Letter Never Sent Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Mikhail Kalatozov's "Letter Never Sent" impressively presents the film in a 1080p transfer, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and maintained in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. This high-definition transfer, created from a new 35mm print and meticulously cleaned using MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean, along with Image Systems' DVNR for minor dirt and noise reduction, is particularly noteworthy. The resulting image ranks among the best looking B&W films under the Criterion label. The film boasts fantastic detail, with close-ups exhibiting excellent depth and clarity, while panoramic vistas remain notably fluid. Contrast levels are stable, offering well-balanced lush blacks and gentle grays and whites with a pleasing color gradation.

Despite its age and inherent wear, the film is sharp and engaging on this Blu-ray presentation. Criterion's usual techniques to mitigate scratches and debris have been applied, but the extent of the original negatives' damage means some imperfections are unavoidable. Nonetheless, the sharpness behind the wear is uncanny, revealing intricate details like facial pores and strands of beard hair. The DNR application is minimal, preserving these features without erasing them. The outdoor settings, often fraught with contrast issues in old films, handle extreme natural lighting exceptionally well here. Even scenes set in shaded forests maintain clarity, showing background detail through tree lines.

Noise, bands, artifacts, and aliasing are conspicuously absent in this transfer. Given the sharpness and clarity of the image, no edge enhancement was necessary, making for a clean viewing experience. Overall, despite some persistent scratches and specks, the Criterion release of "Letter Never Sent" on Blu-ray delivers a visually striking version of this classic film.

The audio presentation of "Letter Never Sent" on Blu-ray is provided in its original Russian LPCM 1.0 format. Criterion's efforts in remastering the monaural soundtrack have been commendable. The remastering process included a meticulous clean-up using Pro Tools HD to remove clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum, with additional crackle attenuation via AudioCube's integrated workstation. Consequently, the audio now presents a consistently clean and stable dialog, with Nikolai Kryukov's score receiving adequate exposure. English subtitles are available for non-Russian speakers, ensuring full accessibility to the film’s narrative.

Criterion’s audio engineers deserve praise for their technical prowess in optimizing this track. The sound remains free of distracting background noise, maintaining clarity throughout the film. While the dynamic range is somewhat confined due to the modest sound design of the film, no sync issues or dropouts have been reported. Specific sequences, such as the initial helicopter scene, demonstrate an impressive blending of music and ambient effects. Despite being in mono, the immersive quality and emotional impact underscore the effectiveness of the remastering work.

There are minor drawbacks, including occasional instances of distortion during loud noises like gunshots or screams. These moments tend to carry a muffled high-end distortion, but such issues are infrequent and do not significantly detract from the overall listening experience. However, the track's clarity otherwise holds up remarkably well for its age. The use of silence in critical scenes adds to the film’s dramatic tension, making the audio restoration not only technically proficient but also artistically enhancing.

The Blu Ray of "Letter Never Sent" offers a mixed bag regarding extras, providing a well-crafted and insightful booklet but lacking additional multimedia features. Despite the absence of any video-based special features, such as a "50 Years Later" documentary or other supplementary content, the included illustrated booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Dina Iordanova is noteworthy. The essay delves into the historical and cinematic significance of the film, providing valuable context and enhancing the viewing experience. While the lack of broader extras is disappointing, the booklet itself is a high-quality inclusion that reflects thoughtful curation.

Extras included in this disc:

Booklet: An illustrated booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Dina Iordanova.

"Letter Never Sent" (1960), directed by Mikhail Kalatozov, is a gripping Soviet drama that captivates from start to finish. The film tells the story of four geologists dispatched into the Siberian tundra in search of diamonds to bolster the Soviet economy. The group faces not only the challenges of the harsh environment but also internal conflicts and deeper personal dilemmas. The central figures include Tanya (Tatyana Samojlova), Andrei (Vasili Livanov), Sabinine (Innokenti Smoktunovsky), and Sergei (Yevgeni Urbansky), whose complex relationships add layers of tension and poignancy throughout their perilous journey.

Kalatozov's direction, paired with Sergei Urusevsky's remarkable cinematography, creates an indelible visual experience. The most striking scenes occur during the climactic forest fire, where the fierce natural element becomes a poignant metaphor for the characters' internal struggles. The camera works uniquely, capturing raw, immediate emotion, often drawing comparisons to Werner Herzog's "Aguirre: The Wrath of God." This technique immerses the audience into the peril right alongside the protagonists, enhancing the narrative's urgency and emotional depth.

"Letter Never Sent" stands out not just as a survival story but as a haunting testament to the human spirit's resilience. The film eschews overt Soviet propaganda, focusing instead on universal themes of love, hope, and despair. While deeply rooted in its era's socio-political context, its narrative and aesthetic excellence make it a timeless cinematic masterpiece. Criterion’s release further enriches this experience with a meticulously restored Blu-ray, ensuring that this powerful film continues to inspire and move new generations of viewers.

Mikhail Kalatozov's "Letter Never Sent" is an astonishing, yet little-known, masterpiece of Soviet Cinema. The narrative, a gripping tale of survival against the elements, unfolds with an intensity that rivals the works of Werner Herzog. The structure of the film masterfully builds up characters and a sense of hope in the first half, only to have it eroded by the merciless wilderness in the latter parts. This progression not only makes for a compelling character study but also brings to light techniques and styles that were ahead of their time. Criterion's Blu-ray release of this film is a revelation, providing an incredible appreciation for its cinematic brilliance.

The restoration work on this 50-plus-year-old classic is truly commendable. The black-and-white transfer is exceptionally sharp, arguably one of the best under the Criterion label. Though some flaws remain in the print, they do not detract from the overall spectacular presentation. The mono audio track is nearly flawless, allowing the powerful and creative sound mix to shine through, enhancing the viewing experience significantly. However, it's worth noting that the Blu-ray lacks special features, which would have been beneficial in providing historical context and insights into the challenging wilderness shoot.

In conclusion, "Letter Never Sent" is a true gem of Soviet cinema waiting to be discovered by new audiences. Criterion has done a marvelous job in bringing this classic to light through their meticulous restoration efforts. Despite the absence of additional features, the film itself, with its unparalleled visual and audio quality on Blu-ray, remains an essential addition to any collection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.