Something Wild Blu-ray Review
Score: 77
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Criterion's beautifully restored 'Something Wild' (1961) Blu-ray, featuring insightful extras and superb 2K visuals, highlights a nearly forgotten American classic.
Disc Release Date
Video: 78
Criterion's 2K transfer of 'Something Wild' on Blu-ray, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, offers a remarkable improvement over the previous DVD release, exhibiting superior depth, stability, shadow detail, and grayscale balance in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, making the film appear the best it has since its 1961 premiere.
Audio: 78
The Blu-ray of 'Something Wild' features a remastered English LPCM 1.0 track that significantly enhances Aaron Copland's score with improved stability and depth. Criterion's meticulous restoration removed clicks, thumps, hiss, and crackle. The lossless mix offers crisp audio and intelligible dialogue, capturing bustling New York ambiance effectively.
Extra: 76
Criterion's Blu-ray extras for 'Something Wild' offer enriching insights: Director Jack Garfein and critic Kim Morgan dissect the movie's origins, significant transformations, and reappraisals; actress Carroll Baker reflects on her career-defining roles; scholar Foster Hirsch explores Method Acting's profound impact on American cinema; and Garfein's master class provides practical acting techniques—all complemented by Sheila O'Malley's in-depth essay.
Movie: 76
Criterion’s Blu-ray release of Jack Garfein’s 'Something Wild' rejuvenates this harrowing drama, notable for its method acting, haunting score by Aaron Copland, and the unfiltered emotional depth exhibited by Carroll Baker and Ralph Meeker, set against the raw, authentic backdrop of 1960s New York City.
Video: 78
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC on a BD-50 disc, the Blu-ray release of "Something Wild" from Criterion Collection features a remarkable 1080p transfer. Utilizing a DFT Scanity film scanner, the new digital transfer was executed in 2K resolution from the 35mm original camera negative. The meticulous restoration process involved the manual removal of thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps using MTI Film's DRS, while Digital Vision's Phoenix was employed for jitter, flicker, small dirt, grain, and noise management. The monaural soundtrack was remastered with Pro Tools HD and iZotope RX to eliminate clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle.
The quality of this Blu-ray transfer is nothing short of exceptional. Compared to the previous MGM on-demand DVD release, the improvements are immediately noticeable. The depth and stability of the image have been dramatically enhanced. Nighttime scenes and darker indoor footage showcase significantly better detail and shadow definition, revealing nuances previously obscured. The grayscale balance has seen a marked improvement, offering a richer and more authentic cinematic experience. While some segments feature momentary density fluctuations, these are inherent to the original cinematography and not a flaw of the transfer. Retained film grain appears natural and is free from any smeary artifacts, and there are no noticeable issues with over-sharpening. This meticulous restoration ensures the film looks the best it has since its 1961 premiere.
Overall, this Blu-ray release is an outstanding visual presentation by Criterion. Minor remnants of dirt remain, but they are scarcely noticeable and do not detract from the overall experience. The transfer props up the film's vintage aesthetic while delivering a crisp and detailed image that will satisfy both cinephiles and casual viewers alike.
Audio: 78
The Blu-ray release of "Something Wild" features a single standard audio track: English LPCM 1.0, with optional English SDH subtitles provided for the main feature. Unlike its DVD predecessor, which often rendered Aaron Copland’s complex score thin and plagued by stability issues in the mid/upper registers, the lossless audio format on the Blu-ray offers much needed depth and stability. Notably, hiss and crackle have been significantly minimized, enhancing the overall audio experience.
In restoring the monaural soundtrack, Criterion meticulously remastered it from the 35mm original soundtrack negative. Using advanced tools such as Pro Tools HD and iZotope RX, Criterion manually removed clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle. The LPCM Mono track successfully preserves the bustling ambiance of New York streets and crowd noise, presenting a crisp and clear mix. Dialogue is generally intelligible throughout the film, and Copland’s score robustly occupies the front channels during musical crescendos. The restored track exhibits minimal anomalies, providing a superior auditory experience that complements the film’s dynamic score. Criterion’s inclusion of optional English SDH subtitles further ensures accessibility for all viewers.
Extras: 76
The extras on the "Something Wild" Blu-ray release by Criterion offer an in-depth exploration into the film's creation and significant contextual insights into the director’s career and the cultural landscape of American cinema during the late '40s and '50s. Jack Garfein’s segment provides personal anecdotes about his influential career redirection by Lee Strasberg, interactions with notable figures like James Dean and Elia Kazan, and insightful commentary on Carroll Baker's transformation. Carroll Baker, in her separate interview, delves into beginning her film career, her pivotal roles, and notable collaborations. Foster Hirsch’s discussion emphasizes the enormous impact of the Actors Studio and Method Acting on American cinema, spotlighting transformative actors and Garfein’s directorial style. Additional content includes a master class by Garfein showcasing techniques to aspiring actors, complemented by an essay from critic Sheila O'Malley.
Extras included in this disc:
- Jack Garfein Interview: Recollection of career redirection, collaborations, and character studies.
- Carroll Baker Interview: Insights into entry into film industry and key roles.
- Behind the Method: Exploration of Method Acting’s impact on American cinema.
- Master Class with Jack Garfein: Footage from a 2014 acting class featuring Garfein's techniques.
- Leaflet: Illustrated essay by critic Sheila O’Malley.
