The Great Silence Blu-ray Review

Film Movement's Blu-ray presentation of "The Great Silence," directed by Sergio Corbucci, offers a significant improvement over previous releases, particularly the older DVD edition. This new transfer is sourced from a recent 2K remaster struck from the original camera negative (OCN). Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p and presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the release preserves the Western’s visual integrity with considerable enhancements in detail and fluidity. The filmic and stable presentation bestows a natural and organic nuance absent in earlier versions. Atomic gaming levels reflect some fluctuation, likely adjustable by most players but ideally addressed during encoding.

The remaster retains a rich, film-like grain structure essential for this 1968 Italian production. While the opening act is affected by heavier grain and optical cinematography, the image quality improves notably thereafter. The color grading is commendable, delivering a faithful palette that enhances the stunning mountain scenery with accurately rendered skin tones and balanced contrast. The gamma levels appear slightly elevated initially but do not detract substantially from the overall visual experience.

Additionally, the visual integrity of the film is preserved with no large cuts, damage marks, stains, or torn frames reported. Minor effects like the "checkers effect" from the prologue and some density issues remain but are relatively inconspicuous. The film's dynamic range is good, with only minor evidence of fading and debris, thanks to significant dustbusting performed on the digital scan. This Blu-ray edition is encoded with high video bitrates on BD-50, guaranteeing robust playback. Fans of "The Great Silence" will appreciate this meaningful upgrade, making it a compelling addition to any collection.

The Blu-ray release of "The Great Silence" offers two standard audio tracks: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English Dolby Digital 2.0. Notably, optional English subtitles are available only for the Italian track, as the English dub features entirely different dialogues. Both tracks were subject to overdubbing during post-production. For purists, the Italian track stands out with clear superiority due to specific remastering efforts which have effectively removed age-related imperfections and enhanced overall stability. While some viewers might prefer the English track due to the actors originally delivering their lines in English, it is regrettably a lossy format and has not undergone significant remastering.

The Italian audio, featuring Ennio Morricone's legendary score, is presented in 2.0 DTS-HD MA and offers a cleaner, higher fidelity experience than its English counterpart. However, the original Italian monaural soundtrack remains limited in aural engagement, though it does possess adequate dynamics. The English 2.0 Dolby Digital mono dub, despite its historical significance, delivers inferior sound quality with noticeable roughness and surface noise. It is considered an afterthought given the film’s lack of theatrical release in America and its censorship in England. For those seeking an optimal viewing experience, the Italian track is undoubtedly the preferred choice, with its more polished and dynamic audio making it a clearer option for cinephiles and enthusiasts alike.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Great Silence" offer a comprehensive and engaging look into the film and its context within the spaghetti western genre. Filmmaker Alex Cox's commentary provides insightful analysis of Sergio Corbucci’s work, including intriguing behind-the-scenes details. The archival documentary "Western, Italian Style" is a time capsule of the era, featuring interviews with key figures like Corbucci and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Two alternate endings present fascinating what-ifs, accompanied by optional commentary from Cox. The package also includes original and restoration trailers, a gallery of related trailers, and an illustrated booklet with a critical essay by Simon Abrams. This collection of features makes it a must-have for fans and scholars of Italian westerns.

Extras included in this disc:

• Cox on Corbucci: Filmmaker Alex Cox discusses Sergio Corbucci's career.
• Western, Italian Style: 1968 documentary exploring the Italian western genre.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer with English subtitles.
• Restoration Trailer: New 2018 rerelease trailer.
• Two Alternate Endings: Restored alternate endings with optional commentary by Alex Cox.
• Trailer Gallery: Collection of trailers for various Film Movement releases.
• Booklet: 16-page booklet with an essay by Simon Abrams.

Sergio Corbucci's 1968 masterpiece, The Great Silence, is a seminal work in the spaghetti western genre, now available on Blu-ray from Film Movement. This landmark film is set against the brutally cold backdrop of the Utah Territory, where a vicious bounty hunter named Loco (Klaus Kinski) and his partner wage a cruel campaign against a group of persecuted so-called outlaws. Opposing them is the enigmatic mute gunslinger, Silence (Jean-Louis Trintignant), who is driven by personal vengeance and hired to avenge innocent victims. What sets The Great Silence apart from its contemporaries is its noir-like atmosphere, hewn with impeccable precision by cinematographer Silvano Ippoliti and accompanied by Ennio Morricone's haunting score. The stark, snow-swept visuals coupled with graphic realism impart a documentary edge to the film’s shootouts and brutal confrontations.

Unlike the flashy, action-centric narratives prevalent in 1960s and 1970s Westerns, Corbucci's film offers a heavily stylized but authentic portrayal of territorial lawlessness. It disrupts traditional genre conventions by rendering good and evil as indistinguishably entangled, forgoing the archetypal heroic conclusion. The complex character dynamics, particularly between Silence and Loco, add layers of tension and moral ambiguity. Frank Wolff's portrayal of Sheriff Gideon Burnett injects a flicker of hope in this otherwise bleak narrative, balancing the film's overarching themes of vengeance and retribution.

Jean-Louis Trintignant delivers a riveting performance on par with his work in The Conformist, further elevated by Kinski's chilling depiction of Loco. Enhanced by meticulous attention to environmental and atmospheric detail, The Great Silence remains an unflinching exploration of greed, corruption, and survival. It’s a must-own for any serious collector or fan of classic cinema, standing out as a bold experiment that both honors and subverts genre traditions.

Film Movement’s Blu-ray presentation of Sergio Corbucci's "The Great Silence" is a remarkable enhancement over previous editions, particularly the old DVD release by Fantoma. Remastered from a 2K scan, the visual fidelity is significantly improved, though slight room for further refinement remains. This new transfer effectively preserves the texture and grit of the original film, ensuring that both long-time fans and new viewers alike can appreciate its bleak beauty and strong cinematic style.

This Blu-ray edition not only excels in delivering an upgraded visual experience, but it also offers valuable supplementary content. The included documentary, "Western, Italian Style," directed by Patrick Morin, provides insightful perspectives from Corbucci and Enzo G. Castellari, enriching the viewer’s understanding of the film’s historical and stylistic significance. Their commentary deepens the appreciation of the movie's groundbreaking approach and its thematic resonance within the western genre.

In summary, "The Great Silence" stands as one of the greatest European westerns, with notable parallels to classic American noir. Film Movement’s Blu-ray release is a highly recommended upgrade from older versions, presenting this classic in its best light yet. Whether you are revisiting this film or experiencing it for the first time, this edition is an essential addition to any serious film collection.