One from the Heart 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 80
from 6 reviewers
Review Date:
A visually stunning yet divisive film, 'One from the Heart' shines in 4K restoration with exquisite Dolby Vision and DTS-HD 5.1 audio, packed with extensive bonus features.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
DTS-HD MA
Video: 85
A meticulous 4K UHD restoration of Coppola’s 'One from the Heart', featuring Dolby Vision HDR, eradicates prior visual anomalies and accentuates vibrant colors, rich black levels, and intricate detail, delivering the film's best presentation yet at 2160p in the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio.
Audio: 77
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'One from the Heart' delivers a visually stunning presentation with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, showcasing vibrant colors and deep blacks, while its DTS-HD MA 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 audio tracks offer rich, dynamic sound, sharp dialogue, and an immersive soundtrack.
Extra: 85
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "One from the Heart" offers an extensive array of extras, including Coppola’s engaging commentary, archival interviews, and new insightful featurettes on cinematography, choreography, and the influential music score. Both stereo and surround audio tracks are technically robust, with the vibrant 2.0 track standing out.
Movie: 59
"One from the Heart" flaunts Coppola's ambitious yet flawed attempt to modernize Hollywood musicals, blending lush visuals, stylized sets, and Tom Waits' Oscar-nominated score, but inconsistent narrative and character development hinder its success. The 4K restoration, featuring two edits, amplifies its artistic allure and technical innovations, even as the film remains divisive in execution.
Video: 85
The 4K UHD presentation of Francis Ford Coppola's "One from the Heart" is a technical marvel, showcasing a meticulously restored transfer that brings new life to this visually captivating film. Presented in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the 2160p HEVC/H.265 encoded transfer completely revitalizes the 1982 classic, with remarkable enhancements in color accuracy, sharpness, and depth due to Dolby Vision HDR. The film boasts an exquisite reproduction of colors, from vibrant neon signs to both cool and warm tones, that pop with an incredible luster. Blacks are inky and rich, flesh tones appear natural under appropriate lighting, and grain is preserved with cinematic integrity, despite some moments where it may feel heavy.
This new 4K master rectifies many of the visual issues that plagued previous releases, such as the scrim-like crosshatched anomalies and digital artifacts. Detail levels are notably improved, revealing intricate elements like facial pores, individual hairs, and even the intentional imperfections of matte paintings. Some minor blemishes do remain but are barely perceptible. Enhanced HDR grading effectively brings out the film's psychedelic lighting and grading choices, particularly notable in scenes with resplendent blues and greens. The transfer is both cooler and more vibrant compared to an already excellent 1080p version, making it the best the movie has ever looked.
Overall, this latest 4K UHD release stands as a testament to Coppola’s commitment to his cinematic vision, offering a finely tuned visual experience that honors the film’s original style while leveraging modern restoration techniques. This release not only elevates the overall presentation but also serves as a definitive visual representation of "One from the Heart," preserving its artistic essence for contemporary audiences.
Audio: 77
The audio presentation of One from the Heart offers an exceptional remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, providing an enriched, full-bodied, and fluid sound experience. Additionally, a 2.0 LPCM stereo track is available, but the 5.1 track is evidently the superior choice, thanks to its dynamic range and expansive soundstage. Notably, Tom Waits' Oscar-nominated score translates beautifully across the surround channels, and the duets with Crystal Gayle feature impressive separation. The surround track offers good immersion during crowd scenes, though it maintains a narrower sound field than expected from a musical of such flair. Dialogue clarity is impeccable, largely center-based but sometimes mixed lower than the music and ambient effects.
This release's sound design brilliantly highlights the film’s theatricality and surreal nature. Each note of the score resonates with high fidelity, making full use of the spacious soundstage. Despite being originally released in stereo, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 remix captures ambient sounds robustly during bustling sequences like those on the Las Vegas strip. The musical cues breathe freely, aided by strong low-frequency extensions that add a noticeable yet era-appropriate thump on certain sound effects and musical segments. Optional English subtitles are well-implemented and available to accommodate various viewing preferences. Overall, while predominantly dialogue-driven, this remastered audio delivers a rich auditory tapestry that significantly enhances this visually lavish film.