Movie: 76
Jack Garfein’s "Something Wild" emerges as a seminal piece of cinema, accentuated by its unflinching exploration of post-traumatic stress and methodical emotional depth. Carroll Baker's portrayal of Mary Ann Robinson is profoundly impactful, delineating a harrowing journey from a vibrant college student to a psychologically scarred individual following a brutal rape. The transformation in Mary Ann’s character showcases Baker’s remarkable ability to embody diverse emotional states without altering her core identity. This character arc is underscored by Eugen Schüfftan's compelling cinematography, which transforms New York City into an almost sentient presence influencing Mary Ann's descent into despair and eventual recovery.
The narrative deftly pivots when Mary Ann, on the brink of suicide, is saved by Mike (Ralph Meeker), whose seemingly benevolent intentions gradually reveal darker undertones. Confined to Mike's claustrophobic basement apartment, Mary Ann faces a series of intense confrontations that further unravel the complexities of her trauma and resilience. The film’s focus on natural emotional evolution over structured plot progression enhances its authenticity, reminiscent of works from directors associated with the Dogme movement.
Garfein’s direction, influenced heavily by his collaboration with The Actors Studio and Lee Strasberg’s method acting principles, imbues the film with raw and unfiltered performances. The dialogues are sharp and unrelenting, similar to the gritty realism characteristic of Sidney Lumet's work. Additionally, Aaron Copland’s haunting score envelops the film in an atmospheric tension, amplifying the psychological undercurrents. The blend of unyielding dialogue and method acting culminates in a slice of poignant and immersive cinema, remarkable for its time. Criterion’s release reintroduces this forgotten classic, serving as an essential study in both character-driven storytelling and method acting execution.
Total: 77
Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "Something Wild" (1961) stands as a notable restoration of a significant yet underappreciated film in American cinema. Directed by Jack Garfein, this film captures the zeitgeist of the early American independent film movement much like Lumet's adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night". The meticulous 2K restoration, supervised by Garfein himself, ensures the film's visuals now demonstrate a striking clarity, enriching the viewing experience immensely.
The Blu-ray presentation is complemented with solid audio quality and an assortment of valuable extras. Noteworthy among these is an interview with film scholar Foster Hirsch, who provides an in-depth analysis and fascinating historical context, shedding light on the film's place in cinema history. These supplementary materials elevate the package, offering both novice viewers and seasoned cinephiles extensive insights into Garfein's unique cinematic approach.
In conclusion, Jack Garfein's "Something Wild" would likely earn its place as a masterpiece if it had influenced American cinema to the extent the French New Wave did. Criterion has resurrected this lost classic beautifully, allowing it to be appreciated in its full glory for the first time in decades. Very highly recommended.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 100
Frankly, there are entire sections that look flat and fuzzy on the DVD release, while on the Blu-ray release there is depth and fine nuances that give the film a vastly different cinematic ambience....
Audio: 100
On the DVD release the music rarely makes an impression because the sound is frequently too 'thin' and there are some stability issues in the mid/upper registers....
Extras: 80
Behind the Method - in this new video interview, scholar Foster Hirsch discusses the enormous impact the Actors Studio had on American cinema during the late 1940s and 1950s and the three actors whose...
Movie: 80
It begins rebelling and after a while it actually turns against her, punishing her with an onslaught of maddening ideas, uncontrollable anxiety, and a suffocating sense of guilt....
Total: 90
Jack Garfein's Something Wild would have been considered a masterpiece of American cinema if the style it promotes would have evolved and matured in the same manner the French New Wave did....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
This new HD transfer by Criterion blows the MOD disc out of the water with a nearly perfect transfer....
Audio: 80
Criterion also provides notes about the audio restoration: "The monaural soundtrack was remastered from the 35mm original soundtrack negative....
Extras: 80
'Behind the Method,' a new interview with scholar Foster Hirsch on the Actors Studio’s cinematic legacy (20:56, HD): historian Hirsch delves into origins of Method Acting and why 'Something Wild' should...
Movie: 80
Baker portrays Mary Ann Robinson, a college student who late one night while walking home from school, is attacked and raped by a male assailant lurking in the bushes....
Total: 80
Criterion has brought a lost classic to Blu-ray that was one of the earliest examples of the American independent film movement....
Director: Jack Garfein
Actors: Carroll Baker, Ralph Meeker, Mildred Dunnock
PlotA young woman named Mary Ann Robinson, a college student living in New York City, suffers a traumatic event that leaves her emotionally scarred. After being assaulted, she withdraws from her previous life, becoming distant and detached from her family and friends. She drops out of school and moves into a small, rundown apartment in a desperate attempt to escape her past and start anew. The trauma haunts her, leading her to question her own identity and sanity. She wanders the city streets aimlessly, driven by an overwhelming sense of isolation and despair.
During this period of turmoil, Mary Ann encounters a seemingly kind mechanic named Mike who offers her assistance and shelter when she is at her most vulnerable. Grateful yet wary, she gradually begins to trust him, and Mike's behavior oscillates between nurturing and controlling. As their relationship becomes increasingly complex, Mary Ann's struggle to reclaim her life intensifies. Her quest for independence intersects with Mike's own needs and desires, leading to a tense exploration of power dynamics and human connection.
Word Count: 184
Writers: Jack Garfein, Alex Karmel
Release Date: 01 Jan 1962
Runtime: 113 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: United States
Language: English