The Red Shoes 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Red Shoes," presented on 4K UHD Blu-ray by Criterion, maintains its cinematic legacy through a meticulously restored version that is nothing short of breathtaking. Encoded with HEVC/H.265 and flaunting an original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, this transfer elevates the classic film to unprecedented heights of visual fidelity. The restoration, supervised by Robert Gitt with assistance from Barbara Whitehand and digitally coloured by Ray Grabowski, utilizes the 2009 4K digital restoration sourced from the original Technicolor 35mm camera negatives. With funding from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Film Foundation, and the Louis B. Mayer Foundation, this restoration also involved significant work from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging, in collaboration with Prasad Corporation Ltd. (India) and MTI Film, ensuring every frame's integrity is preserved and enhanced for this release.

Technically, "The Red Shoes" in 4K is a marvel. The film's encoding details, including the embrace of Dolby Vision HDR, showcase a significant upgrade over its previous home media iterations. The work rectified color fringing and alignment issues inherent in the original negatives — a testament to the dedication of those involved in its preservation. This version also features HDR10, accommodating various viewer setups and affirming its versatility. The striking clarity and detail found within this masterpiece highlight the intricate stage designs and nuanced performances, offering an immersive experience that only enriches its narrative depth and emotional impact.

Visually, the 4K UHD presentation demonstrates an exceptional range of colors, from vibrant hues to subtler shades, all while maintaining authentic tones that respect the original cinematography by Jack Cardiff. Despite some minor inherited fluctuations and artifacts, the overall clarity, depth, and black levels are profoundly robust, revealing a film that is both a historical artifact and a living work of art. This rendition of "The Red Shoes" not only respects the visual aesthetics of the era it was produced in but also leverages modern technology to present a version that could only have been dreamt about at the time of its original release. The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-ray disc allows audiences to experience this timeless classic with a freshness that reaffirms its place in cinematic history.

The audio presentation of "The Red Shoes" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray release remains in its original form, featured in English LPCM 1.0, with the inclusion of optional English SDH subtitles for accessibility. The fidelity to the original audio format brings forth a sense of authenticity and preservation, acknowledging the era in which the film was made. Despite the allure of modern advancements in audio technology, such as Dolby Atmos, which could arguably enhance the richness and fullness of the film's iconic score and overall auditory experience, this release opts for faithfulness to its mono roots. The decision underscores a preference for historical accuracy over contemporary enhancement, ensuring that the film's auditory presentation remains true to its original sound design and recording limitations.

Significant effort has been undertaken to ensure the audio quality is as pristine as possible given its mono limitations, with Audio Mechanics spearheading restoration efforts from the original optical tracks. This meticulous process has effectively minimized noise and distortion, thereby offering a clean and clear audio experience. Although the optical recording technology of the era naturally caps the audio fidelity, the restoration work ensures that Brian Easdale's Oscar-winning score is presented with due respect and clarity, showcasing its importance without compromise.

Listeners will find that dynamics, low-frequency extensions, and surround sound presentation are not applicable due to the mono nature of the track. However, dialogue reproduction remains exceptional, with every line delivered with clarity and precision. This adherence to mono, while potentially limiting by modern standards, allows audiences to experience "The Red Shoes" as close to its original auditory essence as possible, celebrating the film's historical context and audiovisual artistry without succumbing to the temptation of unnecessary modernization.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Red Shoes" offers an array of enriching extras that seamlessly blend archival content with a rigorous exploration of the film's legacy and technical marvel. Included are the gem-like Jeremy Irons' narrated "The Red Shoes Novel," providing a novel auditory experience synched to the film, and a meticulously curated commentary by Ian Christie that includes insights from key cast members, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, and notable fan Martin Scorsese. The extras are richly complemented by a mesmerizing restoration demonstration by Scorsese, a comprehensive "Profile of The Red Shoes" documentary, insightful musings from Thelma Schoonmaker Powell on the film's impact, and a stills gallery covering everything from behind-the-scenes to production designs. "Scorsese's Memorabilia" offers a unique peek into the film's physical history, while "The Red Shoes Sketches" bridges Heckroth's visionary designs with Easdale's haunting score. This collection, though offering no new features for this 4K release, remains an exhaustive tribute to the film's enduring artistry.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Red Shoes Novel: Jeremy Irons reads excerpts from the novelization of The Red Shoes.
• Commentary: Film historian Ian Christie provides an in-depth analysis with contributions from the original cast and crew.
• Restoration Demonstration: Martin Scorsese presents the 4K restoration process.
• Profile of The Red Shoes: A documentary exploring the making of the film.
• Thelma Schoonmaker Powell: Discussion on the importance of preserving The Red Shoes.
• Stills Gallery: A collection of photographs ranging from cast and crew to production designs.
• Scorsese's Memorabilia: An exhibition of rare items associated with the film.
• The Red Shoes Sketches: Animated storyboards set to music or Jeremy Irons' narration.

