Kramer vs. Kramer Blu-ray Review

Sony's transfer of "Kramer vs. Kramer" to Blu-ray in a widescreen 1.85:1, 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 presentation superbly conveys the film's original cinematic quality, striking an exquisite balance between preserving the film’s innate grain structure and enhancing clarity. The meticulous digital cleanup results in an image free from dust or damage, retaining a fresh and pristine appearance that mirrors a high-quality 35mm print. Colour rendition stays true to the film's era, with natural, albeit slightly Hollywood-glamorized skin tones, and a disciplined approach to colour saturation that respects the film’s dramatic and relational depth. The black levels are profoundly solid, contributing to the visual depth seen right from the opening scene with Meryl Streep.

The visual presentation maintains the characteristic texture and warmth of 1970s film stock, avoiding digital pitfalls such as over-compression or excessive sharpening. This respectful digital rendition preserves the filmic grain in a way that feels natural and unobtrusive, aligning closely with directorial intent and offering a nuanced depiction of the era’s aesthetic. Detail in close-ups, fabrics, and landscapes is discernibly fine, allowing for a visual experience that is both immersive and authentic to the original viewing experience in 1979. This commitment to authenticity extends to the colour palette; muted yet not faded, reflecting the film’s wintertime setting with occasional bursts of colour for visual interest.

Sony's efforts in translating "Kramer vs. Kramer" to Blu-ray epitomize the ideal of bringing classic cinema into the modern digital age without sacrificing the original textural and aesthetic qualities that define a film. This release demonstrates a laudable achievement in video preservation and presentation, offering an exemplary model for treating cinematic classics with the technological reverence they deserve. The attention to detail ensures a video experience that not only rivals but in some aspects surpasses, the original celluloid presentation, underlining Blu-ray’s potential to rejuvenate and enliven classic films for new generations of viewers.

The English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track for "Kramer vs. Kramer" on Blu-ray meticulously preserves the film's dialogue-driven essence, ensuring that the emotionally charged performances of its lead characters are front and center, crystal clear, and resonant. Dialogue, whether whispered or forthright, retains an excellent clarity that foregoes any need to adjust volume controls, delivering every emotional nuance directly from the center channel. Despite the track's focus on front channel sound distribution, where most of the auditory experience resides, subtle yet effective use of stereo separation and gentle ambient sounds placed in the rear channels add immersion without overwhelming the key audio elements. The soundtrack's treatment of Frederic Hand’s guitar pieces and selections from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons through the front stereo channels underscores scenes with an intimate yet full-bodied audio presentation, enriching the film's atmosphere without detracting from its narrative focus.

Noteworthy is how the TrueHD track manages to provide a nuanced soundscape with minimal use of the surround channels, opting instead for a presentation that respects the film’s original monoaural intentions while subtly enhancing its ambient and musical elements. Seamless pans between channels and crisp sound effects, like footsteps or the clanking of silverware, inject life into scenes with understated precision. This careful distribution ensures that dialogues remain the vocal point, supported by an enveloping musical score that breathes life into quieter scenes. Despite these enhancements, the audio presentation remains faithful to the film's late seventies milieu, enveloping viewers in a soundstage that, while not dynamically challenging, is impeccably balanced and free of artificiality.

Overall, this Blu-ray’s Dolby TrueHD audio mix excels in delivering an authentic auditory experience that complements the film's narrative strength. Its restrained but effective use of ambient sounds and music across the 5.1 channels ensures a respectful upgrade to modern sound standards without sacrificing the intimate feel of the original production. This careful preservation of dialogue clarity and thoughtful enhancement of music ensures that "Kramer vs. Kramer" sounds better than ever before, embodying an auditory experience that is as timeless as the film itself.

