The Last Emperor 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Criterion's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of The Last Emperor offers a visually stunning presentation that showcases the full potential of the film’s cinematography. The 4K restoration, framed in its proper 2.39:1 aspect ratio, is exceptionally impressive, particularly when viewed with Dolby Vision HDR. The film's visuals are enhanced with superb density levels and fluidity that bring a new depth to the intricate details and textures in each scene. Shadow definition has been notably improved, delivering a superior sense of depth, especially in darker sequences. The high bitrates, averaging around 75mbps, ensure an excellent viewing experience, even if slightly lower than the Turbine Medien release. Overall, the color reproduction is fantastic, with vibrantly balanced primaries and healthy flesh tones.

The use of Dolby Vision HDR further accentuates the striking contrasts between Pu Yi's early vibrant years and his later darker periods. Key scenes such as the expansive courtyard shots and elaborate ceremonial costumes display remarkable detail and clarity, showcasing why Vittorio Storaro won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Black levels are perfectly handled, offering deep, inky tones with excellent shadow separation, critical for conveying the film’s moodier moments. Whites remain crisp and brilliant without any blooming, maintaining image stability throughout. Despite minor limitations compared to other releases like Turbine Medien, this disc still stands as a remarkable transfer with no visible encoding anomalies.

While the TV Version included in this combo pack underperforms compared to the dazzling Theatrical Cut, it remains a preferable option over previous Blu-ray releases thanks to its modest improvements. However, the 4K UHD Theatrical Cut is undeniably the centerpiece here, delivering an immersive and rejuvenated viewing experience of a classic film. The careful attention to video quality ensures that every frame of The Last Emperor retains its cinematic grandeur and historic significance.

The audio presentation of "The Last Emperor" on 4K UHD Blu Ray is exceptionally well-handled, featuring both English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. Both audio tracks come with optional English SDH subtitles that appear inside the image frame, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track showcases rich dynamic contrasts and remarkable nuances that often pleasantly surprise viewers who might expect limitations from a 2.0 channel format. This lossless track performs admirably, preserving the original sound design without any anomalies.

For those looking for a more immersive experience, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is a standout choice. It excels in creating a spacious and enveloping soundscape that significantly enhances key audio effects, dialogue, and the Oscar-winning score by Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Byrne, and Cong Su. Whether it’s the expansive parade scenes filled with hundreds of extras or the intense, confined moments during Pu Yi's reeducation period, the 5.1 mix captures every detail with precision. The additional channels in the 5.1 mix bring a palpably lively dimension to the audio presentation, making the overall viewing experience deeply engaging and immersive.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "The Last Emperor" excels in its extensive array of bonus features, offering a rich and thorough exploration of the film’s production and historical context. Highlighting the archival audio commentary with Bernardo Bertolucci, Jeremy Thomas, Mark Peploe, and Ryuichi Sakamoto, this collection provides in-depth insights and trivia that are highly informative. The documentary "The Italian Traveler, Bernardo Bertolucci" thoroughly examines the director's influences, focusing notably on "The Last Emperor". Other notable inclusions such as "Postcards from China" and "Bernardo Bertolucci’s Chinese Adventure" provide valuable behind-the-scenes perspectives. Additionally, interviews with key contributors including composer David Byrne and cultural historian Ian Buruma enrich the historical and creative narrative. This set is an essential compilation for enthusiasts seeking to delve deeper into the making and impact of this iconic film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring Bernardo Bertolucci, Jeremy Thomas, Mark Peploe, and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
• The Italian Traveler, Bernardo Bertolucci: Documentary on the geographic influences in Bertolucci's work.
• Postcards From China: Raw footage from Bertolucci’s 1985 trip to China.
• Bernardo Bertolucci’s Chinese Adventure: Documentary on the production of the film.
• Making The Last Emperor: Interviews with key production personnel.
• The Southbank Show: Archival episode focusing on the conception and production of the film.
• David Byrne: Interview with the composer on his contributions.
• Beyond the Forbidden City: Ian Buruma discusses China's history impacting Pu Yi's life.
• The Late Show: Face to Face: Interview with Bertolucci post-Oscar win.
• Trailer: Vintage trailer for "The Last Emperor".

Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor is a visually stunning and deeply nuanced historical epic that chronicles the life of Pu Yi, the final monarch of the Qing Dynasty, from his early coronation at the Forbidden City to his ultimate reeducation under Mao's regime. The film meticulously captures the intimate struggles of Pu Yi, portrayed with remarkable depth by John Lone, as he navigates through the tidal waves of political revolution and personal transformation. Lone’s performance, alongside Tsou Tijger and Tao Wu’s portrayals of young Pu Yi, provides an unflinchingly human aspect to the intricate political backdrop. These performances are bolstered by Joan Chen’s compelling depiction of Wan Jung and Peter O’Toole’s masterful yet understated turn as British mentor Reginald Johnston.

Despite Bertolucci’s passionate Marxist perspective, The Last Emperor remains a balanced critique of absolute power, grounded in its lush cinematography by Vittorio Storaro and a screenplay co-written with Mark Peploe. The visual splendor, notably enriched by being the first Western production allowed to shoot in the Forbidden City, never overshadows the profound human drama at its core. The film gracefully balances historical accuracy with narrative flow, presenting a poignant portrayal of Pu Yi’s controversial decisions amidst colonial and communist turmoil.

The film is available in both a theatrical cut (164 min) and an extended TV version (218 min), each offering unique perspectives on Pu Yi’s life. The theatrical cut maintains a steady tempo suitable for its episodic structure, while the extended version delves deeper into Pu Yi's childhood and political intricacies, albeit at the expense of the intimate tone. Overall, The Last Emperor stands as a complex tapestry of historical and personal struggle, brought to vivid life through Bertolucci’s unparalleled direction and a cast that fully embodies the era's dramatic shifts.

Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor arrives in a stunning 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that presents the film with extraordinary visual clarity. This new release features a pristine 4K restoration of the Theatrical Cut, maintaining the original theatrical aspect ratio and bringing to life every intricate detail and vibrant hue of this historical epic. The package also includes the much more extensive TV version that was previously absent from Criterion's original Blu-ray release. The Dolby Vision transfer offers impeccable visual quality, ensuring that both the grandeur and the subtlety of Bertolucci's vision are fully realized.

From a technical perspective, the audio performance, although limited to a DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix, remains faithful to the original sound design. It is not the 5.1 surround experience that some may hope for, but the audio retains clarity and depth, complementing the film's visuals effectively. Furthermore, this edition stands out due to its generous array of bonus features, totaling nearly five hours of engaging content including commentaries and an extended cut. These extras provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look and enrich the viewing experience for both new audiences and long-time admirers.

In conclusion, this release is a visual triumph, capturing the essence of one of cinema's most ambitious historical dramas. Criterion’s offering is an invaluable addition for collectors and film enthusiasts alike, delivering both remarkable cinematic quality and substantial supplementary materials. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.