Inside Daisy Clover Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Inside Daisy Clover" utilizes a 1080p master likely derived from a new 2K scan of the interpositive, resulting in a robust and aesthetically pleasing visual experience. The film is encoded using the MPEG-4 AVC codec and maintains the original Panavision theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Image quality is consistently strong with good density, showcasing earthy color palettes and restrained yet inviting visuals. The restoration handles grain exceptionally well, especially in blue skies, offering clean textures and sharp details in both close-ups and wide shots. Significant manual cleanup ensures an extremely clean picture, free from dirt or debris, supported by first-rate disc compression that avoids artifacts, banding, and excessive digital noise reduction.

The presentation boasts vibrant color reproduction, with natural skin tones and genuine color saturation, particularly noticeable in fabrics and specific scenes like the ocean's blue hues during beach and boating segments. Depth of field is remarkable, enhancing the sense of scale and spacing across Hollywood backlots and shooting locations. Cinematic movement is smooth with no visible distortion, further bolstered by black levels that are deep and natural, allowing fine details to emerge on dark surfaces such as hair follicles and fabric patterns without any crushing. The transfer's clarity and detail breathe life into the Oscar-nominated sets and costumes, providing a visually sparkling experience throughout. Despite a minor frame jump at the 44-minute mark, which appears to be a source material issue found in previous releases, this Blu-ray is a substantial upgrade over Warner Archive's 2018 DVD release.

Overall, "Inside Daisy Clover" in this Blu-ray edition delivers a meticulously cleaned and high-quality visual experience that significantly surpasses prior home video offerings, ensuring a faithful and engaging viewing experience for fans and cinephiles alike.

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix for "Inside Daisy Clover" impressively delivers a powerful sonic presence accentuating André Previn's masterful score. This track demonstrates seamless fidelity and dynamic range despite noticeable ADR usage, particularly during Daisy's singing sections. Dialogue and background effects are well-balanced, evidence of expert mixing that ensures clarity without competition for attention. Optional English (SDH) subtitles further enhance accessibility, with no sync issues detected.

Distinctive attributes of the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix include robust fidelity and a crisp recording of dialogue that melds flawlessly with Previn’s vibrant score and the film's sound effects. The mix is free from age-related artifacts such as hiss, pops, crackles, or flutter, ensuring a clean listening experience. Sound elements are harmoniously balanced, offering depth and layering that enriches the cinematic auditory experience.

Further, the restored audio track is notable for its minimal analog hiss. The film benefits from clear and ever-present dialogue integration, enhancing immersion in every scene. Musical numbers see a slight shift where vocals blend more with the instrumentals—a nuanced detail expected in period films, yet still maintaining high standards of clarity and presence. Overall, the mix provides a pleasurable and contextually fitting auditory experience for the film.

The Blu-ray of "Inside Daisy Clover" comes with preserved extras that enhance the overall viewing experience, aiming to provide cinephiles with additional layers of enjoyment. The inclusion of Chuck Jones' 1964 Road Runner short "War and Pieces" cleverly mirrors the main feature's themes when viewed from the Coyote's perspective, adding an engaging parallel narrative. The theatrical trailer serves as an evocative vintage promotional piece that has been restored in HD for a modern audience.

Extras included in this disc:

War and Pieces: This 1964 Road Runner cartoon directed by Chuck Jones provides a humorous complement to the main feature.

Theatrical Trailer: A restored in HD vintage promotional piece, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original marketing.

Inside Daisy Clover, directed by Robert Mulligan and released in 1965, delves into the tumultuous Hollywood of the 1930s through the eyes of a young woman plucked from obscurity. Natalie Wood portrays Daisy Clover, a tomboyish teen living near Santa Monica Pier, who dreams of stardom. Daisy's rise to fame—jumpstarted by her acceptance at Swan Studios under the icy gaze of studio head Raymond Swan (Christopher Plummer)—is marked by a whirlwind romance with fellow actor Wade Lewis (Robert Redford) and a series of personal and professional conflicts. The film’s narrative explores Daisy's journey through a cutthroat entertainment world, accentuating tension through her tempestuous relationships and the studio’s unscrupulous control.

Despite the compelling premise, Inside Daisy Clover often struggles with execution. Wood's performance is strong, even if her casting as a teenager is questionable given her age during filming. Support from Christopher Plummer as the calculating studio chief and Robert Redford as the charming yet flawed leading man enhances the performances, though the film falters in its ability to convincingly depict Daisy’s ascent to stardom. The insular nature of Daisy's journey lacks the broader public perspective necessary for a more immersive experience and is hindered further by repetitive musical numbers that don’t quite resonate. The screenplay adaptation by Gavin Lambert from his own novel does bring certain historical allusions, echoing figures like Judy Garland and Jackie Coogan, while navigating repressive Production Code limitations.

The film is buoyed by Andr� Previn’s evocative score and Charles Lang’s atmospheric cinematography. These elements effectively recreate 1930s Santa Monica, lending a dual charm that also inadvertently captures the 1960s era authenticity. While Natalie Wood's robust performance and some brilliantly executed scenes stand out—especially those with Redford—the film's structural issues and mediocre storytelling detract from its overall impact. Though not groundbreaking, Inside Daisy Clover provides engaging drama and serves as an intriguing artifact of its era, particularly appealing to enthusiasts of its cast and setting.

"Inside Daisy Clover" is an ambitious film set in the Hollywood of the 1930s that offers a relatively honest and engrossing depiction of the era. Despite an abundance of talent and deliberate steps in its production, the film struggles to connect on an emotional level due to the unconvincing appeal of its titular character. However, fans of Natalie Wood and Robert Redford will find their performances, particularly their shared scenes, to be the immediate highlights.

Warner Archive Collection has succeeded in delivering "Inside Daisy Clover" with their usual high standards. The Blu-ray transfer provides an exceptional 1080p presentation, enhancing the film's impressive production design. The lossless audio ensures that the musical score and dialogues are crisp and clear, further immersing viewers in the period setting. While the extras are sparse, including only a Looney Tunes classic, this addition is curiously welcome.

In conclusion, "Inside Daisy Clover" may not meet all its narrative ambitions, but it remains worth watching for its performances and historical portrayal of Hollywood. The Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray offers a definitive experience for fans of the cast and collectors who value high-quality transfers.