The Blu-ray release of "Kramer vs. Kramer" provides a somewhat limited yet insightful peek behind the curtain of this Academy Award-winning film, primarily through its centerpiece documentary, "Finding the Truth: The Making of Kramer vs. Kramer." This 48-minute HD featurette, albeit with a 4:3 aspect ratio and some visual fuzziness indicative of an SD master source, offers a deep dive into the movie's creation. Notably, it includes candid interviews with key cast members—Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Justin Henry—as well as insights from director Robert Benton and others involved in the production. The documentary effectively compensates for the lack of other extras by delving into the collaborative process behind the film, sharing fascinating anecdotes such as Hoffman's initial reluctance to join the project and the improvisational techniques employed to elicit a natural performance from young Henry. Despite the sparse selection of additional content, this feature alone makes the Blu-ray a worthy addition for fans and cinephiles interested in the film's behind-the-scenes stories and the creative challenges overcome by its makers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Finding the truth: The making of Kramer vs. Kramer: A comprehensive documentary featuring interviews with the cast and crew.
• HD BD Preview - Stranger than fiction: A preview of another film in high definition.
• BD-Live enabled: Provides access to additional online content.

"Kramer vs. Kramer," a masterpiece that emerged as a beacon of storytelling brilliance in 1979, has not diminished in its power to evoke profound emotional responses from its viewers even as it graces the Blu-ray format. The film, which adeptly navigates the turmoil of divorce and the intricate dynamics between work and family life, is a testament to the unparalleled performances delivered by its cast. Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and the remarkably talented young Justin Henry offer a masterclass in acting that demands rediscovery by both seasoned aficionados and a new generation of cinephiles.

The technical transition to Blu-ray has been handled with respect and precision, ensuring that the visual and auditory essence of the original cinematic experience is faithfully retained. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer exhibits a pristine clarity devoid of digital artifacts, presenting the film as it was meant to be seen. Moreover, the English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound track, while maintaining a deliberate focus on the front centre speakers, encapsulates the viewer in a sensory engagement that underscores the film's emotional depth without unnecessary distraction. Added to this is an intriguing featurette that takes viewers behind the scenes, providing an enriching context to the film's creation and its enduring legacy.

At its heart, "Kramer vs. Kramer" transcends the boundaries of its time, encapsulating the essence of human emotion and familial bonds through the lens of cinema. Its nuanced portrayal of Ted Kramer's transformation into a fully involved father under duress and the subsequent custody battle offers a rich exploration of themes that remain as relevant today as they were in the late 70s. Coupled with its impeccable transition to Blu-ray, the film stands as an indispensable addition to the collection of those who cherish cinema that not only entertains but also profoundly moves the human spirit.

The re-release of "Kramer vs. Kramer" on Blu-ray presents a timely opportunity to revisit a seminal film that radically addressed the themes of divorce and fathers' rights with a nuanced, unflinching narrative. This edition does justice to the profound impact and timeless relevance of the film, boasting a high-quality video transfer that brings out the best in the emotional depth of performances by Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. The exceptional clarity and film-like quality of the video, coupled with capable audio delivery, ensure that both seasoned fans and newcomers are treated to a viewing experience that is as moving and powerful today as it was in its original release.

Tested across a wide range of high-end equipment, including the JVC DLA-RS20 projector, Carada Precision Brilliant White screen, and various elite Blu-ray players such as the Panasonic DMP-BD55K and Sony PlayStation 3, the Blu-ray disc excelled in showcasing the film's visual and auditory nuances. Whether viewed through the lens of sophisticated home cinema setups involving Canton Ergo speakers and SV Sound PB-13 Ultra subwoofers or the more accessible configurations, the Blu-ray delivered an unfaltering performance. The precision and care in the video transfer process are evident, ensuring that every frame conveys the emotional and thematic complexities of the movie with startling clarity.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray edition of "Kramer vs. Kramer" stands as a definitive release for one of cinema's most impactful dramas. It admirably bridges the film's historic cinematic achievements with contemporary viewing standards, offering both visual and auditory excellence that enhances the deeply emotional narrative. This release not only ensures that the film remains relevant for today's audiences but also reaffirms its place as a must-own in the collections of cinephiles. Highly recommended, this Blu-ray breathes new life into a classic, assuring it a deserved resurgence and appreciation amongst a new generation of viewers.