The Man in the Glass Booth Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Man in the Glass Booth Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 4, 2017

The American Film Theater was a production company dedicated to the creation of movies based on stage plays and musicals, using a subscription- based releasing strategy to bring theater to the masses, not unlike today’s multiplexes, which host monthly opera offerings to packed houses. The idea was the preserve the source material, keeping the efforts spare and cheap, but also sustaining their artistic voice. Perhaps the most notable of the 13 endeavors was 1975’s “The Man in the Glass Booth,” which managed to secure a theatrical run that resulted in an Academy Award nomination for star Maximilian Schell, who pours his blood, sweat, and tears into his portrayal of an Adolf Eichmann-type put on trial in Israel for war crimes.

To appreciate “The Man in the Glass Booth,” one has to get used to Schell’s performance. It’s a vigorous take on encroaching madness, with director Arthur Hiller permitting the actor free reign to tear his insides out for the camera, screaming and slapping his way through the feature. It’s aggressive acting that disregards the intimacy of film, and the turn grows wilder the longer Schell’s character, a deranged man steeped in the ways of Judaism who may have been a Nazi in WWII, is pushed by lawyers and witnesses. Offering Schell, a fine actor, Oscar recognition is perhaps a bit too generous, but there’s undeniable commitment to observed, even when Hiller forgets he’s making a picture, not a play.

The Man in the Glass Booth Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Man in the Glass Booth" is bright and largely clear, working from a "2K restoration from the original 35mm negative." Clarity is valuable throughout the viewing experience, with the effort largely immobile, inviting a deeper inspection of set design, acting subtleties, and Schell's old man make-up, which doesn't always hold up in HD, revealing cracks and stubble from a shaved head. Overall, colors come through as intended, enjoying a primary boost through costuming, while courtroom interiors remain intact. Skintones are natural. Delineation is adequate, only really challenged during evening sequences. Whites are a tad bloomy. Source has its rough spots, but nothing distracting, with speckling and mild scratching appearing throughout.

The Man in the Glass Booth Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There's nothing truly exciting about the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix. It's a functional track but not dynamic one, focusing intently on dialogue exchanges. Voices retain their loudness but age is apparent through sharper highs and crispy S-sounds. Room environments are largely preserved, securing necessary echo and expanse. Hiss is present throughout the listening event, and pops are periodically detected.

The Man in the Glass Booth Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (22:21, SD) with Arthur Hiller (recorded in 2002) examines adaptation goals for "The Man in the Glass Booth," with efforts made to give the original Robert Shaw play more emotional movement. Hiller discusses his decision to cast Schell over Donald Pleasance (who originated the role on stage), a strange rehearsal period that actually included an afternoon when Schell was locked inside the glass booth (requiring a messy rescue plan), and the path toward an Oscar nomination for the lead actor. Hiller also explores the material's themes and the movie's position of importance to the American Film Theater.

• Interview (26:16, SD) with Edie Landau (also recorded in 2002) covers the history of the American Film Theater, from its concept to its release strategy. Producing challenges are also detailed, with AFT's creative ambition coming up against limited budgets and interest from a wider audience.

• AFT Trailer (6:30, SD) is mid-1970s promotional piece introduced by Ely Landau, who thanks audiences for supporting the company's first season, providing a look back at the year's highlights, including "Rhinoceros" (starring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel), "A Delicate Balance" (with Katherine Hepburn and Paul Scofield), and the musical "Lost in the Stars."

The Man in the Glass Booth Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With a brief intermission to divide acts, "The Man in the Glass Booth" showcases the suffocation of guilt and the trial that puts the titular character through a routine of condemnation and rebuttal. Hiller maintains stagey qualities throughout (the play was originally written by Robert Shaw, who took his name off the movie), ignoring the cinematic possibilities of the material. This leaves "The Man in the Glass Booth" slightly dulled despite Schell's hurricane-inspired performance, making it a long journey to an inevitable conclusion.