For All Mankind Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Al Reinert's "For All Mankind" is an impressive video presentation, showcased in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC on a 50GB dual-layer disc. Utilizing a 1080p transfer, the release benefits from a high-definition restoration supervised by the director himself. This new transfer, sourced from a 35mm interpositive on a Spirit Datacine, offers a substantial improvement over the previous DVD version. The restoration process meticulously removed thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, and other artifacts, resulting in exceptional clarity and detail. The grain structure is preserved beautifully, particularly enhancing the Moon's footage, demonstrating Criterion's commitment to quality.

The transfer maintains steady visual fidelity even when viewed through a digital projector, ensuring that both fine details and vibrant colors remain intact. The clarity and stability are most evident in the sequences involving archival 16mm footage, where, despite the age and original condition of the film stock, the image remains sharp and clear with a natural grain structure. It's worth noting that some online reviewers have commented on perceived resolution discrepancies compared to the DVD; however, this appears to be primarily due to pictureboxing to maintain the correct aspect ratio rather than a reduction in quality.

In summary, Criterion's treatment of "For All Mankind" on Blu-ray is both technically accomplished and visually striking. The high-definition transfer brings out the best in archival NASA footage, revealing details and offering a visual experience that likely surpasses its original screening quality. The result is a stable, detailed, and richly colored presentation that showcases the historical footage in ways previously unseen. Be advised that this Blu-ray is Region A locked and requires compatible playback equipment.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "For All Mankind" is a remarkable achievement, both technically and sonically. It features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, meticulously remastered at 24-bit from 35mm magnetic tracks. The original Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack has undergone significant enhancements, with clicks, thumps, hiss, and hums removed using Pro Tools HD and Audio Cube's integrated audio workstation. The result is an audio experience that is astonishingly clear and stable, offering an exceptional listening experience.

Brian Eno's ethereal score shines magnificently within the soundscape, capturing the atmospheric essence beautifully without any noticeable imbalance. The use of DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 primarily enriches the ambient narration by the astronauts and Eno’s evocative score. Surround channels are subtly employed to create an immersive sense of space, with occasional heightened activity during launch and staging sequences to enhance the realism. The prioritization and balance of audio elements are distinctly well-managed, ensuring a coherent and engaging auditory experience.

Additionally, Criterion provides optional English HOH subtitles and an innovative feature that identifies off-screen speakers through intertitles, adding an extra layer to the viewing experience. While this feature can occasionally be confusing when identifying speakers versus on-screen persons, it remains a valuable addition for viewers. Overall, the audio quality is impeccable, delivering a pristine and dynamic sound experience that complements the visual excellence of this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray extras for "For All Mankind" deliver exceptional insights into NASA's historic missions, supported by expert commentary and engaging footage. This collection, housed in a robust plastic case, showcases crucial behind-the-scenes elements and interviews that significantly enhance the documentary. Of note is the archival commentary by filmmaker Al Reinert and Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan, who candidly reminisce about their experiences. The "An Accidental Gift" featurette details Reinert's journey in creating the film, while "On Camera" compiles invaluable interviews with Apollo astronauts. Alan Bean’s artistry shines in "Paintings From the Moon," presenting his post-NASA painting career. Furthermore, "NASA Audio Highlights" and "3, 2, 1… Blast Off!" include riveting sound bites and launch footage, respectively, capturing the essence of the space exploration era. Complementary essays by Terrence Rafferty and Al Reinert enhance the understanding of this monumental endeavor.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Archival audio by filmmaker Al Reinert and astronaut Eugene Cernan.
• An Accidental Gift: Behind-the-scenes making of the documentary.
• On Camera: Compilation of on-camera interviews with Apollo astronauts.
• Paintings From the Moon: Alan Bean’s post-NASA painting career.
• NASA Audio Highlights: Twenty-one sound clips from NASA’s first decade.
• 3, 2, 1… Blast Off!: Launch footage of NASA's five rocket boosters.
• Booklet: Illustrated 28-page booklet with essays and technical credits.

Al Reinert’s For All Mankind (1989) stands as an extraordinary documentary recounting the Apollo moon missions, now available on Blu-ray via Criterion. The film brilliantly chronicles the entire Apollo 11 mission through candid personal recollections of the three astronauts--Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin--and stunning archival footage from NASA. Reinert’s unconventional method of overlaying narration with unidentified archival voices allows viewers to engage deeply with the historical content. This strategy conveys the collective awe and ambition of humanity during the historic lunar landing, metaphoric in its intent. Enhanced by hours of meticulous work on film elements, including rebalancing color and improving clarity, even the most challenging scenes, such as the lunar landing, appear remarkably vivid.

Reinert discovered extensive unseen footage during his time covering NASA for Texas Monthly, initiating his ambitious project to bring these visuals to a wider audience. For All Mankind, crafted entirely from found footage, offers a profound and innovative perspective on space exploration that remains cutting-edge even today. Reinert opts for a montage of sequences enriched with context through careful audio curation of mission highlights and astronaut interviews. This results in a potent blend of breathtaking images and critical narrative soundbites that encapsulate the era’s adventurous spirit. The 80-minute runtime packs an emotional and intellectual impact unparalleled by many longer documentaries, making it an indelible celebration of scientific achievement.

For those who did not witness the moon landing firsthand, For All Mankind vividly rekindles the unrestrained thrill and technological prowess of the Apollo missions. Its release celebrates the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, enabling a new generation to experience this monumental historical event. Additionally, the film’s presentation on Blu-ray ensures that these incredible moments retain their immersive quality for contemporary audiences, spotlighting Reinert’s unique approach to documentary filmmaking.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Al Reinert's "For All Mankind" delivers an extraordinary viewing experience that cements its status as a landmark documentary. Presented with a newly restored transfer approved by the director, the film's visual fidelity is nothing short of stellar, enhancing every frame with a breathtaking clarity that brings the awe-inspiring Apollo missions to vibrant life. The sound design equally impresses, offering a meticulously balanced audio experience that complements the impeccable visual presentation. This release is a remarkable achievement and sets a new standard for documentary restoration.

The supplemental features included in this Blu-ray release are comprehensive and deeply enriching. From behind-the-scenes footage to insightful interviews, these additions provide a thorough exploration of the film's creation and the monumental space missions it chronicles. The inclusion of these materials enriches the viewer's understanding and appreciation of both the documentary and the historical events it covers. Criterion's attention to detail in curating these extras showcases their commitment to delivering an exhaustive and rewarding viewing experience.

Simply put, Al Reinert's "For All Mankind" is one of the greatest documentaries ever made. Criterion's Blu-ray release contains a newly restored, supervised and approved by the director, transfer of the film. The disc also contains a good amount of supplemental features. Obviously, we Highly Recommend it.