The Way We Were 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Sony's meticulous remastering of “The Way We Were” for its 4K UHD Blu-ray release is a commendable achievement. The 2160p 4K video presentation honors director Sydney Pollack's vision and cinematographer Harry Stradling Jr.'s Oscar-nominated work. Both the 118-minute theatrical cut and the 123-minute extended version, available via seamless branching on a single 100GB UHD disc, exhibit a fine veneer of filmic grain that rarely interferes with the picture quality. The image maintains clean edges and precise textures, with only a few scenes exhibiting notable softness attributable to the source material rather than the encoding. Key highlights include striking colors and vibrant contrast, enhanced further by HDR and Dolby Vision, which deliver richer hues and excellent shadow delineation.

The transfer, remastered from the original camera negative, presents Stradling Jr.'s cinematography in a more vibrant, crisp, and lush manner. Marvelous clarity and contrast, inky blacks, well-defined whites, and sumptuous color combine to produce a film-like image that honors both the movie's period setting and romantic nature. Reds are particularly noteworthy; Streisand’s lipstick and nail polish pop vividly, with verdant landscapes and crystal blue seascapes adding extra panache. Costume fabrics display distinct patterns, while razor-sharp close-ups enhance the appeal of Streisand's creamy complexion and Redford's rugged features.

Despite some reports of a distracting hitch or shudder when the disc transitions to its third layer, this issue was not universally observed. The natural grain structure remains intact throughout the film, with minimal excessive texture in a couple of scenes. Whether on standard 1080p Blu-ray or the superior 4K UHD disc, viewers are treated to an impressive visual experience. While the Blu-ray holds up well—especially on an upconverting TV—the UHD disc's nuanced hues and discernible fine details make it the clear victor for diehard fans seeking the best possible rendition.

The audio presentation of "The Way We Were" on 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a mix of two lossless audio tracks: a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track on the extended edition and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix on the theatrical cut. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides a subtly immersive soundscape that respects the original sound design without overasserting itself, featuring tasteful use of rear speaker activity and low-end output. While some may find the artificiality in spatial enhancement slightly off-putting, the track still provides an engaging auditory experience. Dialogue is clear and well-prioritized, characterized by the expected quirks of a 1970s production but devoid of problematic distortions. Marvin Hamlisch’s Oscar-winning score is well-integrated, offering fine fidelity and tonal depth without overshadowing conversations.

Conversely, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix stays true to its original form, capturing the authentic essence valued by purists of 1970s cinema. Although its relative flatness might deter modern viewers, it excels in preserving the film's historical audio integrity. Both tracks successfully avoid introducing extraneous noise, static, or hiss, ensuring a clean listening experience. Despite being predominantly dialogue-driven, the 5.1 mix notably enhances moments when Hamlisch’s score intensifies, providing clear stereo separation across the front channels. Ambient effects, although subtle, are effectively muted yet crisp, allowing interior accents to enhance scenes organically.

In summary, whether you choose the mildly immersive 5.1 surround or the faithful mono mix, "The Way We Were" ensures dialogue is consistently sharp and music is elegantly rendered. Neither track will push your system's capabilities to the limit, but both provide an authentic and seamless auditory experience befitting this talky drama.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray edition of "The Way We Were" delivers an array of insightful and historically rich extras. The centerpiece is the extended cut of the film, which integrates critical scenes that enhance both the romantic and political threads of the narrative. Complementing this is Sydney Pollack’s 1999 audio commentary on the theatrical version, providing a deep dive into production challenges, script revisions, and key thematic elements. The hour-long documentary "Looking Back" offers a retrospective look at the film's making, featuring candid interviews with major contributors, excluding Redford. This feature also includes several insightful deleted scenes that were cut from the original release. Presented seamlessly along with these substantial extras, the original theatrical trailer rounds out the offering, emphasizing the iconic Streisand-Redford pairing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Extended Cut: Integrates critical late scenes that enhance the film.
• Audio Commentary: Sydney Pollack’s detailed observations on the production.
• Looking Back: A comprehensive documentary on the film's making.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original preview highlighting Streisand and Redford.

"The Way We Were" stands as a nostalgic relic of 1970s cinema, encapsulating the intricate dynamics of love and political ideology through the lens of its protagonists, Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand) and Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford). The film, directed by Sydney Pollack, spans from the late 1930s to the early 1950s, using flashbacks to unravel the couple’s tumultuous relationship amid changing times. Katie, a fervent Marxist and anti-war advocate, and Hubbell, a laidback WASP with little political interest, are continually at odds yet irresistibly drawn to one another. Their attraction is evident from their college days, but as political beliefs and cultural differences deepen, their love faces insurmountable challenges.

Despite the film being half a century old, its portrayal of sociopolitical divisions remains relevant. However, it also highlights how such opposites attract yet repel, creating a love story that feels increasingly rigid and formulaic as it progresses. The narrative relies heavily on Katie’s outspoken nature and Hubbell’s passive demeanor, leading to repeated cycles of conflict and reconciliation that can become grating over time. The movie's pacing, once perhaps considered standard, now feels sluggish to modern viewers, rendering its once poignant romance somewhat saccharine and dated.

Visually, the 4K UHD Blu-ray release does justice to the film’s classic aesthetics with a crisp 2160p/HEVC H.265 video codec and Dolby Vision HDR. The audiovisual presentation is bolstered by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which brings life to its iconic score and dialogue. Though Barbra Streisand’s passionate performance and Robert Redford’s charisma shine brightly, the couple’s chemistry alone struggles to sustain the film's emotional core in the face of its now-obvious narrative limitations. Ultimately, while "The Way We Were" offers a glimpse into a bygone era of Hollywood romance, it may feel more like a nostalgic curiosity than a timeless epic for contemporary audiences.

"The Way We Were" 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Sony delivers a technically impressive package that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of this classic romantic drama. The restoration process for this 50th anniversary edition is exemplary, providing a sharp and vibrant video presentation enhanced by Dolby Vision HDR. While the remastering isn't a dramatic improvement over the 2013 Blu-ray, the added detail and color depth are noticeable and appreciated. The audio presentation is equally commendable, featuring robust lossless audio mixes that do justice to the film's iconic score and dialogue.

This release includes both the theatrical and extended cuts, with the extra five minutes of footage enhancing the narrative depth, even if it doesn't entirely resolve the storyline's inherent issues. Although a new retrospective feature would have been a welcome addition, the provided supplements are still substantial and rewarding. These legacy features are well chosen, adding historical context and additional insight into the making of the film.

Overall, while "The Way We Were" may not resonate with everyone and has shown some age-related wear in its storytelling, this 4K UHD release stands out as the definitive version. Its technical merits, combined with the inclusion of both cuts and solid special features, make it an easy recommendation for anyone who appreciates the film’s nostalgic charm and rich performances. Highly recommended for devoted fans and collectors alike.