Extras: 85
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "One from the Heart" presents an expansive and meticulously curated selection of extras that provide comprehensive insights into the film's production and legacy. The collection encompasses both new and vintage materials, anchored by a highly engaging commentary from Francis Ford Coppola. The featurettes delve into various aspects such as cinematography, casting, choreography, and musical influences, with standout contributions from notable figures like Gene Kelly and Kenny Ortega. Baz Luhrmann’s segment on reinventing musicals adds contemporary relevancy. Additionally, a fascinating restoration comparison showcases significant visual improvements. Overall, this is an essential gathering of supplements for any cinephile or Coppola enthusiast.
Extras included in this disc:
Francis Ford Coppola Feature Commentary: An enthusiastic solo track by the legendary director.
The Look of One from the Heart: Cinematography and production design insights.
The Cast of One from the Heart: Focuses on the eclectic group of performers.
The Choreography of One from the Heart: Featuring contributions from Kenny Ortega and Gene Kelly.
Reinventing the Musical: Baz Luhrmann on One from the Heart: An analysis by the director of Moulin Rouge.
One from the Heart: Reprise, Restoration Comparison: A split-screen look at the 2003 and 2023 restorations.
2024 Trailer: A teaser for the remastered cut.
The Making of One from the Heart: Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
The Dream Studio: Insights into Coppola's American Zoetrope studio.
The Electronic Cinema: Explores Coppola's innovative filming techniques.
Tom Waits and the Music from One from the Heart: An interview with Tom Waits.
Deleted Scenes: Various scenes that didn’t make it to the final cut.
Videotaped Rehearsals: Raw rehearsal footage.
Francis Ford Coppola Speaks to the Exhibitors: Early pitch to potential buyers.
Press Conference at the Studio: A brief discussion with cast and crew.
This One’s from the Heart Music Video: Music video of the film's main song.
Stop-Motion Demo: Making of the title sequence.
The Tom Waits Score: Alternate Tracks: Audio supplements featuring alternate score tracks.
2003 Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material.
1982 Theatrical Trailer: Initial release trailer.
Movie: 59
Francis Ford Coppola's "One from the Heart" is a visually arresting yet narratively uneven blend of dreamy visuals and romantic fantasy. Filmed entirely on constructed sets, it celebrates the artifice of cinema with a stylized recreation of Las Vegas that's both ambitious and nostalgic. The story follows Hank (Frederic Forrest) and Frannie (Teri Garr), a couple whose breakup leads them to pursue new romantic interests in the vibrant yet illusory world of Vegas on the Fourth of July. Despite the starry cast, including Raul Julia and Nastassja Kinski, and the Oscar-nominated musical contributions by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle, the film struggles to harmonize its unconventional musical numbers with its thin narrative threads.
The film's primary appeal lies in its stunning production design by Dean Tavoularis and evocative cinematography by Vittorio Storaro. The neon-infused sets and Technicolor dreamscapes evoke a whimsical yet palpably artificial atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the grounded reality Coppola aims to infuse into his characters’ relationships. However, the film falters in its character development and storytelling, presenting protagonists who are defined more by their aesthetic surroundings than by any substantial narrative depth. The result is a series of visually captivating yet emotionally disjointed scenes that oscillate between dazzling dance sequences and mundane character interactions.
Coppola’s vision for "One from the Heart" as an innovative homage to classic musicals is both its strength and weakness. The film’s music serves as a narrative backdrop rather than an integral part of the unfolding story, rendering some of the emotional beats less impactful. Despite its uneven execution, "One from the Heart" remains an intriguing piece of cinema history—a testament to Coppola's relentless pursuit of artistic innovation, even at great financial and critical risk. The recent 4K restoration enhances its visual splendor, yet the film’s core issues remain, making it a fascinating yet flawed cinematic experiment.
