Reds Blu-ray Review

Paramount's Blu-ray release of "Reds" presents a significant stride above the average video quality of early 1080p/MPEG-2 transfers during its 2006 debut, notably benefiting from the uncommon decision to distribute the film across two BD-25 single-layer discs. This division not only pays homage to the film's original intermission experience but crucially mitigates compression issues that frequently marred other early Blu-ray presentations, granting a clearer, more refined visual experience. Despite being a product of its time, and not without its flaws such as lingering artifacts, crushed shadows, and occasional contrast fluctuations, the overall video quality remains commendable. The detail varies, reflecting perhaps limitations of the original print rather than the transfer process, with some scenes displaying remarkable clarity while others appear slightly blurred. Nonetheless, the high-definition transfer showcases strong primary colors, stable black levels, and pleasing skin tones, delivering a visual appeal that respects the film’s naturalistic and historical aesthetics.

While the transfer exhibits a filmic charm enhanced by moderate grain, offering a sense of authenticity and depth especially in natural lighting and outdoor scenes, it is not without minor drawbacks. Occasional noise and slight edge enhancement detract from a completely faithful rendition of the film’s original texture. Comparisons with the HD DVD version highlight subtle discrepancies in sharpness and detail resolution, with the latter occasionally outperforming the Blu-ray in delivering a smoother and more detailed picture. Despite these comparisons, the Blu-ray edition of "Reds" boasts an admirable restoration for a film celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary at the time of release. Paramount’s meticulous attention to color fidelity, contrast management, and the eradication of physical blemishes on the print ensures that, despite inherent limitations of the source material and technology of the era, this release significantly surpasses standard DVD quality and offers fans a visually pleasing experience that comes respectably close to honoring Warren Beatty’s cinematic vision.

Paramount has endeavored to modernize the auditory experience of "Reds" for its Blu-ray release, presenting viewers with two distinct audio tracks: a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound mix alongside the film’s original mono audio in a 2.0 format. Despite these efforts, both renditions suffer from the constraints of the early '80s sound design and the blunted capacities of their 2006 Blu-ray reissue, leading to an output that feels somewhat antiquated and lossy. The dialogue, while predominantly clear and at an appropriate level, is marred occasionally by clipping and compression issues, undermining its consistency. Sound effects exhibit a semblance of strength yet fall into the trap of appearing staged and inconsistent, betraying a tinny quality. Furthermore, the surround track, albeit an improvement in LFE support and rear ambience, fails to transcend its front-heavy domain, resulting in an auditory experience that barely elevates beyond its mono counterpart.

The 5.1 surround mix, encoded at a robust 1.5mbps, appears as a lavish attempt to rejuvenate the film’s audio, yet it can't fully mask the inherent limitations of 'Reds''s original elements. The dynamic range is constricted, leading to subdued highs and a lackluster mid-range that does not quite reach the depths of immersive sound quality. Although efforts have been made to clean the source from distracting audio artifacts—resulting in an absence of hiss, pops, or distortion—the overall mix leans heavily on the front channels due to the dialogue-driven nature of the film. This results in an experience that, despite technical cleanliness, lacks the depth and immersion one might hope for from a surround sound presentation.

Given these factors, the Blu-ray’s audio element delivers a mixed bag. The original mono track offers a straightforward, unembellished auditory experience that aligns with expectations for a film of its era. In contrast, the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, while technically competent and free from egregious faults, fails to substantially elevate 'Reds' beyond its dated origins. Consequently, while Paramount’s efforts provide a modest improvement over previous DVD audio offerings, neither audio presentation manages to truly captivate or provide a compelling reason to favor one significantly over the other.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Reds" offers a notably lean yet significantly rich supplementary package, centered around the "Witness to 'Reds'" documentary. This 75-minute feature is presented in seven thoughtfully organized segments—The Rising, Comrades, Testimonials, The March, Revolution (parts 1 and 2), and Propaganda—each contributing to a deeply engaging behind-the-scenes exploration. Spearheaded by Warren Beatty's first-ever contribution to DVD extras, the documentary stands out for its absence of typical enhancements like audio commentary or interactive features, emphasizing instead candid dialogues and analyses from a roster of participants including Jack Nicholson, Paul Sorvino, and Barry Diller, amongst others. Despite Diane Keaton's notable absence, the participation level reflects the project's unique draw under Beatty's helm. Covering everything from the film's challenging inception to its complex production and reflective post-production phase, this package, though sparse, delivers a considerable measure through its insider perspectives and a newly created theatrical trailer, even as it leaves audiences yearning for more archival material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Witness to 'Reds': A comprehensive 75-minute documentary featuring Warren Beatty and contributors discussing various phases of the film's creation and impact.

