The Graduate Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory’s Blu-ray presentation of "The Graduate" is an impressive direct port of Criterion’s esteemed edition, maintaining the same menu and an aspect ratio of approximately 2.37:1, closely mirroring the original theatrical exhibition of 2.35:1. The video is encoded in MPEG-4 AVC with a robust average bitrate of 30420 kbps, significantly surpassing other editions like MGM’s MPEG-2 at 19696 kbps. This encoding excellence is evident in the stunning detail and texture captured throughout the film.

The video quality is outstanding, showcasing breathtaking black levels and contrast that suggest an almost HDR-like depth. The California sun is vividly represented, and the encoding meticulously handles the film's natural grain with minimal chroma noise. The print itself is nearly flawless, with only occasional visible stray hairs, allowing the richness of the film’s detail to shine unobstructed. Close-up shots reveal remarkable definition, maintaining consistent sharpness even in wide shots where precision remains firmly intact.

Color reproduction is where this Blu-ray truly excels. The vibrancy of Braddock’s pool, with its strikingly pure blue set against lush green grass and trees, gives the entire presentation a fresh, new look. Flesh tones are preserved with slight, natural saturation, and primary colors stand out bright and undistorted. This presentation's faithful adherence to the film's original visual tone enhances the viewing experience, making it a top-tier release for enthusiasts and first-time viewers alike.

Criterion's release of "The Graduate" Blu-ray impressively packages both the original monaural and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround remix, bringing versatility to the audio presentation. The LPCM Dual Mono mix at 1152 kbps, 24-bit, retains its fidelity with clarity while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track at 3407 kbps, 24-bit, significantly enhances the iconic soundtrack. Each mix remains faithful to the original audio, but the surround mix has a notable edge for those seeking an immersive experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are also included, catering to a broader audience.

While the original mono track showcases authentic charm, the remixed 5.1 version particularly shines. This track allows the low-end frequencies to draw power from the music, creating a fuller soundstage by subtly incorporating stereo and rear channels. Stereo effects, such as car pans, are intelligent without being overly dramatic, ensuring a balanced auditory experience. Dialogue remains crisp and untainted by age, while the soundtrack’s richness is accentuated, making it arguably the definitive audio experience for "The Graduate." Additionally, language dubs in German, French, and Spanish are included via DTS-HD MA 5.1 and LPCM Dual Mono tracks on the SC release.

In summary, Criterion's attention to audio fidelity in "The Graduate" Blu-ray captures the film’s timeless allure. Both audio options serve different listening preferences, with purists likely favoring the mono track for its nostalgic authenticity while modern audiophiles will appreciate the depth and spatial enhancement of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround remix.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Graduate" present a comprehensive and thoroughly curated collection that will delight film enthusiasts and scholars alike. The dual commentary tracks, featuring a conversation between Mike Nichols and Steven Soderbergh and insights from film scholar Howard Suber, provide deep analyses from both practitioner and academic perspectives. Several interviews include an in-depth 38-minute session with Dustin Hoffman, a conversation with producer Lawrence Turman and screenwriter Buck Henry, and significant contributions from Bobbie O'Steen regarding editor Sam O'Steen's work. Additional features include a short 2007 documentary on the film's influence, a retrospective from the 25th anniversary, vintage TV segments such as Barbara Walters' 1966 interview with Nichols, and even an excerpt from singer-songwriter Paul Simon on "The Dick Cavett Show." Screen tests and trailers further enhance the value of this robust offering.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring Mike Nichols & Steven Soderbergh
• Audio Commentary: Featuring Professor Howard Suber
• Interview: With Actor Dustin Hoffman
• Conversation: Between Producer Lawrence Turman and Screenwriter Buck Henry
• Interview: With Bobbie O'Steen about Editor Sam O'Steen's Work
• Students of The Graduate: Short Documentary on the Film's Influence
• The Graduate at 25: Retrospective Featurette
• Interview: Barbara Walters with Mike Nichols (1966)
• Excerpt: Paul Simon on "The Dick Cavett Show"
• Screen Tests
• Trailer

Shout Select's re-release of Mike Nichols's The Graduate (1967) as part of The Anne Bancroft Collection encapsulates a pivotal generational commentary, underscored by nuanced cinematographic choices. Returning from an East Coast college, Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) finds himself in Los Angeles, pressured by his parents and family friends to join conventional industries like "plastics." This dispassionate suggestion juxtaposes sharply with the liberal, rebellious climate of the city. Symbolized by Braddock's disinterest and clumsy escape, the film delineates a stark divide between the baby boomer generation and their offspring, emphasizing the disconnection through visual metaphors such as Ben's isolation in a wetsuit, oblivious to the conservative chatter around him.

Integral to The Graduate's narrative is its candid treatment of sexuality. Braddock's affair with Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) disrupts the prevailing puritanical norms, ushering him into adulthood, much like Nichols artfully depicts the broader cultural shift underway. The film's inaugural line, "We’re about to begin our descent to Los Angeles," subtly foreshadows both the personal and societal transformations in store. Despite reaching their twenties, Braddock and Elaine (Mrs. Robinson’s daughter) are woefully underprepared for adulthood, a testament to their outdated upbringing which left them naïve and ill-equipped to navigate modern complexities.

A climactic moment arrives when Elaine ditches her fiancé at the altar for Braddock, culminating in a fraught elopement. Here Nichols masterfully employs religious symbolism as Braddock wields a cross to block furious relatives, illustrating the waning grip of these fossilized values over his generation. Their subsequent bus ride, transitioning from exuberant to somber, encapsulates the uncertainty and disillusionment pervasive in an era grappling with racial tensions, war, and shifting gender paradigms. Through these rich visual and narrative layers, The Graduate remains an astute reflection on the tumultuous journey from youth to adulthood amidst evolving sociocultural landscapes.

The Graduate has rightfully earned its place as a key piece of American cinema, encapsulating the 1960s with flawless precision. The Blu-ray presentation brings the film's profound themes and narrative to life in a way that’s both engaging and technically impressive. Details such as cinematography, color grading, and sound mixing are meticulously preserved, making this edition a must-have for both new viewers and long-time fans of the classic. The quality of the restoration is immediately noticeable, with sharp visuals and crisp audio that breathe new life into this timeless film.

The Blu-ray release offers insightful bonus material that enriches the viewing experience. Interviews, featurettes, and behind-the-scenes footage ensure that fans gain a comprehensive understanding of the movie's historical context and production nuances. An absence of pamphlets may be noted, but the depth and breadth of digital extras more than compensate. Critics and viewers consistently praise this edition's ability to maintain the film's original artistic integrity while leveraging modern technology for enhancement.

Shout's inclusion of the Criterion disc into The Anne Bancroft Collection is a real deal-breaker for many collectors. If you just bought the individual release of the Criterion, you'd be spending 42 percent of the current retail market value of the actress' eight-film box set. The only item not included in the Shout is an essay by journalist and critic Frank Rich. (That package doesn't encompass one of Criterion's meaty booklets.) So if you enjoy at least some of the other Bancroft movies, then this set is definitely worth your investment. True fans will also want to have Studio Canal's 50th Anniversary Edition. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.