The Iceman Cometh Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray presentation of "The Iceman Cometh" provides a notable upgrade over previous DVD releases, courtesy of new 2K restorations for both the three-hour and four-hour versions. Utilizing AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 1.85:1, the video quality is a mixed bag, marked by heavy grain, inconsistent color timing, and occasional pixelation. While John Frankenheimer’s direction wisely employs close-ups and midrange shots to maintain decent detail levels, the film’s often dark ambiance and pronounced grain structure may be distracting for some viewers. The heavy grain can appear chunky and pixelated, especially toward the bottom of the frame. Despite these issues, the transfer does capture the film’s muted palette, emphasizing browns and yellows in the production design.

The director’s cut, while retaining the filmic grain, introduces additional challenges. The scenes re-integrated into this version are pulled from different source elements that exhibit visible differences in density and color timing, with some parts having a video-esque appearance. The reinserted footage is less grainy but can starkly contrast with the rest of the film, particularly noticeable around the 42:30 mark, where color and contrast anomalies create a desaturated, blown-out effect. The three-hour version offers more consistent color timing with fewer age-related artifacts and harsh grain issues compared to the director's cut. Despite these technical inconsistencies, viewers might find themselves absorbed in the drama, mitigating the impact of these visual flaws. Both versions have been divided into eight chapters, with two intermissions included in each presentation.

The audio presentation of "The Iceman Cometh" on Blu-Ray offers distinct experiences between its two versions. The three-hour theatrical cut boasts an LPCM 2.0 mono track at 1.5 Mbps, which delivers a slightly brighter and forceful audio quality compared to the four-hour director's cut that features a lossy DTS 2.0 mono track. The LPCM 2.0 track is generally clear and amplifies dialogue with precision, despite occasional anomalies such as pops and cracks, mimicking the nostalgic sound of vinyl records. These minor imperfections are present throughout the presentation, but they do not significantly detract from the overall experience considering the historical context and material quality of the source.

The DTS 2.0 mono track on the director's cut, while competent, experiences fluctuations in amplitude during transitions from the theatrical version to extended scenes. The dialogue remains intelligible and well-presented, but slight flutter and amplitude issues are noticeable. Both tracks are minimalistic in nature, primarily focusing on Eugene O'Neill's rich and memorable dialogue, with limited musical interferences mainly relegated to the main and end credits and sparse unaccompanied patron songs throughout the film. Despite these technical idiosyncrasies, both audio tracks adequately convey the essence of O'Neill’s language, ensuring an immersive auditory experience.

Thus, although the audio presentations contain minor audible blemishes, they effectively uphold the integrity of the dialogue-driven film. The critical technical variations between the LPCM and DTS tracks in terms of brightness and clarity make each track suited to slightly different listening preferences. Ultimately, for an audience with reasonable expectations, these subtle distinctions enhance rather than detract from the historical authenticity of "The Iceman Cometh."

The Blu Ray extras for "The Iceman Cometh" provide an informative and engaging exploration of the film and its production background. The standout is the Interview with Edie Landau, offering rich insights into the history and anecdotes of the American Film Theatre, along with a notable focus on the producing career of Ely Landau. Additionally, Ely Landau: In Front of the Camera is a brief yet amusing promotional piece showcasing Landau's personality. The second disc also includes various American Film Theater trailers, giving a well-rounded perspective on the series.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Edie Landau: An engaging sit-down with Ely Landau's widow, discussing their producing careers and the American Film Theatre’s existence.
• Ely Landau: In Front of the Camera: A brief promotional piece revealing Landau’s showmanship.
• AFT Trailers: A collection of trailers from various American Film Theater productions.

"The Iceman Cometh," directed by John Frankenheimer and produced under Ely Landau's ambitious American Film Theatre series, is a gripping adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's intense and emotionally charged play. Set in 1912, the narrative unfolds in a claustrophobic New York City dive bar where a group of washed-up drunks, led by the charismatic yet troubled salesman Hickey (Lee Marvin), grapple with their delusional dreams and harsh realities. The film's four-hour runtime allows for deep character exploration, capturing the emotional depth and dark complexity intrinsic to O'Neill's work. Marvin's portrayal of Hickey is both nuanced and commanding, setting the tone for the unfolding psychological and moral battles among the bar's patrons, who include the compellingly dejected Larry Slade (Robert Ryan) and the disillusioned Harry Hope (Fredric March).

Frankenheimer's direction is masterful, using long takes and thoughtful framing to enhance the atmosphere of despair and fleeting hope that permeates the bar. Despite its often theatrical roots, the film does not feel like a mere photographed play. Creative camera placements and deliberate close-ups bring cinematic depth to each character’s poignant monologues. The supporting cast's performances are consistently strong, from Tom Pedi's gritty bartender Rocky to Jeff Bridges' desperate young rebel Don Parritt. Ryan’s portrayal of Slade is a standout, providing a deeply textured performance that highlights his character’s internal struggle. The adaptation includes many of O'Neill’s powerful monologues, preserving the play's original emotional intensity while making thoughtful cuts to maintain pacing.

The production captures the essence of O'Neill’s exploration of illusion versus reality, supported by an evocative set design that amplifies the feeling of entrapment among the characters. This film remains a distinguished testament to the power of O'Neill's writing and Landau's innovative vision for bringing high-quality theatrical works to a discerning film audience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Iceman Cometh" provides an intriguing look into one of Eugene O’Neill's seminal works through the lens of John Frankenheimer’s masterful direction. The release includes both the three-hour theatrical cut and the comprehensive four-hour director's cut, expertly preserved on separate discs. The inclusion of familiar bonus material pertaining to the American Film Theatre adds significant value to this already robust package. It's clear that Kino Lorber has made considerable effort to deliver a product that respects the film's storied legacy.

Visual and audio fidelity does present some challenges in this release. While the video transfer offers a decent representation of the film’s original aesthetic, certain scenes suffer from less-than-ideal clarity and color balance. The audio quality remains respectful to the source material; however, it occasionally falters, impacting the overall immersive experience. Despite these technical hiccups, the performances—particularly from seasoned actors—are so poignant and robust that they overshadow these minor deficiencies.

The American Dream as self-delusion haunts "The Iceman Cometh," and the film's political subtexts are often as interesting as some of the more personal, psychological aspects. This is a towering production brilliantly directed by John Frankenheimer and featuring a glut of really visceral performances, especially by some of the more seasoned actors. Video and audio both encounter some hurdles along the way for those considering a purchase. Those caveats aside, recommended.