Hitchcock Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Hitchcock" is a testament to the modern capabilities of digital cinematography and home video encoding, delivering an experience that, while it doesn't mimic filmic grain or the Technicolor depth synonymous with Hitchcock's era, dazzles in its own right. Shot using Red Epic cameras by acclaimed cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, the 1080p/AVC-encoded video is pristine, highlighting a warm and dense color palette that pays homage to the visual style of the past, with bright, nostalgia-infused highlights and spot-on contrast. The framing at 2.35:1 ensures viewers get to see the picture exactly as intended, without any discernible distractions like compression issues or unwanted digital noise reduction. Although a slight softness can be noticed in some medium shots, possibly for aesthetic reasons, it generally boasts an impressive level of clarity, especially in close-ups where details are meticulously captured.

20th Century Home Entertainment has spared no effort in ensuring that this Blu-ray encode is both gorgeous and faithful to the filmmakers' vision. The AVC MPEG-4 encode shines in its representation of colors, textures, and dark shadow details, exhibiting an innate cinematic quality that elevates both exterior and interior scenes. Interior shots, particularly within studio sound stages, are especially compelling with their bold, contrasting lighting. The lack of any physical imperfections such as dust, dirt, or damage is notable and speaks to the excellence of the encode, which is robust despite the very minimal occurrence of banding that most viewers would likely overlook.

In essence, "Hitchcock" on Blu-ray offers an exceptional visual experience that both honors and transcends the legendary director's stylistic traits. The blend of modern digital shooting techniques with old-world cinematic flavor results in a high definition presentation that's as close to flawless as one can expect from contemporary home entertainment releases. The careful attention to color grading, detail, and texture not only serves the narrative but also stands as a beacon of what is technically achievable in preserving the spirit of classic cinema for new generations.

The audio presentation of the "Hitchcock" Blu-ray is given the high-quality treatment it deserves with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, ensuring an immersive listening experience that complements the film's visual grace. Central to the audio's allure is Danny Elfman's score, which nods to Bernard Herrmann's iconic style while infusing Elfman's signature blend of drama and whimsy. The score’s richness is evenly spread across all channels, creating a full-bodied and clear sound. Despite the film's inherently calmer drama genre, it innovatively uses its sound design, incorporating ambient sounds and directional effects, like rain and studio clamor, across surround channels. Dialogue remains crisp and prominent, ensuring clarity and engagement throughout.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack excels beyond expectations for a period bio-pic, particularly shining during its orchestration of Elfman's music that showcases an impressive dynamic range. Moments of tension and thriller segments are bolstered by well-supported LFE levels, enhancing the drama's intensity. The meticulous rendering of sound effects, complete with strategic panning and the occasional surge of aggression, elevates the mix. This demonstrates a commendable effort to elevate the audio beyond standard expectations for a dialogue-driven film.

Moreover, the inclusion of English descriptive audio and multiple language dubs and subtitles (Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1, along with English SDH and Spanish subtitles) ensures accessibility for a wide audience, making the auditory experience of "Hitchcock" as inclusive as it is technically proficient. This approach to sound mixing challenges and exceeds typical norms for dramas, showcasing a commitment to auditory excellence that parallels the film’s cinematic qualities.

The Blu-ray release of "Hitchcock" is complemented by a generous selection of extras that deepen the viewing experience, exploring the legendary director's life and the making of this film with a mix of reverence and rigor. The highlight is undoubtedly the audio commentary by Sacha Gervasi and Stephen Rebello, providing insightful anecdotes and a deep dive into Hitchcock's complex character, arguably outshining the feature film itself. The inclusion of a solitary deleted scene adds a missing piece to the cinematic puzzle, while featurettes like "Becoming the Master: From Hopkins to Hitchcock" and "Obsessed with Hitchcock" offer comprehensive behind-the-scenes looks. Despite some questionable choices in footage orientation by Gervasi, the overall package is a well-curated tribute to Hitchcock, his work, and the meticulous effort to bring his story to life, appealing to both aficionados and newcomers to the Hitchcockian lore.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Sacha Gervasi and Stephen Rebello: The director and writer delve into their Hitchcock experiences and share production anecdotes.
• Deleted Scene: A brief scene featuring Hitchcock in an introspective moment.
• Becoming the Master: From Hopkins to Hitchcock: An exploration of Anthony Hopkins's transformation into Hitchcock.
• Obsessed with Hitchcock: A detailed making-of documentary covering all aspects of production.
• Sacha Gervasi's Behind-the-Scenes Cell Phone Footage: A unique perspective on production, marred slightly by vertical video.
• Hitchcock Cell Phone PSA: A public service announcement crafted from the film.
• The Story & The Cast: Featurettes discussing the film's narrative and stellar cast.
• Danny Elfman Maestro: A glance at the recording of the film's score.
• Hitch and Alma: An exploration of the relationship between Hitchcock and his wife, Alma.
• Remembering Hitchcock: Anecdotes from those who worked with Hitchcock.
• Theatrical Trailer & Sneak Peek: Promotional materials for the film.

