Mister Johnson Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of Mister Johnson showcases an exemplary 1080p HD transfer, maintaining the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Derived from a meticulous 4K digital transfer using the ARRISCAN film scanner and sourced from the original 35mm camera negative, this presentation has undergone significant restoration. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, and splices have been manually removed using MTI's DRS, while Digital Vision’s Phoenix managed grain, noise, flicker, and jitter. This restoration work ensures the film looks pristine, free from any noticeable damage or artifacts, and presents with exceptional stability.

The color grading, supervised by director Bruce Beresford, brings out a lush period-specific yellow tint that permeates the movie, beautifully enhancing the visual narrative. Sharpness and detail are remarkable, from close-up shots that reveal intricate facial features and costume textures to wide shots that maintain clarity without softness. Contrast levels are consistent and appropriately balanced throughout the film. Black levels are deep and satisfying, while skin tones remain accurate and natural. The layer of grain is finely resolved and steady, adding to the filmic texture without introducing any degraining or sharpening artifacts. This seamless integration of grain ensures a true-to-original viewing experience.

Overall, Criterion’s transfer hits high marks in both technical execution and aesthetic presentation. With no noticeable compression issues, this 25-year-old film appears rejuvenated and radiant. This Blu-ray release is poised to be the definitive visual presentation of Mister Johnson, making it an essential acquisition for cinephiles and archivists alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Mister Johnson" features a singular audio track presented in English LPCM 2.0, accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles. This lossless audio format delivers exceptional clarity and depth, serving the modest yet effective sound design of the film. While the dynamic range is not expansive, Georges Delerue's soundtrack is notable during select sequences, enhancing the film's atmosphere organically. One of the key strengths of this track lies in its pristine dialogue reproduction, which is consistently crisp and clear, devoid of any pops, cracks, audio dropouts, or digital distortions.

Additionally, the soundtrack excels in its balance and layering of sound effects and ambient noises, ensuring a well-rounded audio experience that is perfectly suited for the narrative’s demands. Directionality is commendable, providing precise placement and movement of sounds that support the film’s setting without overshadowing the main audio elements. Overall, while the LPCM 2.0 track may not offer a fully immersive surround sound experience akin to modern action films, it effectively meets and exceeds expectations for a drama of this nature.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mister Johnson" offer an insightful and comprehensive exploration of the film’s production and themes through a series of enlightening interviews. Director Bruce Beresford delves into the challenges faced during the Nigerian shoot, the film's warm visual style, and nuanced themes. Producer Michael Fitzgerald provides context on how Bruce Beresford was brought on board and discusses casting choices notably including Maynard Eziashi. Eziashi himself sheds light on his preparation for the lead role and his dynamic with the director. Pierce Brosnan reflects on his unique experience filming in Nigeria and praises Beresford’s meticulous direction. Additionally, the original trailer and an essay by film critic Neil Sinyard add further depth to this remarkable release.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bruce Beresford: Discusses challenges, unique look, themes, and actor contributions.
• Michael Fitzgerald: Details the project’s inception, collaboration, and casting.
• Maynard Eziashi: Shares casting process, character prep, and on-set experiences.
• Pierce Brosnan: Reflects on filming in Nigeria and Beresford’s directing style.
• Trailer: Original trailer for "Mister Johnson."
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring Neil Sinyard's essay "Off the Beaten Track."

Bruce Beresford's "Mister Johnson" (1990) brings Joyce Cary's 1939 novel to life with a poignant and critique-laden narrative centered around colonial Nigeria. Maynard Eziashi delivers a compelling performance as Mister Johnson, an educated black man who initially feels privileged under British rule. His journey working under the strict district officer Harry Rudbeck, portrayed meticulously by Pierce Brosnan, epitomizes the complexities and perils of colonial administration. While Rudbeck ambitiously aims to build a connecting road to stimulate economic growth, Johnson's unwise decisions and growing power lead to his downfall, captured vividly through altercations and personal losses.

The film’s thematic exploration underscores the inherent flaws in imposing a foreign system of values on another culture, as seen through Johnson’s tragic transformation. His intense embrace of the English identity backfires, leading to a dangerous personal and societal crisis. This is heightened by his internalized discrimination and the subsequent alienation from both English officials and local tribal leaders. The narrative powerfully parallels modern political dynamics, suggesting that similar power imbalances persist in contemporary geopolitics.

Shot on location in Nigeria, "Mister Johnson" benefits from Peter James' cinematographic excellence, utilizing special reflectors to craft a distinct warm yellow visual tone that immerses viewers in its historical context. Complementing the visuals, Georges Delerue's orchestral score enriches the period setting, adding depth to this already layered film. Criterion’s Blu-ray release does justice to this significant work with restored visual quality and substantial supplemental features, including insightful interviews and a revealing essay by Neil Sinyard, making it an essential acquisition for cinephiles and scholars alike.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Mister Johnson" is both a technical and artistic triumph, providing viewers with a richly textured visual and auditory experience. Utilizing a brand-new 4K restoration, the video presentation is exceptionally sharp and vibrant, preserving the intricate details and the atmospheric essence of Bruce Beresford's direction. The audio quality is equally impressive, ensuring that viewers are fully immersed in the film's nuanced soundscape.

The film itself is a compelling narrative executed superbly by its cast. Maynard Eziash delivers a standout performance as the ambitious clerk, Mister Johnson, whose unwavering enthusiasm in the face of colonial oppression is both captivating and unsettling. The film delves deep into the complex dynamics of colonial imposition, reflecting how externally imposed values can irrevocably alter an individual's destiny.

Accompanying the main feature are interviews that provide valuable insights into the film’s production and thematic depth. These interviews are highly engaging and add substantial value to an already impressive release. Criterion’s meticulous attention to detail in both the restoration and supplementary materials makes this release an essential addition to any film enthusiast’s collection.

I found Mister Johnson's enthusiasm both admirable and unsettling at the same time. In a way, it is just as damaging as the system of values that has been imposed on his country and his people, and therefore his downfall is hardly surprising. The film is wonderfully directed by Bruce Beresford, and Maynard Eziash is very convincing as the ambitious clerk. Criterion's upcoming release of Mister Johnson is sourced from a brand new 4K restoration, which I think is every bit as impressive as the one that was done for Bruce Beresford's Breaker Morant. RECOMMENDED.