Howards End Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray presentation of "Howards End" is exemplary, reflecting the meticulous attention given to its 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. Supervised by cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts and sanctioned by director James Ivory, this high-definition transfer stems from the original 35mm interpositive and was executed using a C-Reality Datacine with Oliver Wetgate processing. The resulting image quality is superb, with outstanding detail, clarity, and contrast. Notably, the large panoramic shots of the British countryside appear incredibly vivid and vibrant. The presence of film grain is consistently natural, contributing to the filmic quality without distracting digital noise or evidence of heavy filtering. Instances of edge enhancement and macroblocking are essentially absent, ensuring a clean viewing experience.

The integrity of the original cinematic experience is preserved throughout, with no discernible debris, scratches, blemishes, or dirt affecting the quality of the video transfer. Flesh tones appear lifelike, and black levels are satisfactorily deep, enhancing both texture and detail to an astounding level. This meticulous restoration involved manual removal of thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker from the original 35mm negative, ensuring an immaculate visual presentation. When projected digitally, "Howards End" maintains stability and visual consistency that is sure to impress aficionados of the film. This particular transfer elevates the visual storytelling by highlighting the intricacies of the production design—from the lush grass at Howards End to the detailed costuming—making it a definitive upgrade for Blu-ray collectors.

(Note: This Blu-ray is Region-A locked and requires a region-appropriate or region-free player for access.)

The Blu-ray presentation of "Howards End" features a single audio track: an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. This track has been meticulously remastered at 24-bit from the original 6-track magnetic soundtrack, utilizing advanced technologies such as AudioCube's integrated audio workstation and ProTools HD to attenuate crackle and remove clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum manually. This diligent restoration effort has resulted in a clear, crisp, and well-balanced audio experience that preserves the integrity of the original sound design while achieving modern standards of audio fidelity.

Richard Robbins' score is a highlight of this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, delivering a lush, dynamic, and immersive auditory experience that envelops the listener. Dialogue, a crucial aspect of this dialogue-heavy film, is consistently clear and easy to follow, with no balance issues to obscure the spoken word. The mix provides ambient depth, particularly noticeable in scenes set in London, where environmental sounds like stagecoaches on cobblestone streets and vehicles zooming towards Howards End contribute to the rich soundscape.

This audio presentation stands out for its natural and unintrusive quality. While it doesn't aim for the bombastic impact of a modern Hollywood blockbuster, it captures a degree of subtlety and atmospheric heft that is true to the film's essence. The absence of any audible imperfections such as hiss or crackle underscores the quality of the restoration work. Viewers familiar with earlier SDVD releases will be particularly pleased by the enhanced depth and clarity of this track. In summary, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on this Blu-ray is a testament to Criterion's commitment to delivering top-notch audio quality for classic films.

The Blu-ray extras for "Howards End" provide a comprehensive and richly detailed look into the making of the film, offering insights from key creative figures like James Ivory, Ismail Merchant, and Helena Bonham Carter. The highlight of the collection is "Building Howards End," a retrospective documentary that features engaging interviews and amusing anecdotes, reflecting the dynamic partnership between Ivory and Merchant. Supplementary materials such as "The Design of Howards End" delve into the film's production design and costume creation, showcasing how the team brought historical authenticity to life on a modest budget. The archive documentary "The Wandering Company" provides a deep dive into Merchant Ivory's first twenty years, capturing pivotal moments in their filmmaking journey. While the brief behind-the-scenes featurette and theatrical trailer offer less depth, they round out the disc nicely. Despite their archival nature, these extras maintain high relevance and offer considerable value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Building Howards End: Documentary on the production history with engaging interviews. (43 min)
• The Design of Howards End: Insights into production design and costumes from Luciana Arrighi and Jenny Beaven. (9 min)
• The Wandering Company: A look back at Merchant Ivory's first twenty years of films. (50 min)
• James Ivory on Ismail Merchant, 2009: Director recalls his creative partnership with Ismail Merchant. (13 min)
• Behind the Scenes: Short featurette with comments from cast and crew. (5 min)
• Theatrical trailer: Preview of the film. (2 min)
• Booklet: 16-page essay by Los Angeles Times critic Kenneth Turan.

James Ivory's "Howards End" (1992), adapted from E.M. Forster's novel and scripted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, stands as one of the highest achievements of the Merchant Ivory collaboration. Its meticulous direction, rich narrative layers, and exceptional performances create a compelling period piece that delves deeply into themes of class conflict, morality, and social change. The story revolves around two families: the affluent Wilcoxes and the more liberal Schlegels, set against the backdrop of the early 20th century. Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, and Anthony Hopkins deliver unforgettable performances, rendering their characters' vulnerabilities convincingly as they navigate complex social landscapes.

The film’s technical aspects are equally impressive. The cinematography captures the British countryside's inherent beauty, while Richard Robbins' musical score adds an intoxicating layer to the narrative. Notable editorial choices—like strategic fades to black during key scenes—enhance the storytelling's rhythmic flow. Furthermore, symbolic visuals, such as the juxtaposition of Leonard Bast's (Sam West) desk in a countryside setting, subtly underscore the characters' aspirations and social dislocations. These elements combine to make "Howards End" not just visually stunning but also intellectually engaging.

"Howards End" received critical acclaim and several awards, including three Oscars for Best Actress (Emma Thompson), Best Writing (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala), and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Luciana Arrighi and Ian Whittaker). As a part of Criterion’s collection, the Blu-ray release features a restored 50GB disc that includes a variety of supplemental materials such as behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, and more, enriching the viewing experience for cinephiles. This high-definition treatment highlights the film's intricate details and the "Merchant Ivory" style's refined sophistication, affirming its place as a masterpiece of its genre.

The Criterion Blu-ray release of "Howards End" is a stellar showcase of masterful filmmaking and thoughtful curation. The 4K restoration, supervised by James Ivory himself, ensures that the visual richness of this classic film is preserved with impeccable clarity. The image quality is exceptional, revealing intricate details and vibrant colors that enhance the viewing experience. The audio track, remastered in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, provides flawless fidelity, bringing the nuanced performances and the period ambiance to life with remarkable clarity.

The supplemental package is equally impressive. In addition to carrying over all the extras from the 2005 DVD release, now in high definition, Criterion includes new material that enriches the context and appreciation of the film. Among the highlights are a 13-minute HD featurette with James Ivory reflecting on his collaboration with Ismail Merchant, and a comprehensive 42-minute making-of documentary featuring in-depth interviews with Helena Bonham Carter and production designer Luciana Arrighi. The package also includes a 50-minute 1984 documentary detailing the history of Merchant Ivory Productions until that year, providing valuable insights into their creative journey. Other notable extras include a production design featurette, a behind-the-scenes segment, and the original theatrical trailer. Additionally, a new essay by Kenneth Turan in the enclosed booklet offers a thoughtful critique of the film.

Criterion's treatment of this most beautiful film is exceptionally strong. I wish they would also find the time and resources to release Quartet, my favorite film from the Merchant Ivory Collection. Of course, Howards End comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.