a costume comedy, thanks largely to Danny Kaye's legendary performance. Filled with unforgettable dialogue, memorable moments, and humor in abundance, it's lighthearted cinema escapism at its finest.
There's no funny business with The Court Jester's 1080p Blu-ray transfer. Paramount's presentation is exquisite, simply stated. The
VistaVision
film has been restored from a 6K scan of the original negative, as well as a "separation master" to ensure the best possible image for textural and
color
accuracy alike. By the looks of it, Paramount could not have done any better. The picture is meticulously presented with not a hint of deterioration or
color fading in sight. Grain is supple and fine, naturally occurring in appearance and light in density yet critical to the overall feel and quality. Details
delight. The picture's sharpness never relents, revealing incredible detail in faces but perhaps more apropos to this particular image it's the
ornate costumes -- ranging from regal dresses to dense suits of armor, from the Robin Hood rip-off "Black Fox" costume to the Jester attire -- where
the picture truly shines, allowing the viewer ample opportunity to explore fine fabric texture and get a true feel for the weight, the density, and the
detail inherent to each costume. Likewise, the restoration and the resolution bring out the best of the various set pieces and props. It's easy to spot
the seams in the demarcations between real, practical sets and matte paintings, or to find the various "hidden" strings in use to make Hawkins' suit
of armor magnetic. But even as the Blu-ray reveals some of the production design limits it's still a gorgeous example of Blu-ray textural delights at
their very finest.
Color reproduction is magnificent, too. The film is home to a bold and diverse selection of colors that leap off the screen. Various dresses of blue and
pink and red, plenty of examples of regal purples, and other color splashes are extraordinarily well saturated, enjoying rich depth and flawless color
accuracy. These tones are only amplified as they stand out against the stony castle grays that are so prevalent throughout the film as the main
background color, particularly indoors. There's not a color left anything less that bold and true. That extends to blacks and whites on both extremes
as well.
Flesh tones are excellent, too. As splendid as this looks, one can only imagine a UHD version that could further accentuate color and bring out
even more detail, but truly fans of the film, vintage cinema, or just that classic film-like look couldn't be any happier with Paramount's work on this
one. It's a very early contender for placement on 2021's "best of" Blu-ray list.
The Court Jester's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono soundtrack delivers a capable listen within the film's meager and limited original parameters. There's certainly some obvious crunchiness – the end of the Fox song towards film's start or a loud series of marching effects when Hawkins is presented before the king's court for the fraudulent knighting ceremony – to several effects and key moments but the net effect of the entire track is positive, delivering capable cues and detailed (enough) dealings in the aggregate. The two-channel mono track does push to either end with some sense of space. Dialogue hovers around the middle but is not so grounded as to fool the listener into believing there's an active center channel in play. A mild underlying hiss accompanies much of the track, too. Perhaps the written review sounds a little more harsh than the track deserves. There's a capable fundamental listen here, one held back by inherent flaws but in sum the track is effective, particularly in its conveyance of all of the songs and music and fun tongue twisters so prevalent throughout the film.
The Court Jester includes a critic blurb and a trailer. This release is the
13th in the "Paramount Presents" line and includes the slipcover with fold-open poster artwork.
A digital copy code is included with purchase.
The Court Jester is frivolous fun and a highly enjoyable, and highly regarded, classic of yore. The film holds up today for its simple charms, unforgettable wit, and Danny Kaye's legendary performance. Paramount's Blu-ray is a must-own. The picture quality is exquisite, the audio is fine, and while the extras are on the thin side, the Maltin interview is great and the packaging, as part of the "Paramount Presents" line, is very good. This release comes very highly recommended.
Limited Edition to 3000
1967
1995
1978
70th Anniversary Limited Edition
1952
Warner Archive Collection
1943
The Unnecessarily Extended Edition
2014
1993
80th Anniversary Edition
1939
1942
Special Edition
1971
1976
1974
Paramount Presents #36
1961
Stephen Sondheim's Company
2007
Paramount Presents #23
1976
1967
1967
1966
Warner Archive Collection
1952
1961