Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Blu-ray Review

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, reportedly from a new 4K scan supervised by Grover Crisp's team at Sony-Columbia. This transfer boasts a wonderfully organic appearance, with a fine grain structure offering appropriate texture throughout. Despite some intentionally filtered shots, especially of Hepburn in close-ups, the transfer excels in sharpness and clarity. The color palette is accurate, though it may appear slightly warm and lack heft in saturation, leading to occasionally pasty flesh tones. The increased resolution does accentuate the theatrical aspects of the production, with painted backdrops of San Francisco becoming more apparent.

The high definition transfer delivers a vibrant and crisp image that significantly enhances Stanley Kramer's social comedy. The efforts of the crew are evident in the final product, with the grain adding a lovely richness to the frame and excellent contrast producing a pronounced sense of depth. Colors, including Hepburn's wrap and Houghton's pants, are highly saturated, blacks are inky, and bright whites resist blooming. Costume textures are well-rendered, and close-ups, particularly of Spencer Tracy, reveal intricate details with exceptional precision. Although some nicks and marks appear intermittently, they are minor and inconspicuous, complementing the overall pristine digital transfer. Unfortunately, the clarity also highlights the artificiality of the backdrops, intensifying the movie's soundstage look. Nonetheless, this eye-popping transfer will undoubtedly thrill fans of Tracy and Hepburn and classic film enthusiasts alike. Great job by Sony!

The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" offers a commendable audio experience, particularly given the film's dialogue-driven nature. This track effectively supports the film's extensive expository sequences, presenting clear and well-modulated dialogue with no discernible issues such as hiss or surface noise. The soundtrack exudes a surprising amount of fidelity and communicates the conversations and emotional nuances with distinct clarity, obviating the need for any adjustments in comprehension.

Frank De Vol's lush score, notably featuring the 1930s hit "The Glory of Love," benefits remarkably from this audio treatment, filling the room with rich resonance and depth of tone. The minor instances of pops and hint of distortion are negligible and do not detract from the overall listening experience. Moreover, for those who wish to delve deeper into De Vol’s orchestral work, an isolated score track is available in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, offering an enriched auditory dimension. In sum, the audio track is robust and pristine, making the most out of its mono limitations and providing a thoroughly enjoyable sonic backdrop to this classic film.

The Blu-ray release of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner features a comprehensive and insightful collection of extras that enrich the main film experience with historical context and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The Isolated Score Track in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 enhances appreciation for Frank DeVol's musical contributions. Film historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo provide an engaging and informative Audio Commentary, exploring the film's cultural impact and production details. Several introductions from prominent figures including Karen Kramer, Steven Spielberg, Tom Brokaw, and Quincy Jones, offer personal reflections on the film’s societal significance. Featurettes such as A Love Story for Today and A Special Kind of Love delve into the film’s production, with archival footage and interviews highlighting the dedication of its cast and crew.

Extras included in this disc:

• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
• Audio Commentary: Features Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo.
• Introductions: By Karen Kramer, Steven Spielberg, Tom Brokaw, and Quincy Jones.
• A Love Story for Today: Retrospective with production information.
• A Special Kind of Love: Archival recordings and interview with Houghton.
• Stanley Kramer: A Man’s Search for Truth: Overview of Kramer's vision.
• Stanley Kramer Accepts the Irving Thalberg Award.
• 2007 Producers Guild Stanley Kramer Award Presentation to An Inconvenient Truth.
• Original Theatrical Trailer.
• Teaser.

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" remains an eloquent socio-political commentary resonating from its 1967 debut. The plot centers around an interracial couple, John Prentice (Sidney Poitier) and Joey Drayton (Katharine Houghton), who seek their parents' approval for their forthcoming marriage. Released during the peak of the Civil Rights Era, the film offers a compelling narrative against the backdrop of an America wrestling with systemic racism and newly legislated equality. Stanley Kramer’s directorial approach captivates with a subtle yet impactful examination of race relations, placing the drama within a liberal household in San Francisco. This setting allows screenwriter William Rose to expose the latent prejudices even among those who consider themselves progressive, highlighting societal hypocrisy with finesse.

The film's strength lies in its performances, particularly by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Tracy, in his final role, masterfully portrays Matt Drayton, balancing liberal idealism with paternal apprehension. Hepburn, who won an Oscar for her role, delivers a deeply emotional performance, often reflecting the struggle between personal beliefs and societal expectations. Sidney Poitier’s portrayal of John Prentice is both dignified and poignant, though his role sometimes feels constrained by the film's intent to present him as impeccably virtuous to foreground the issue of race. The casting choices foster a profound chemistry that underpins the film's narrative drive.

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" tactically introduces complex racial dynamics without overwhelming the audience, maintaining a tone that is gentle yet thought-provoking. The film navigates societal norms of its time with calculated precision, thus ensuring its messages about race, acceptance, and family unity are conveyed effectively. Although some elements might appear dated, the film’s underlying themes remain relevant, mirroring contemporary dialogues on racial equality. The compelling subplots involving characters like Tillie (Isabel Sanford) and John's father (Roy E. Glenn) add layers to its critique of both black and white perspectives on interracial relationships, revealing the multifaceted nature of prejudice.

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," despite its age, remains a poignant social commentary on interracial marriage and race relations, wrapped in a narrative that's both comforting and thought-provoking. Originally released amidst the American social upheaval of the 1960s, the film benefits from its skillful juxtaposition of controversial themes with a traditional, familiar setting. William Rose's script and Stanley Kramer's direction adeptly navigate the racial tensions of the time, making the film's exploration of societal issues accessible and compelling. The Blu-ray release does justice to the film's legacy with top-notch video quality, superb audio fidelity, and insightful supplementary content.

The film's charm lies in the stellar performances by Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, and Katharine Hepburn, whose portrayals imbue the narrative with authenticity and emotional depth. While some elements may feel outdated to contemporary audiences, the underlying message remains relevant. The gentle humor and warm familial interactions, combined with pressing social themes, deliver a balanced viewing experience. The Twilight Time Blu-ray version preserves all these qualities impeccably, retaining the supplements from its 2007 DVD predecessor and enhancing the audiovisual presentation to current standards.

In conclusion, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" continues to resonate as a culturally significant film that thoughtfully addresses race relations through a relatable lens. Its expert craftsmanship and enduring performances make it a worthwhile revisit, especially in today's context of ongoing racial dialogues. This Blu-ray release comes highly recommended for those looking to explore or re-experience this classic film in optimal quality.