Warren Beatty's "Reds," an exhaustive cinematic journey into the life of American journalist and communist John Reed, stands as a colossal testament to Beatty's ambition and dedication. Taking over fifteen years to transition from a budding idea to a sprawling, 195-minute epic that captures the tumultuous era of the early 20th century, "Reds" balances the personal with the political, weaving a narrative that is both intimate and grandiose. Despite its ambitious scope, including detailed reenactments and real-life interviews with contemporaries of Reed, the film has been critiqued for its uneven pacing and focus, veering at times too heavily into the personal drama at the expense of its historical and political potential.

At the heart of the film is the relationship between John Reed (played by Beatty himself) and Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton), whose love story unfolds against the backdrop of revolution and social change. While the depiction of their relationship provides a human element to the historical narrative, it often overshadows the broader implications of Reed's work and ideological journey. The inclusion of interviews with actual survivors of the era is a stroke of genius, offering authenticity and depth, yet the film's fluctuating tone between these segments and the dramatized portrayal of Reed's life sometimes disrupts its narrative cohesion.

Despite these criticisms, "Reds" is laudable for its detailed production and Beatty's unyielding commitment to his vision. The movie's portrayal of historical events through the lens of personal experiences allows for a unique examination of revolution and ideology. While it may not have fully captured the essence or radical nature of Reed's life and times, "Reds" presents a compelling blend of drama and history, underscored by standout performances from its cast, notably Jack Nicholson in a restrained yet impactful role. In revisiting "Reds," viewers are offered a rich tapestry that, albeit flawed, showcases an important chapter in world history through the intricate dynamics of love, ambition, and idealism.

The 2006 Blu-ray presentation of "Reds" finds itself in a unique position within the annals of period piece cinema, boasting an exceptional cast that somewhat mitigates the film's slower pace and diminished contemporary appeal. This release, marked by an MPEG-2 transfer and standard audio specifications, fails to meet the heightened expectations set by later home video formats, presenting a decent but not outstanding visual experience. The inclusion of a top-notch behind-the-scenes documentary provides a substantial value to fans, making this 2-disc set a noteworthy upgrade from previous DVD editions, despite its technical shortcomings.

Warren Beatty's triple role as writer, director, and star infuses "Reds" with a palpable passion that transcends its occasionally mawkish love story and politically charged narrative. The intimate nature of this epic sets it apart, offering something of value regardless of one's political inclinations. However, the Blu-ray release’s somewhat underwhelming surround sound remix and the necessity for a mid-movie disc swap may deter potential viewers. Despite these drawbacks, the strong remaster and retrospective documentary are significant attractions that suggest the Blu-ray version of "Reds" deserves attention, if only as a rental.

In conclusion, while the 2006 Blu-ray release of "Reds" might not fully satisfy audiophiles or videophiles seeking the pinnacle of home cinema experiences, it remains an important acquisition for enthusiasts of historically significant films and Warren Beatty's cinematic contributions. The release combines a fine visual remaster with valuable supplemental content, which, despite its audiovisual and logistical limitations, solidifies its status as a respectable addition to a film aficionado's collection. Thus, while it may not warrant an immediate purchase for the casual viewer, it certainly merits consideration from dedicated fans and cinephiles interested in the evolution of politically charged cinema.