Fade In Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Fade In," released by Kino Lorber, showcases a meticulous effort in visual restoration, offering the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and sourced from a new 4K master prepared at Paramount, this 1080p transfer revitalizes the film with an exquisite organic appearance akin to a classic interpositive. Despite the presence of minor nicks and blemishes, the transfer maintains a stable color balance, delivering a warm visual experience that aligns well with the film's summery Utah setting. The transfer adeptly captures the intent of director Jud Taylor and cinematographer William Fraker, presenting a more coherent and immersive viewing experience.

This release, derived from a 2021 HD transfer via a 4K scan, faithfully retains the film's original texture and grain. While minor imperfections such as scratches and tears, particularly from scenes featuring behind-the-scenes footage of "Blue," are evident, these do not detract significantly from the overall quality. Notably, the film's previous contrary formats provided inadequate visual clarity, but this Blu-ray release triumphs in presenting the movie with impressive image stability and authentic detail reproduction. The excellent presentation arguably represents the definitive home video version of "Fade In."

For enthusiasts and collectors, it's crucial to note that this is a Region-A locked Blu-ray disc. Therefore, possessing a native Region-A or Region-Free player is necessary for viewing. However, the remarkable restoration effort ensures that audiences can appreciate "Fade In" in its most visually appealing form to date—a considerable upgrade for a film previously difficult to experience in a thoroughly satisfying representation.

The Blu-ray release of "Fade In" presents an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 audio track, faithfully delivering the film's original mono format through a dual mono setup. Subtle nuances in sound quality are noted, largely offering clarity and precision in dialogue and music. The music, particularly Ken Lauber’s score, resonates with vibrancy, enhancing the viewing experience significantly.

There is a noticeable consistent clarity in all dialogue exchanges, rendering them easy to follow. While some listeners may detect minor unevenness in the audio presentation, this is not distracting and likely stems from the source material's age. There are no audio dropouts, distortions, or significant hissing, underscoring that this Blu-ray issue might represent the highest fidelity presentation of "Fade In" on home video to date.

Overall, this release maintains a professional standard in audio quality, with English SDH subtitles available to supplement the main feature. While some artifacts like very subtle hissing and popping exist, these do not detract from the overall clean and authentic sound reproduction. This meticulous attention to audio details significantly contributes to a well-rounded and immersive auditory experience.

The Blu-ray of "Fade In" provides an insightful exploration into the film's history and intricate details through well-curated extras. Two brand-new audio commentaries enrich the viewing experience. The first, by Daniel Kremer, offers a deep dive into the troubled production, including Burt Reynolds's involvement and Silvio Narizzano's contributions, complemented by background stories about the removal of names in credits. Kremer's insights are enhanced by his expertise on Narizzano. The second commentary, by Bryan Reesman and Max Evry, expands on the film’s documentary-style approach and European influences, highlighting the stars' careers and alternate paths the film might have taken. Both commentaries convey substantial information overlapping in appreciation for the movie, providing a comprehensive understanding of "Fade In." Additional promotional content further contextualizes this release.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by filmmaker/film historian Daniel Kremer: Explores the convoluted history including production and release issues.
• Commentary by entertainment journalists/authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry: Delivers insights into the movie’s thematic and stylistic elements.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: Includes trailers for classic films such as "Navajo Joe," "100 Rifles," "Sam Whiskey," "Impasse," "Skullduggery," "White Lightning," and "The Longest Yard."

Jud Taylor's "Fade-In," arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, presents a fascinating piece of cinema history. The film is deeply intertwined with the production of the 1968 western "Blue" shot in Moab, Utah. Amidst this backdrop, Burt Reynolds stars as Rob, a local cowboy, who finds unexpected romance with film editor Jean, played by Barbara Loden. The film offers a unique, multi-layered narrative exploring personal relationships amidst a cinematic production, featuring real footage from the filming of "Blue" and crafting a meta-commentary on film-making itself.

The film's tumultuous existence—from being heavily modified by Paramount against director Jud Taylor's intentions, leading to the pseudonym "Alan Smithee" in the credits, to its obscured release history—adds to its intrigue. This Blu-ray features a newly sourced 4K master transforming the visual aesthetics of "Fade-In," which echoes European sensibilities, akin to works by directors like Michelangelo Antonioni. The cinematography by William Fraker captures the rustic beauty of Moab, reinforcing the town as a character within the film and showcasing its allure as a classic cinema locale.

Although opinions have varied over time, "Fade-In" should be recognized for its contribution to cinema as both a romantic drama and a reflective narrative on Hollywood's inner workings. It stands out for incorporating evolving social attitudes of its era, including a notable reference to the use of "the pill." This release allows for a reevaluation of the film not merely as an artifact from a troubled past but as an insightful, if imperfect, exploration of love and art nestled within the film industry.

"Fade-In" emerges as a forgotten gem from the tumultuous cinematic era of the late 1960s. This Blu-ray release highlights its unique blend of poetic visuals and introspective moods, reminiscent of maestros like Michelangelo Antonioni and Valerio Zurlini. Unfortunately, due to misunderstanding and edits by the executives at Paramount, much of its original brilliance was obscured, resulting in the film being denied a theatrical release. The Blu-ray offered by Kino Lorber, with its commendable 4K remastering, revives this overshadowed narrative, albeit it remains unclear which iteration of the film is presented.

The Blu-ray release features a solid HD transfer that breathes fresh life into the film, enhancing its aesthetic charm. Additionally, the disc includes two engrossing commentary tracks that offer further insight into the behind-the-scenes filmmaking of the time, making it a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts and historians alike. This package not only reintroduces an intriguing piece of cinema history but also stirs curiosity about "Blue," the movie captured in the behind-the-scenes footage of "Fade-In".

Conclusively, "Fade-In" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to Kickstarter recoveries of lost cinematic art. Despite its initial setbacks, the film offers compelling glimpses into the romantic drama interwoven with subtle undertones of the filmmaking process itself. The efforts of Paramount and Kino Lorber in remastering and presenting this obscured film deserve praise. The Blu-ray is highly recommended for its insightful exploration of a nearly forgotten cinematic narrative and technical prowess in restoration.