Total: 80
Francis Ford Coppola’s "One from the Heart" represents a daring yet flawed experiment that straddles the line between musical and narrative film, and despite its commercial shortcomings, it has developed a unique following over four decades. The 4K UHD release from Studiocanal breathes new life into this divisive piece, offering stellar technical quality across both its 4K and 1080p versions. The new Dolby Vision enhances its visually rich palette, while the DTS-HD 5.1 audio track ensures Tom Waits's haunting score sounds exquisite. The supplementary materials, both new and legacy, are robust and provide a comprehensive look into the film’s troubled production history.
The restoration work is commendable, with the 4K visuals appearing superbly detailed and vibrant, even if one cannot ascertain the exact fidelity without prior viewings for comparison. The film’s narrative may falter at times, overshadowed by Coppola’s focus on visual brilliance. Still, it is a captivating spectacle that showcases his eclectic storytelling ambitions. The release also addresses previous technical glitches noted in earlier editions, thus delivering a much-improved cinematic experience.
In conclusion, while "One from the Heart" remains polarizing—with its non-musical musical format and at times lackluster story—this Studiocanal release is a significant win for fans and collectors. Its impressive 4K restoration, combined with a rich array of bonus features, makes it a must-have for Coppola aficionados and those interested in experimental cinema. Consider it a visual and auditory treat that warrants at least one viewing, although it may best suit those already inclined towards this type of avant-garde filmmaking. This edition is available on UK 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray from March 5th.
avforums review by Mark CostelloRead review here
Video: 100
Unfortunately, AVF were only sent two UHD check-discs for this set which I believe is going to be a 4-disc final retail set, comprising of: UHD Disc #1 is a region-free UHD blu-ray featuring the newly...
Audio: 80
The film also boasts a perfectly fine and even grain field throughout – the digital artefacts introduced in previous restorations and buried in the inherent grain structure (as seen on the restoration...
Extras: 90
And the more the film went on, the more switching away from the stereo track back to the surround one just felt wrong – it really did leave the impression that despite its obvious technical abilities,...
Movie: 60
The cast are a huge part of this – alongside Forrest and Garr you have the luminescent Kinski, the hyper masculine and louche Raul Julia, and the deliciously seedy Harry Dean Stanton rocking the most audacious...
Total: 70
The 4K restoration looks sublime – again, having never seen the film, the accuracy of the visuals cannot be confirmed nor denied – and with the inclusion of new supplementals on top of almost all of the...
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 80
The film is awash in old school opticals, especially as it gets more and more convoluted in its third act, and as a result grain can be quite heavy at times, to the point that this is yet another dual...
Audio: 100
Some of the crowd scenes, as in the big Las Vegas strip sequence, also feature good immersion, but the bulk of this film is really quieter dialogue segments and therefore doesn't provide a lot of "wow"...
Extras: 0
2024 Trailer (HD; 1:01) 1080 Disc (1982 Cut) (1:43:07) features the supplements from the first 1080 disc, with some different timings and a few additions: The Making of One From the Heart (HD; 23:21)...
Movie: 60
It's a bit confounding in terms of the verbiage about the negative on the back of this release as well as various running times on both releases of the film, to wit: the original 1080 ran 1:38:54, while...
Total: 70
My first One From the Heart review got an avalanche of responses at the time, and as I joked above, dangled a mystery that was never solved to my personal knowledge, other than to say whatever went wrong...
Blu-ray Authority review by Matt Brighton and Christopher BlighRead review here
Video: 80
This might not hold a candle to some of the modern-day films, but this is absolutely the best the movie has ever looked....
Audio: 70
The dialogue comes out sharp from all channels as well as the background effects and the music comes out better than most sounded movies of the eighties without the occasional muteness....
Extras: 80
It’s looked like a great plan and it was interesting on how Coppola looked to get to the high standards of technology as well as open the art of filmmaking to a wide range of young people including future...
Movie: 0
If it’s one thing I know about Francis Ford Coppola as a director is that he is the master of doing so much with so little and here there were some of those moments in this film, especially in the parallel...
