The Bride Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory’s Blu-ray release of The Bride offers a commendable video presentation, leveraging an MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 with an exquisite HD master from Sony. The 1080p resolution brings a significant improvement over previous DVD releases, featuring a 1.78:1 aspect ratio that opens up slightly from the original theatrical framing of 1.85:1. The transfer benefits from consistent clarity and robust grain textures, especially in darker scenes. Skin tones are natural and even, while the lush greenery around the castle and richly detailed interiors highlight impressive color reproduction. Despite occasional white nicks on the print, the restoration succeeds in preserving the source material’s inherent visual quality.

The soft, gothic aesthetic of The Bride pays homage to classic filmmaking styles, foregoing ultra-sharp definition for a more atmospheric presentation. The HD transfer exhibits a strong color palette with dense shadows and film-like grain intact. Notable technical achievements include the clean differentiation of facial details and textures—even though some black levels exhibit minor crushing and contrast enhancements are subtle. Darker scenes maintain their integrity without notable compression artifacts, ensuring a smooth viewing experience. However, occasional mild ringing and processing artifacts hint at the age of the source material, though these are minimal and do not detract significantly from the overall quality.

Finally, color reproduction throughout The Bride is meticulously handled, with natural and consistent skin tones, and an effective use of earth tones and blue/gray hues to maintain the film’s moody atmosphere. The image depth is also well-executed, providing a good sense of dimensionality without distortion. Blacks are deep, occasionally inky, adding a haunting layer of shadow without losing too much detail. Overall, this Blu-ray release stands out as a significant enhancement over previous editions, delivering a visually satisfying experience for fans of this classic film.

The audio presentation for "The Bride" on Blu-ray is delivered through a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo track, preserving the original Dolby 2.0 Surround mix. Maurice Jarre's understated score adds character without overshadowing other audio elements. The score oscillates seamlessly between the two front channels, providing solid imaging and ample depth. Dialogue reproduction is clear and concise, although a couple of scenes feature quiet passages that might challenge clarity in less-than-optimal listening conditions. The sound effects and action sequences are well-defined, providing a crisp and solid output with admirable, though limited, range.

This DTS-HD MA track breathes life into the film, with nuanced layering and impressive low-frequency sounds that deliver a satisfying thud during key scenes. The front soundstage processes sound separation with aplomb, particularly noticeable during Frankenstein’s creation of Eva. The dynamics are commendable, offering spirited fidelity that heightens the overall cinematic experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are accessible, ensuring clear comprehension of the dialogue. This presentation marks a significant improvement over the previous Columbia DVD release, enhancing both clarity and ambiance without being overly intrusive.

The Blu-Ray extras for "The Bride" offer valuable insights into the film's production through a mix of new and existing content. The audio commentary by director Franc Roddam, retained from an earlier release, provides a candid and engaging look into the making of the film, complete with quirky anecdotes and honest reflections. The newly recorded interviews feature extensive and detailed discussions; Clancy Brown's two-part interview delves into his experiences on set, including interactions with Sting and the rigorous makeup process for his character, Viktor. Franc Roddam's interview supplements the commentary by incorporating visual elements like script shots and film clips, providing a deeper understanding of the production challenges and thematic considerations. Both the TV spot and these interviews enrich the viewer's appreciation of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary With Director Franc Roddam: Honest and entertaining insights into the film's production.
• Interview With Director Franc Roddam: New in-depth discussion with visual elements about production challenges.
• Interview With Actor Clancy Brown: Two-part detailed discussion on his role and experiences.
• TV Spot: A brief promotional spot for the movie.

"The Bride" (1985), directed by Franc Roddam, offers a distinctive take on the classic "Bride of Frankenstein" narrative, dramatically diverging from its predecessors by infusing an 80s music culture flavor and period piece aesthetics. The movie attempts to present a modernized gothic tale but delivers mixed results. Despite its competent cast, including Sting as Dr. Frankenstein and Jennifer Beals as Eva, the film struggles with tonal cohesion and overall execution.

In the movie, Dr. Frankenstein (Sting) creates Viktor (Clancy Brown) from assorted body parts and subsequently brings Eva (Jennifer Beals) to life as his mate. However, Viktor's lack of acceptance and ensuing destruction of the laboratory sets both creations on divergent paths. Viktor's journey with the compassionate circus dwarf Rinaldo (David Rappaport) parallels Eva's transformation under Frankenstein's mentorship into a vision of Victorian womanhood. This bifurcated narrative structure allows for remarkable character development but often at the expense of pacing and thematic unity. Critics have noted that Sting's performance is somewhat wooden, with Beals' portrayal of Eva lacking depth, hindering onscreen chemistry.

The production's visual aesthetic is notably lush, as captured by Stephen Burum's cinematography, with rich color palettes and atmospheric settings that elevate the period drama element. Nonetheless, the plot's expansive two-hour runtime feels overly drawn-out, compounded by an underexplored psychic link between Viktor and Eva—a concept that could have significantly deepened their connection but remains inadequately addressed.

Ultimately, while "The Bride" boasts moments of charm and potential, especially highlighted by Clancy Brown's sympathetic interpretation of Viktor, it is marred by an uneven storyline that struggles to balance gothic horror with romantic drama. It remains a nostalgic but flawed experiment, reflecting more about its time in the 1980s than establishing itself as a timeless remake of the Shelley classic.

"The Bride" is an ambitious yet mixed adaptation of the Frankenstein mythos, helmed by Franc Roddam and starring Sting and Jennifer Beals. The film embraces classic gothic horror tropes and attempts to infuse them with a proto-feminist narrative celebrated more in today's viewing context. Sting’s portrayal of Dr. Frankenstein may diverge from the iconic interpretations of Colin Clive, which some may find off-putting, yet his performance adds an idiosyncratic charm that fits well within the campy ethos of 1980s genre cinema. Jennifer Beals adds visual appeal although her presence is underutilized.

Technically, the Blu-ray release by Scream Factory is commendable. The remastering effort is apparent, delivering a pristine transfer that maintains the period aesthetic that is quintessential to 80s cinema. The aspect ratio of 1.78:1 AVC and DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono audio track ensure that the visual and auditory experience is immersive, enhancing Stephen Burum’s masterful cinematography and Maurice Jarre’s lush orchestral score. Subtitles in English SDH are a welcome addition for accessibility.

Scream Factory has enriched the package further with quality extras, including Roddam's insightful commentary from the 2001 Sony DVD and an engaging two-part interview with Clancy Brown. These additions significantly boost the value for collectors and fans looking for depth beyond the primary feature.

In conclusion, "The Bride" is 100% pure 80s at its core with its period piece horror vibes, sometimes clumsy editing, and characteristic film texture. Despite its occasional awkwardness and varying performances, it remains an entertaining watch due to its amalgamation of kitsch and craft. Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release not only revitalizes this forgotten gem but also ensures that both casual viewers and die-hard 80s horror aficionados find something valuable to appreciate. This release makes for an excellent rental for most and a must-have for collectors of 80s horror cinema.