The Long Day Closes Blu-ray Review

The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of "The Long Day Closes" presents Terence Davies' masterpiece in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a meticulously crafted 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. The video transfer, supervised by the filmmakers Terence Davies and Michael Coulter, originates from a 2K digital scan of the original 35mm interpositive. This careful restoration process ensures that the film’s distinct visual aesthetic, including the intentional ‘bleach bypass’ effect used to intensify contrast and desaturate colors, is faithfully preserved. The high-definition transfer impressively replicates the film’s nuanced darkness, with consistently pleasing detail and impeccable image stability.

One of the most notable features of this transfer is its treatment of grain. Enhanced by the original lenses and filters used during filming, the grain adds a layer of authenticity and texture that complements the film's visual narrative. The clarity and detail are particularly striking in close-up shots, maintaining balanced skin tones and refined color grading – notably the subtle gold hues that permeate many scenes. Contrast levels are handled meticulously, with deep, rich blacks enhancing the overall presentation. Night scenes, such as the New Year’s Eve segment, showcase impressive high contrast and detail, affirming this transfer's capability to highlight the nuances of Davies' vision. While there are minor fluctuations in clarity and density, these elements appear deliberate and contribute to the film’s atmospheric quality.

This Blu-ray release eschews any problematic degraining or sharpening corrections, ensuring that the visual integrity remains intact. Tiny imperfections like occasional flecks are minimal and do not detract from the overall viewing experience. Offering a clean, detailed, and dynamic presentation, this transfer is poised to stand as the definitive home video version of "The Long Day Closes," providing a richer and more immersive experience of Davies’ evocative cinematography.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "The Long Day Closes" features an English LPCM 2.0 audio track, supplemented by optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. This configuration provides a richly diverse and lush soundtrack that firmly benefits from its lossless treatment. Music, both original and compiled sound clips, emerges as exceptionally rich and well-rounded, often serving as a unique storytelling element that evokes distinct atmospheres. Natural sounds and background noises are incredibly precise, while dialog maintains clarity, crispness, and easy comprehensibility throughout.

The LPCM 2.0 audio track truly excels in providing a supple and immersive audial experience. Dialogue remains consistently clear and well-balanced against other sound elements, notably the film’s musical score and curated tracks by Davies. This meticulous balance enhances the portrayal of various environments, whether it's the enveloping ambience of classrooms, the resonant acoustics of churches, or the lively echoes of swimming pools, each setting is vividly brought to life. The lossless mix adeptly amplifies what was already high-quality audio without any noted issues—testament to the robustness of its source material.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Long Day Closes" present a remarkable suite of in-depth, informative content, excellently curated to enhance the viewer’s understanding of Terence Davies' film. The collection includes a range of insightful interviews, a compelling television episode, and commentaries that provide an intimate look into the production process, the thematic essence, and the historical backdrop of Davies’ work. Each piece offers a thoughtful exploration into various facets of the film, from the directorial vision to the practicalities of set design and production challenges. This comprehensive set not only enriches the viewing experience but also serves as an invaluable resource for film scholars and enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for The Long Day Closes.
• Christopher Hobbs: Interview with production designer discussing sets and effects.
• The South Bank Show: 1992 episode with Terence Davies discussing childhood, film, and more.
• Colin MacCabe: Interview with film critic on the production history and funding challenges.
• Commentary: Audio commentary by Terence Davies and Michael Coulter from 2007.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet featuring Michael Koresky's essay on Terence Davies.

Terence Davies' The Long Day Closes (1992), now available on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion, is a masterful film that immerses viewers in the intimate world of its young protagonist, Bud. Through Leigh McCormack's poignant performance, the film offers a deeply emotional and impressionistic portrayal of a boy's life in working-class Liverpool during the 1950s. The narrative structure is unconventional, eschewing a traditional plot for a collection of fragmented childhood memories. This approach resonates profoundly, as it captures the fluid, often chaotic nature of memory itself.

Visually, the film is extraordinary. Cinematographer Michael Coulter leverages a 'bleach bypass' process, which enhances contrast while desaturating colors to create a raw and gritty atmosphere reminiscent of classic British 'kitchen-sink' dramas. The film’s aesthetic uniquely blends this grittiness with the lyrical fluidity of psychedelic cinema, all the while capturing the stark yet poignant beauty of 1950s Liverpool. Employing a limited palette of cold and desaturated colors, Coulter and Davies create a richly atmospheric experience that draws viewers into Bud's dual worlds—one rooted in harsh reality, the other in vibrant, escapist fantasies.

Sound plays an equally vital role in The Long Day Closes. The film's soundtrack is intricately woven into the narrative, using music not as mere accompaniment but as the foundation for many scenes. Songs and sound clips expertly underscore Bud’s emotional growth and evolving perceptions. In notable moments devoid of dialogue, Davies masterfully uses light, shadow, and brief musical punctuations to convey Bud's internal landscape. This fusion of immaculate visuals and evocative soundscapes makes The Long Day Closes an indelible cinematic experience that transcends conventional storytelling to evoke the profound depth of Davies' autobiographical musings.

"The Long Day Closes," directed by Terence Davies, is an extraordinarily intimate and profound exploration of the filmmaker's own childhood experiences. This film, which serves as a deeply personal sequel to Davies' acclaimed "Distant Voices, Still Lives," stands out for its ability to evoke universal emotions from very specific moments. Davies' masterful storytelling undeniably parallels the unique visual poetry of Britain’s answer to Terrence Malick, presenting a sensory journey that is as universally relatable as it is singularly personal.

The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray release of "The Long Day Closes" amplifies the film’s emotional and visual impact through a meticulous transfer that preserves the director's distinct aesthetic. The stunning visual quality and pristine sound design enhance the film’s atmospheric depth, making each viewing an immersive experience. In addition to the film itself, the Blu-ray offers insightful extras that shed light on Davies’ creative process and enrich the overall understanding of this beautifully crafted narrative.

In conclusion, I think it is fair to say that Terence Davies is Britain's best answer to Terrence Malick. His films have a very unique look and style that cannot be imitated. "The Long Day Closes," now available on a gorgeous Blu-ray release from Criterion, should make fans of his work very happy. Buy with confidence, folks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.