Total: 70
Granted, One from the Heart might not be at the top of everyone’s list, but this new version breathes new life into this classic and we even get a new slew of features....
DoBlu review by Christopher ZabelRead review here
Video: 80
Likely the last major revision to One from the Heart now that Coppola is getting up there in age, this is a satisfying and potent 4K transfer directly supervised by the filmmakers....
Audio: 60
The Oscar-nominated score by Tom Waits is the highlight of One from the Heart’s lively romantic soundtrack, which is mostly a quiet dialogue-driven affair outside of a few boisterous musical scenes....
Extras: 80
The changes between each version are beyond the scope of this review but Movie-Censorship has a nearly complete breakdown.4K UHD:The Look of One from the Heart (17:22 in HD) – Raw, vintage behind-the-scenes...
Movie: 40
There’s also the matter of which edit you catch as Coppola has endlessly tinkered with One from the Heart, having never been satisfied with the largely mediocre results....
Total: 65
A critical and commercial failure, Coppola attempts to reinvent romantic musicals with dismal results...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The lighting goes a long way to show those emotional colors of what the characters are feeling that now with the help of Dolby Vision are allowed to breathe in their lighting conditions or darker interiors...
Audio: 80
The score and song list give life to this film and is easily the best part of the audio track with each note hitting the perfect pitch....
Extras: 80
The Choreography of One From The Heart (HD, 25 Mins.) - Kenny Ortega and Gene Kelly himself worked on the dance numbers for this movie and they are both here in this archival interview discussing their...
Movie: 80
This is a one-of-a-kind movie where one of the biggest directors of all time after the two Godfathers and Apocalypse Now was released, decided to take his own money and make a bizarre musical with nobody...
Total: 80
The two-disc set of 4K and Blu-ray that have the correct video presentations look amazing with its new Dolby Vision....
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
Featuring breathtaking design, show-stopping set pieces, the stunning photography of Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now, The Last Emperor) – and accompanied by the wonderful Oscar®-nominated music of the...
Audio: 80
Height: N/ALow-Frequency Extension: Bass is reserved as it should be for a movie from over 40 years ago....
Extras: 100
The Cast of One from the Heart NEW The Choreography of One from the Heart NEW Reinventing the Musical: Baz Luhrmann One from the Heart NEW One from the Heart: Reprise, Restoration Comparison NEW 2024 TrailerBLU-RAY...
Movie: 60
The music by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle is rather nice, with an easy jazz sound, but the songs aren’t typically romantic either, and sometimes play against the hopefulness we’re supposed to be wanting...
Total: 60
Performances and filmmaking ambitions are better than the material, and this is hard to recommend to casual viewers, but an easy one to recommend to fans of Francis Ford Coppola, musicals or films that...
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Actors: Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Raul Julia
PlotIn Las Vegas, a couple, Hank and Frannie, find themselves on the eve of their fifth anniversary, questioning their relationship and the depth of their love. Their seemingly mundane life is filled with dreams of greater passion and adventure. Frannie yearns for a more romantic and exciting existence, while Hank, a mechanic by trade, is content but struggles to understand Frannie’s desires. Feeling misunderstood and confined by their life together, Frannie decides they should take a break, believing it might rekindle their passion and love for one another. This decision sets them both on individual paths of self-discovery and exploration in the vibrant and neon-lit city.
Throughout the night, as they venture separately through the lively streets of Las Vegas, they encounter new and alluring figures that represent what they believe is missing in their lives. Hank meets Leila, a sultry and adventurous circus performer, who captivates him with her zest for life. Meanwhile, Frannie is swept off her feet by Ray, a suave and charismatic musician, offering her the romance and excitement she craves. As they immerse themselves in these new experiences, both begin to reflect on their relationship and whether these newfound connections can truly replace what they have with each other.
Writers: Armyan Bernstein, Francis Ford Coppola, Luana Anders
Release Date: 11 Feb 1982
Runtime: 107 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, German