Mean Streets Blu-ray Review

The cinematography of Kent Wakeford in Martin Scorsese's 'Mean Streets' is paramount in creating the film's evocative and innovative visual style, which influenced a whole generation of filmmakers. This 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer from Warner meticulously preserves the original look and feel intended by Scorsese and Wakeford, with its grainy, rough-hewn aesthetic. While this results in a presentation that might appear soft and grainy to untrained eyes, it is a faithful reproduction of the film’s original visual characteristics. The film's inherent flaws—scratches, nicks, and print marks—have been carefully minimized without utilizing invasive noise reduction techniques, ensuring a filmic softness and a genuine representation of the source material.

Comparisons between Warner’s transfer and the Carlotta Films release reveal minor differences. The Warner transfer exhibits slightly crisper fine textures, more natural black levels, and marginally sharper edges. In contrast, the Carlotta transfer has warmer skin tones, slightly more saturated colors, and more oppressive shadows. Despite these differences, both encodes do justice to the film's original presentation, though some may prefer Warner's more lifelike rendition. The 1080p transfer captures the detail and grittiness of Wakeford's handheld 35mm camerawork, providing a cohesive visual consistency throughout all scenes.

Overall, Warner's transfer ensures that 'Mean Streets' retains its visceral reliability. The black levels are robust and though occasional crush appears, shadow delineation is commendable. The color palette, while somewhat bland, is punctuated with vibrant accents that enhance the image vibrantly. The video transfer shows no significant signs of banding, edge enhancement, or other digital artifacts, maintaining a pristine presentation even during numerous night scenes. This version marks the best 'Mean Streets' has ever looked on home video and stands as a testament to Scorsese and Wakeford’s vision.

The Warner release of "Mean Streets" offers a compellingly raw 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix that beautifully captures the gritty essence of Scorsese's urban landscape. This singular channel mix skillfully balances dialogue, effects, ambient sounds, and the '60s rock-infused soundtrack to create a cohesive auditory experience. While it doesn’t mimic recent high-fidelity recordings or studio productions, it remains faithful to the film's 1973 low-budget production roots, reflecting its original sound design. Voices are rendered clear and intelligible, situated in the cacophony of a disorderly city teetering on chaos. Gunshots and outbursts resonate with a clean, punchy quality typical of the ‘70s era. The inclusion of Scorsese’s handpicked '60s rock tracks seamlessly integrates with the film's dramatic narrative, weaving through the scenes to enrich the atmosphere.

Despite being a mono track, the DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio impresses with a surprisingly multidimensional feel. The dynamic range is notably wide, capturing both treble and bass with commendable fidelity. Sound effects such as gunfire, screeching tires, and shattering glass are reproduced with exceptional clarity, while finer nuances remain distinct. The diverse soundtrack—encompassing pop, rock, soul, and opera—is adeptly rendered for optimal impact. Dialogue is predominantly clear and comprehensible, though occasional mumbling or exuberant expressions may obscure some phrases. Crucially, there are no noticeable age-related defects in this nearly 40-year-old track, underscoring its smooth and engaging audio presentation.

Overall, while a lossless 5.1 remix might have offered an expanded soundfield, the mono track's authenticity should not be underestimated. The DTS-HD MA mix for "Mean Streets" stands as a testament to well-executed audio preservation and its ability to evoke the film's distinctive, tumultuous environment effectively.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mean Streets" provide a valuable companion to Scorsese's classic, although not as extensive as the Region-B Carlotta Films release. The Warner release's standout feature is a meticulously curated audio commentary by Martin Scorsese, actress Amy Robinson, and co-writer Mardik Martin. Despite being recorded separately, their insightful and engaging recollections fluidly come together to deliver a deep dive into the filmmaking process, cultural context, and personal histories that shaped the film. Scorsese's detailed narrative of his early life and cinematic influences, along with Robinson's anecdotes about her role and Martin’s reflections on script development and De Niro’s method, offer indispensable insights for any cinephile. Additionally, the disc includes a charming retrospective featurette and the original theatrical trailer, albeit in SD format. The absence of Carlotta’s more extensive content is palpable but doesn't diminish the value of what is provided.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Engaging insights from Scorsese, Robinson, and Martin.
• Vintage Featurette: Back on the Block: Scorsese revisits his old Little Italy neighborhood.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original preview with notable quotes.

The Warner Bros. Blu-ray release of Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets" brings the director's gritty, deeply personal breakthrough film to a wider U.S. audience in a stunning high-definition transfer. The video quality benefits from a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, presenting the film's New York setting and Scorsese's keen perception of neighborhood life with remarkable clarity and detail. The discipline in capturing the essence of Little Italy through real locations is emphasized, and the no-frills artistry of the low-budget production is preserved. This version showcases notably different characteristics from the French release by Carlotta Films, which had been available for over a year exclusively to those with Region B or Region Free players.

Sound is equally impressive with a DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 soundtrack, faithfully delivering the film's raw dialogue and ambient sounds that encapsulate the chaotic, almost palpable texture of the streets. The narrative follows Charlie (played with quiet complexity by Harvey Keitel) and Johnny Boy (a standout Robert De Niro), whose brash performances and dynamic character interactions are brought vividly to life on this disc. Scorsese's early talent and command of his camera shine through with lengthy follow shots and a keen focus on character-driven storytelling. The film's resolution paints the dangerous, aspirational landscape of New York’s Little Italy, a culture depicted with unflinching realism and deeply tied to Scorsese's own experiences.

This edition not only allows "Mean Streets" to resonate with its intrinsic artistic value but also serves as a historical piece marking the first of many exceptional collaborations between Scorsese and De Niro. Each viewing reveals heightened subtleties and a growing resonance that solidifies its place in cinematic history. The Warner Bros. Blu-ray stands as a testament to Scorsese's budding genius and the film’s evolving significance in his illustrious career.

Warner’s Blu-ray release of “Mean Streets” maintains its revered status in the annals of film history, capturing the gritty essence of Martin Scorsese's early, formative work. This foundational piece isn't just an artifact; it exemplifies the raw, unfiltered energy that typifies Scorsese’s filmography. The Blu-ray transfer is adept, presenting a faithful reproduction that preserves the film’s original visual texture while enhancing clarity. The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track offers robust audio quality that complements the film’s rough-edged narrative and performances.

The standout performances by Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel shine through in this high-definition format, underscoring their significant contributions to the movie’s impact. While the special features may not be as exhaustive as some fans might prefer, the commentary by Scorsese and screenwriter Mardik Martin is invaluable, providing insight into the meticulous crafting of this seminal work. Warner has ensured that the film’s essential qualities are intact, offering cinephiles a genuine experience of this critical moment in cinematic history.

In conclusion, "But down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid." Even after thirty-nine long years, “Mean Streets” remains a classic. It's where Scorsese laid the groundwork for his later triumphs like "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas." Despite its unpolished edges, the film’s performances are compelling, the story engrossing, and the cinematography striking. This Blu-ray release belongs in every serious collection, promising an authentic encounter with Scorsese’s early genius. Enjoy this essential piece of film history; it certainly deserves a place on your shelf.