8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Benjamin, a recent college graduate very worried about his future, finds himself in a love triangle with an older woman and her daughter.
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, William Daniels, Murray HamiltonDrama | 100% |
Romance | 27% |
Dark humor | 18% |
Coming of age | 13% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.36:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B, A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Mike Nichols' "The Graduate" (1967) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive audio commentary with Prof. Dr. Thomas Koebner; exclusive discussion with film writer and director Michael Muszlak; conversation with author Charles Webb; scene analysis; conversation with Prof. Helga de la Motte; the original theatrical trailer for the film; and more. The disc also arrives with a 20-page illustrated booklet. In English, with optional English, French, Spanish, German, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Japanese, Norwegian, and Swedish subtitles for the main feature. Region A/B "locked".
Dustin Hoffman as Ben Braddock
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Mike Nichols' The Graduate arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
This high-definition transfer is not identical to the one MGM used for their Blu-ray release of The Graduate in the United States. It is slightly brighter, boasting a light greenish tint, and featuring a more prominent grain structure. Contrast levels are also a bit more consistent on it. Generally speaking, fine object detail is pleasing -- specifically during the indoor scenes. Clarity levels during the outdoor scenes, however, fluctuate; during the second half of the film some scenes also reveal minor compression artifacts; elsewhere there is extremely light background flicker. Occasionally, traces of mild edge-enhancement are also easy to spot. None of it, however, affects seriously the integrity of the presentation. Macroblocking is not a serious issue of concern. As noted above, the color scheme features prominent greens and generally lighter, more natural blues and browns; the blacks are rich and mostly well saturated. I personally prefer the lighter colors this release favors (the footage with Dustin Hoffman relaxing in the pool clearly looks a lot darker than it should on the MGM release). Lastly, there are no serious stability issues to report in this review. While viewing the film, I also did not see any large cuts, damage marks, warps, stains, or debris. (Note: This Blu-ray disc is Region A and B "locked". Therefore, if you reside in a territory covered by one of these two regions you will be able to play it on your PS3s or SAs. Please note that there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu. For the record, the main menu can be set in one of the following languages: English (Australia), Danish, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish, English (United Kingdom), and Japanese).
There are five audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment have provided optional English, French, Spanish, German, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Japanese, Norwegian, and Swedish subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is very good. The sound has pleasing depth and a good range of dynamics. Additionally, low, mid-range and high-frequencies are not overdone; there are no problematic distortions either. The dialog is clean, stable, and easy to follow. There are no serious balance issues with the wonderful soundtrack either - Simon & Garfunkel's legendary songs sound surprisingly fresh. Lastly, I did not detect any problematic pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review.
Note: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are encoded in 480/60i. Therefore, they are perfectly playable on North American PS3s and SAs.
The Graduate at 25 - Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, producer Lawrence Turman, and screen writer Buck Henry recall their involvement with The Graduate, how the film changed their careers and lives, etc. In English, with optional German, French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles. (23 min, 480/60i).
The Graduate - Looking Back - in this exclusive Studio Canal featurette, film writer and director Michael Muszlak deconstructs The Graduate and talks about the complex socio-political environment in the United States and Europe at the time the film was released. In English, with optional German, French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles. (13 min, 480/60i).
Meeting with author Charles Webb - a wonderful conversation with author Charles Webb. The Graduate is based on Mr. Webb's famous novel. In English, with optional German, French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles. (21 min, 480/60i).
Scene Analysis - Prof. Dr. Thomas Koebner, from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, analyzes specific scenes from The Graduate. In German, with optional English, French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles. (13 min, 480/60i).
About the Music - Prof. Helga de la Motte, from the Technical University of Berlin, discusses the legendary soundtrack of The Graduate. In German, with optional English, French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles. (8 min, 480/60i).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. In English, with optional French subtitles. (4 min, 480/60i).
Song Selection - selected clips from the film:
"Mrs. Robinson"
Written by Paul Simon
Performed by Simon & Garfunkel
"The Sounds of Silence"
Written by Paul Simon
Performed by Simon & Garfunkel
"April Come She Will"
Written by Paul Simon
Performed by Simon & Garfunkel
"Scarborough Fair/Canticle"
Written by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
Performed by Simon & Garfunkel
Commentary - a terrific audio commentary by Prof. Dr. Thomas Koebner, who offers a fantastic analysis of The Graduate and discusses the complex socio-political climate in the United States at the time when the film was first screened. In German, with optional English, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles.
Booklet - a 20-page illustrated booklet containing Marc Webb's very entertaining essay "The Graduate" (Mr. Webb is the director of 500 Days of Summer).
Arguably one of the best American films from the 1960s, Mike Nichols' The Graduate has everything modern American films don't -- charm, character and wit. If you have never seen it, I strongly encourage you to find the time to do so. Contrary to initial reports, the film looks and sounds good on Blu-ray. British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment have also provided a fantastic set of supplemental features. The Blu-ray disc is encoded for Regions A and B. RECOMMENDED.
1967
Limited Edition to 2000 Copies
1967
50th Anniversary Edition
1967
2012
2002
2004
1983
Masters of Cinema
1968
Masters of Cinema
1971
1975
The Woody Allen Collection
1977
1999
Indicator Series
1967
50th Anniversary Edition
1961
2009
1931
1960
1990
25th Anniversary Edition
1983
2012
1979
2001
1970