Hitchcock," directed by Sacha Gervasi and adapted from Stephen Rebello’s book, delves into the life of the iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) during the tumultuous period of making "Psycho." Following his success with "North by Northwest," Hitch faces a creative impasse, yearning to break away from his conventional thriller territory and tackle something daringly different. This leads him to Robert Bloch’s novel "Psycho," inspired by the gruesome tales of Ed Gein. Despite skepticism from everyone around him, including his wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), Hitch is determined to bring this horrifying story to the silver screen, even risking personal and financial security by mortgaging his home to fund the project. The narrative primarily centers on this professional gamble and his domestic life, touching upon the friction between Hitch and Alma caused by his obsession with his leading ladies and her collaboration with writer Whitfield Cook (Danny Huston).

The film attempts to offer a glimpse into Hitchcock's complexities—his fears, creative processes, and the dynamics of his partnership with Alma—yet often veers into melodrama. Instead of delving deeper into the filmmaking challenges and the ingenuity behind “Psycho,” it focuses on Hitchcock’s personal enigmas, including imagined interactions with Ed Gein (Michael Wincott) that aim to add a layer of psychological depth but ultimately feel out of place. While these aspects aim to humanize the director, they sometimes detract from the more intriguing elements of his professional endeavors and the groundbreaking nature of "Psycho."

Performance-wise, Hopkins and Mirren shine in their roles, capturing the essence of the Hitchcock’s marital and creative partnership. The ensemble cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, and James D’Arcy, contribute significantly despite their limited screen time. Visually, the film impresses with its meticulous attention to period detail and an aesthetic that nods to Hitchcock’s style. Danny Elfman’s score cleverly bridges Herman’s legacy with his own compositions, enhancing the film's suspenseful atmosphere. "Hitchcock" ultimately serves as an engaging if somewhat superficial portrait of a cinematic legend, offering a blend of fact and fiction that will likely appeal more to casual viewers than to those seeking a deep dive into Hitchcock's psyche or a detailed chronicle of "Psycho's" creation.

Hitchcock," while it may not have fully reached the high expectations set by enthusiasts of Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful oeuvre, presents an engaging narrative that delves into the themes of creative collaboration, ambition, and the triumph over skepticism. Its exploration into these realms, albeit in a fashion that might seem somewhat superficial to those seeking a deeper psychological dive, is elevated by commendable performances, most notably those of Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. The Blu-ray release by 20th Century Fox stands out for its technical prowess, boasting an admirable audiovisual (A/V) quality and a comprehensive array of extras that enriches the viewing experience.

Despite some viewers potentially feeling a waning interest as the movie progresses, the technical merits of the Blu-ray should not be understated. It offers a visually and aurally impressive experience that showcases the meticulous period detail and the film’s overall production value. While the special features are extensive, offering a peek behind the cinematic curtain, there is a sense that some extras might not have been strictly necessary, edging towards being filler content. However, for aficionados of Hitchcock’s filmography or the stellar cast involved, these details serve as added value, making the package more appealing.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Hitchcock" is a commendable addition to any collection, especially for those with an affinity for films about filmmaking or biographical depictions of legendary directors. Its high-quality presentation and thoughtful selection of bonus content make it a worthy acquisition despite any narrative shortcomings or excess in supplementary material. Whether as a fan of Hitchcock, the actors, or cinema history in general, this release offers enough to warrant a recommendation, provided expectations are adjusted for a lighter, albeit insightful, exploration of the iconic director’s life and work.