In their mesmerizing adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's tale, filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger present "The Red Shoes" (1948), a film that effortlessly transcends the boundaries of traditional cinema through its innovative narrative and visual bravura. At the heart of the film lies the story of Victoria Page (Moira Shearer), a young ballerina whose life becomes entwined with the demanding impresario Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook) and the idealistic composer Julian Craster (Marius Goring). The narrative delves deep into the emotional complexities of choosing between love and artistic dedication, providing a rich tapestry of human experience against the backdrop of ballet.

"The Red Shoes" is celebrated not only for its compelling drama but also for its groundbreaking technical achievements. The film is renowned for its pioneering use of Technicolor, stunning cinematography by Jack Cardiff, and its extraordinary ballet sequences that merge dance, music, and storytelling into a singular cinematic experience. Particularly noteworthy is the ballet of "The Red Shoes," which stands as a visual and auditory spectacle, illustrating the filmmakers' unparalleled ability to convey profound emotional narratives through the language of cinema. Brian Easdale's Oscar-winning score further elevates the film, seamlessly intertwining with the narrative to enhance the emotional depth and complexity of the characters' journeys.

Despite being released over seven decades ago, "The Red Shoes" has maintained its relevance and influence, inspiring countless artists across multiple disciplines. Its success at the Cannes Film Festival following a meticulous restoration and its enduring popularity underscore the film's universal appeal and timeless quality. The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-ray release not only preserves the film’s technical marvels but also enriches the viewing experience with comprehensive supplemental features. This release allows both longtime admirers and new audiences to explore the depth of Powell and Pressburger's masterpiece, ensuring that its legacy will continue to inspire future generations of filmmakers and artists.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Red Shoes" sets a new standard for film presentation, offering an almost surreal experience for viewers fortunate enough to enjoy this classic in its most refined form. Technology has finally caught up with the aspirations of film collectors, presenting an ultimate release that older generations could only dream of. The call to support such endeavors is not merely sentimental but a crucial step in ensuring the preservation and enhancement of cinematic history through physical media. The technical marvels achieved with this version underline the importance of advancing restoration techniques and encouraging studios and labels to invest in bringing classic films to the forefront of modern viewing capabilities.

Embellishing the cinematic experience, the inclusion of extras in Criterion’s set significantly enhances the value of "The Red Shoes" 4K UHD Blu-ray. While the film itself stands as a testament to cinematic excellence that doesn’t necessarily require additional context for enjoyment, the supplementary materials provided elevate this release into an essential acquisition for any film enthusiast. With a future-proof approach by including both 4K and standard Blu-ray formats, this package appeals not only to those with current 4K setups but also to those yet to upgrade, ensuring broad accessibility to the film’s stunning 2009 restoration in the best possible light.

In conclusion, "The Red Shoes" 4K UHD Blu-ray release is an exemplary showcase of how classic films should be presented in the modern era. It combines an unparalleled technical restoration with a thoughtful inclusion of extras, making it an indispensable addition to the libraries of film collectors and aficionados alike. The commitment to supporting physical media releases of this caliber ensures that the legacy of cinematic masterpieces continues to be appreciated and enjoyed by future generations. This release is not just highly recommended; it's considered essential for those who cherish the art of cinema and the ongoing evolution of its presentation.