6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Jayne takes us on a review of her last world tour. She takes us through Rome, shares a fantasy about Roman athletes, and then is off to Cannes. She takes a trip to the nudist colony on the Isle of Levant, where she almost kind of joins in. Then it's off to Paris, where she gets a beauty treatment from Fernand Aubrey, and attends some racy dance revues. In New York and Los Angeles, she visits some topless clubs and listens to a topless all-girl pop band. The film wraps up with some posthumous footage of her family in mourning.
Starring: Jayne Mansfield, Robert Jason, Carolyn De Fonseca, Mickey Hargitay, Dick RandallDocumentary | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
"The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films. The supplemental features on the disc include remastered trailer for the film; video interview with Blanche Barton; and the documentary film "The Wild, Weird, Wonderful Italians". In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
This is life. Embrace it, or step aside.
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films.
This release was produced in cooperation with Something Weird Video, which supplied a 35mm print that was used to produce a new 4K master. Official credits that are included with the release state that the 35mm is the only one Something Weird Video had in its vaults, but I am unsure if it is the best surviving element for the film.
Obviously, the technical presentation isn't optimal. (This is the exact reason why an SD transfer of the film is included as a bonus feature as well). There are different density and clarity fluctuations, plus numerous shifts in terms of delineation and depth that cannot be linked to the original cinematography. The color scheme also lacks proper color values. Plenty of scratches, marks, and spots can be seen as well. So, there are different types of notable source limitations. However, as presented here the film still has plenty of decent and even good organic qualities. How so? Well, the entire film has a dated theatrical appearance of the type that you would get from an aged 35mm print. Given that a lot of the footage has a documentary quality, I was not at all bothered by the different types of fluctuations and age-related imperfections. The less than optimal color scheme is really where the presentation suffers the most because a few quick looks at the SD transfer immediately make it painfully obvious that this film is supposed to be very beautiful, with plenty of lush colors that compliment its wild footage. But if the 35mm print truly is the only element that could be used, then I am afraid that the 4K master really does pull out everything it can from it. To sum it all up, the technical presentation is rough, but the entire film still has fine aged organic qualities and looks like film. My score is 3.25/5.00. (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).
There is only one standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The lossless can be a bit uneven at times because the film incorporates quite a lot of raw organic footage, but clarity is very good. Some minor pops and light buzz remain, but there are no distortions, dropouts, or other similar distracting anomalies. The narration is very easy to follow. So, the bottom line is this: there is some room for cosmetic improvements, but the lossless audio makes it very easy to enjoy the film.
I have always had a spot in my library for The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield because I think that it is a tremendous time capsule. It sees life in four of the greatest cities in the West from such an unusual angle that I don't know how it can be disliked. Yes, its notorious star often fills up the screen, but examine what happens around her and you should quickly realize that there is some true gold in it. I honestly think that it is a total waste of time to pay attention to folks who have argued in the past that The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield is one of the worst films ever made because obviously they can't even begin to detect the illuminating sense of freedom that defines it. Severin's release is sourced from a rough but pleasing 4K master. It also features the equally unusual and very entertaining documentary The Wild, Weird, Wonderful Italians. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (If you enjoy The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield, research some of the documentaries and feature films in the BFI's Flipside series).
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