The Wild Heart Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Wild Heart Blu-ray Movie Review

A worthy release offering two fascinating cuts

From the imaginative creative minds of filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (the team responsible for The Red Shoes & A Matter of Life and Death), The Wild Heart is the roadshow version of Gone to Earth as assembled by legendary producer David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind, King Kong, Rebecca). The original version is also included on this Blu-ray release. Based on the novel by author Mary Webb, either version offers a unique experience and feature a strong performance by the breathtaking beauty Jennifer Jones (The Towering Inferno, Since You Went Away).

There is something fascinating in comparing the two different cuts of the feature. The original version (which runs far longer at an hour and fifty-one minutes) plays much differently than the roadshow film (running one hour and twenty-seven minutes). While the original version has a more in-depth story which provides greater depth to the characters and setting, the roadshow release feels much more streamlined while retaining most of the key elements. In most regards, I tend to prefer the original version of any given feature. However, while the Gone to Earth cut might be a superior version from a storytelling perspective, the re-cut version feels more organic and beautiful. There's a strong sense of rhythm behind it and it simply pulled me into the world with ease.

Jennifer Jones: A Breathtaking Beauty

There are some remarkable production elements that help to expand upon the world of the film and make things even more compelling. Featuring a first-rate production design by Hein Heckroth (The Tales of Hoffmann, Torn Curtain), the stage is set with authenticity and visual finesse. With a absorbing music score composed by Brian Easdale (The Red Shoes, Peeping Tom), the filmmaking often feels surreal. Then there's the greatest star of the show: the beautiful cinematography by Christopher Challis (The Deep, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) is downright mesmerizing. There's a serene aura of sophistication to the visuals and it makes the experience all the more rewarding.

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger collaborated together on both the screenplay and direction and their efforts together are superb. Regardless of a viewers preferred cut of the feature film, it's hard to ignore how beautiful the filmmaking is in either version. Each cut has its own unique merits and fans of the film should consider experiencing both versions to get a complete experience. A mesmerizing film showcasing the superb Jennifer Jones at her best.

The Wild Heart Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Wild Heart arrives on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC high definition presentation. The Wild Heart had a technicolor 35mm print. This presentation is in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. Gone to Earth (the original version of the film as released in 1950) is also presented.

Please note that there are some differences between the transfers on the roadshow version of The Wild Heart and the original release version of Gone to Earth. Screenshots #1-15 are from The Wild Heart while screenshots #17-31 are from Gone to Earth. Please note that in screenshot #1 (as taken from The Wild Heart) one can compare the image directly to screenshot #20 from Gone to Earth. Screenshot #5 from The Wild Heart also corresponds directly to screenshot #19 for Gone to Earth.

The great news is that The Wild Heart has received an impressive presentation which has lush color reproduction with beautiful depth and clarity. The image is stunningly clear and the video is free of detrimental print damages and flaws for most of the presentation. There are no distracting traces of debris, dirt, and scratches. There is a clear vibrancy to this master which looks quite lovely in high definition. The outdoor sequences showcase the beautiful countryside with fluid color and the rich tapestry of the costumes take full effect.

On the flip-side of the equation, it's abundantly clear that the presentation for the original release, Gone to Earth, is shockingly poor by comparison. Colors are not as robust and are uniformly less robust on the presentation. Detail and fine film grain is not as well textured on the image. There are examples of print wear and some signs of age on the presentation which are not present on the roadshow version. The two different versions are quite distinctive and its clear that not as much care went into the presentation for the original version.

Looking at screenshot #1 from The Wild Heart one can see how impressive the scan is for with how beautiful the film print appears and the rose-red lipstick of star Jennifer Jones. By comparison, the presentation from screenshot #20 shows that Gone to Earth is less refined and the colors are more muted. Jones's natural beauty appears more radiant with the scan of the roadshow version.

In screenshot #5 the image appears remarkably impressive: the green outdoors looks vibrant and lush with deep color that beautifully renders the cinematography. In screenshot #19 one can see that the image is not as robust with the greens looking less vivid and the somewhat brighter hue to the cinematography ultimately gives off a tinted-green that less pleasing on the eyes.

The Wild Heart Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Just as with the video-presentation between the two versions, there is a clear discrepancy between the different audio presentations. Both the roadshow version (The Wild Heart) and the original version (Gone to Earth) are presented with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio mono soundtracks. However, experiencing both versions offers a different perspective on the presentation.

The Wild Heart is impressive sounding with clear fidelity that offers crisp detail in the soundstage. Dialogue is clean, clear, and easy to understand throughout. The music and mono sound design is impressive. Just as with the comparatively disappointing video-presentation for Gone to Earth, the audio track doesn't sound quite as crisp and clear on Gone to Earth. Though not a night-and-day difference it's clear that the track is not as clear and that the film had less care done for audio-restoration efforts. A disappointing effort. While Gone to Earth has modestly decent audio it simply falls short when one compares to The Wild Heart. Optional English subtitles are provided.

The Wild Heart Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes two versions of the film (as discussed in the feature review section of this review.) The first presentation is the roadshow edition (HD, 1 Hr. 27 min.) of The Wild Heart and the second presentation is of the complete original version (HD, 1 Hr. 51 min.) produced in 1950 as Gone to Earth.

Audio Commentary by film historian Troy Howarth on The Wild Heart (Roadshow version)

Audio Commentary by film historian Samm Deighan on the original version Gone to Earth

Trailers promoting other releases from Kino (with an emphasis on other films featuring The Wild Heart leading actress Jennifer Jones): Since You Went Away (HD, 1:39), Duel in the Sun (SD, 2:16), Portrait of Jennie (HD, 1:42), Ruby Gentry (HD, 1:59), Indiscretion of an American Wife (HD, 2:15), and A Farewell to Arms (SD, 2:37).

The Wild Heart Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's something remarkably powerful about experiencing The Wild Heart. The filmmaking is altogether beautiful and the cinematography is breathtaking. The roadshow version of the film looks lovely and fans of the film will be pleased with this worthwhile presentation. The original version of the film, Gone to Earth, doesn't fare as well but is still worth checking out. Jennifer Jones delivers a standout performance and carries both versions with her natural charm. Recommended.