The Producers Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Producers" from Kino Lorber is crafted from a newly restored 4K master and delivered with a 1080p transfer encoded in MPEG-4 AVC. The meticulous restoration brings a striking visual upgrade, enhancing clarity, color, and depth that impresses instantly. Texture pulled from the 35mm source is sharp and vivid, boasting unfiltered filmic qualities and a marvelous granularity devoid of any compression faults. The film displays an impressive vibrancy with particularly stunning blues and reds that surpass the faded quality of previous releases. The contrast here is notably resolved, presenting pure black levels and renewed depth, granting the film a rejuvenated appearance akin to a new production.

However, the release exhibits some noteworthy challenges in terms of color consistency. While the overall visuals appear stable and dense, color saturation inconsistencies disrupt fluidity. Skin tones occasionally veer towards unnatural warmth, potentially altering facial complexions to a tanned appearance not originally intended. Areas of black crush detract from finer details, notably in darker hues like deep blues and greens. These issues emphasize the necessity for refined manual adjustments across frames to harmonize saturation levels consistently throughout the film.

In sum, while the high-quality encode of "The Producers" offers a tightly defined visual experience, it is occasionally marred by problematic color grading choices. Despite these issues, the new restoration breathes vibrant life into the classic film, offering an overall superior home viewing experience that challenges previous editions. For cinephiles with access to Region-A or Region-Free players, this release represents both an achievement and a missed opportunity regarding color calibration.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "The Producers" offers two tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit). Subtitles in English SDH are also available. The consensus among reviewers is to prioritize the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track over the 5.1 mix. This choice is driven by the 2.0 track’s superior balance, volume, and fuller dynamics, which surpass the expected performance given the source material's age.

The evaluation of the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track highlights its clarity, stability, and balance. Critics praise its crisp, distortion-free dialogue and absence of age-related imperfections, delivering a clean listening experience. While some higher treble notes may lack crispness, this is negligible and acceptable considering the film's production era.

In contrast, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is noted to occasionally activate the surrounds to enhance depth during specific moments but otherwise mirrors a basic mono mix. Overall, although the 2.0 track maintains a simpler configuration, it provides a more authentic audio representation consistent with the film's period, making it the superior choice. This track ensures viewers enjoy a classic feel without sacrificing audio quality.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Producers" are an insightful compilation that enriches the viewing experience. Anchored by an exclusive, engaging audio commentary from film historian Michael Schlesinger, it provides a treasure trove of detailed analysis on Mel Brooks' comedic vision, including discussions on costume design and the film’s impactful humor. The package also includes a comprehensive making-of documentary that intricately details the film’s production and success, featuring interviews with the original crew and cast. Supplementary vintage content like trailers and radio spots add depth to the historical context of the film. The unique inclusion of sketches paired with music and Peter Sellers’ statement read by Paul Mazursky offer fans a well-rounded perspective of "The Producers" universe, effectively making this a robust collection for any aficionado.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Vintage trailer for The Producers.
• Radio Spot: Vintage radio spot for The Producers.
• Peter Sellers' Statement Read by Paul Mazursky: Tribute read by Mazursky.
• Sketch Gallery: Presented with music.
• Playhouse Outtake: Rare outtake.
• Making The Producers: Comprehensive documentary featuring archival interviews.
• Commentary: Insightful audio commentary by Michael Schlesinger.

The Producers (1967), directed by Mel Brooks, presents a satirical comedy that defies conventional comedic norms, blending farcical elements with biting social commentary. The narrative unfurls through Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) and Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), whose scheme to profit from a doomed Broadway play, "Springtime for Hitler," results in unwitting success. The film's chaotic energy is a testament to Brooks’ distinctive comedic style, which was refined in later works yet found here in its raw form. Mostel and Wilder embody their roles with frenetic, yet perfectly synchronized precision, delivering performances that are both timeless and hilariously chaotic.

The film capitalizes on the absurdity and shock value of its premise—a pro-Hitler musical—set against the backdrop of post-war America, where laughter acts as a cathartic escape from past trauma. Brooks ingeniously turns cultural taboos into comedic fodder that resonates with audiences even today. The Producers challenges the viewer's perception of comedy as merely entertainment by weaving in social critique, where the characters' madcap antics are not just humorous but also reflective of broader narratives on greed, societal norms, and historical memory.

Technically, the Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber showcases The Producers with notable fidelity to its original presentation. The high-definition transfer accentuates the film’s vibrant, albeit sometimes exaggerated, aesthetic. It brings clarity to the visually and aurally boisterous performances. However, some may find the lack of extensive supplemental material on this release a minor drawback. Nonetheless, the audio commentary by Michael Schlesinger offers valuable insights into the film’s context. While additional features could provide further engagement, this release sufficiently preserves Mel Brooks' groundbreaking vision for modern audiences, ensuring its comedic brilliance endures.

The Blu-ray release of "The Producers" delivers a satisfactory visual upgrade, though it falls short of being the definitive version fans might hope for. The 4K restoration efforts, spearheaded by Kino Lorber, aimed to rectify previous mishandlings, drawing parallels to their work on other classic films. While notable improvements have been achieved, particularly in the depiction of specific scenes when compared to StudioCanal's Region-B release, the overall restoration remains imperfect. Despite the enhancements, viewers familiar with the film’s earlier presentations might notice inconsistencies that detract from a fully cohesive visual experience.

Audio-wise, the release introduces some commendable features, notably a new commentary track that enriches the viewing experience for both enthusiasts and newcomers to Mel Brooks' early work. While Brooks' subsequent films like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein" may command a greater fondness among certain audiences, "The Producers" holds its ground as an instrumental piece in his comedic repertoire. The image quality and restored soundtrack contribute to appreciating this classic's historical significance, albeit without providing a definitive version.

In conclusion, while "The Producers" on Blu-ray sees upgrades that merit recognition, it stops short of delivering the ultimate viewing experience. Fans of Mel Brooks will appreciate the improved visuals and sound, despite them not reaching their full potential. As it stands, this release is best viewed as a stepping stone towards what could become a future definitive restoration. For collectors and enthusiasts, it is a valuable addition while waiting for more comprehensive restoration work.