Abraham Lincoln Blu-ray Review

"Abraham Lincoln" strides confidently onto Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer sourced from a meticulous 35mm restoration undertaken by the Museum of Modern Art. Preserving 93 minutes of the original 97-minute runtime, this edition impressively stands out compared to many public domain versions. For an over-80-year-old film, the print quality is commendable, with only minor specks, small scratches, and slight brightness fluctuations typical of aged film. Significantly, there are no major stains, tearing, or warpage present. The presentation is notably free of excessive digital clean-up such as heavy noise reduction or edge enhancement, retaining a pure, natural grain structure and avoiding any compression artifacts.

The visual quality reaches new heights in high definition, offering refined textures and enhanced detail that imbue the film with a palpable, print-like authenticity. The monochromatic gradient is well-handled, achieving sufficient depth in blacks without compromising shadow detail while maintaining crisp and balanced whites. This careful rendering enhances the film’s overall aesthetic, making it a pleasure to watch in motion. The 1.16:1 aspect ratio is preserved accurately, and the HD transfer significantly bolsters depth and detail, ensuring this vintage film now appears as good as it ever has.

In conclusion, "Abraham Lincoln" on Blu-ray presents an impressive restoration effort that successfully enhances the visual fidelity of this historic film without erasing its character. The natural grain and minimal digital interference create an authentic viewing experience, further supported by deep blacks and smooth whites that avoid overpowering the delicate balance inherent in monochromatic films. This release stands as a worthy addition to any classic cinema collection, reflecting the combined benefits of modern technology and respectful preservation.

The Blu-ray release of "Abraham Lincoln" features an uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 audio track that exhibits a diligent attempt at preserving the original audio elements. A crucial note appears before the film indicating that portions of the audio from the first three reels have unfortunately not survived. Consequently, for approximately the first 20-25 minutes, audiences will encounter a mix of intermittent sound and complete silence, with dialogue and musical cues provided by English subtitles. While these subtitles are thorough for the initial segments, it should be noted that there are no subtitle options available for the remainder of the film.

After the initial reels, the sound mixes seamlessly, though it is not without flaws. Listeners will notice consistent crackle and hiss throughout the audio track, which have not been digitally attenuated. Additionally, the audio can occasionally feel thin and brittle, particularly with slight peaking at higher frequencies. Despite these issues, which might be familiar to regular viewers of older films, they do not become a persistent distraction. Importantly, dialogue remains clear and intelligible throughout the film's duration, ensuring that the narrative delivery is maintained despite the aged nature of the soundtrack.

Overall, while "Abraham Lincoln" makes a commendable effort to present its aged audio elements in the best possible light, it does struggle with inherent decay and imperfections intrinsic to old soundtracks. These technical limitations are acknowledged yet managed in a way that preserves the integrity of the original recordings.

The Blu-ray extras for "Abraham Lincoln" feature a unique set of archival interviews featuring director D.W. Griffith and actor Walter Huston. These staged interactions, filmed during the production of "Abraham Lincoln" in 1930, provide an insightful glimpse into the filmmaking process and Griffith’s reflections on his Southern heritage. Presented in high definition, these brief yet meaningful interviews encapsulate Griffith discussing his memories of the South and aspects of their collaborative work. The inclusion of these historical snippets significantly enriches the viewing experience, offering both cinematic and cultural context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction to 'The Birth of a Nation' featuring D.W. Griffith and Walter Huston: Scripted interviews focusing on Griffith's childhood and film recollections.

D.W. Griffith's 1930 "Abraham Lincoln" emerges as an interesting artifact reflecting the cinematic and cultural sensibilities of its time. Released by Kino Classics in a period marked by renewed interest in Lincoln due to Spielberg's recent film, this biopic ambitiously traces the entirety of Lincoln's life, starting from his birth to his tragic assassination, in under 100 minutes. Griffith employs a script co-written by Stephen Vincent Benét, known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning work "John Brown's Body." Unfortunately, the film sacrifices depth for breadth, rendering it somewhat wooden and perfunctory. It spans from Lincoln's early physical prowess and charming romantic pursuits to his transformative political career, though much of Lincoln's nuanced biography and pivotal moments—like the Gettysburg Address—are either glossed over or omitted entirely.

The film's narrative structure is a series of historical vignettes, moving briskly from one significant event to another. The first act offers a refreshing portrayal of a vibrant, spirited young Lincoln (Walter Huston), displaying his strength, wit, and youthful passion. However, with Ann Rutledge's death, a beautifully shot yet somber scene marks a rapid transition in Lincoln's personal life as he meets Mary Todd (Kay Hammond) and ascends the political ladder. While the middle section focuses on the Civil War, it eschews grand battle sequences in favor of highlighting Lincoln's psychological turmoil; nevertheless, these scenes often lack the emotional resonance one might expect from such a heavy historical period.

Walter Huston's portrayal stands out as the film's primary strength. He provides a multifaceted performance that captures Lincoln's homespun humor, deep-seated sorrow, and profound wisdom. Despite Griffith's directorial approach being perceived as old-fashioned and the film itself being straightforward and largely static, Huston's enactment ensures that the 16th president remains a compelling figure. While Griffith’s treatment of Lincoln veers towards over-simplification and mythologizing, Huston breathes life into the otherwise staid film with moments that resonate with humanity and empathy, making it worthwhile for those interested in early cinematic interpretations of American history.

D.W. Griffith's 1930 film "Abraham Lincoln" has been brought to Blu-ray through a new 35mm restoration by the Museum of Modern Art, and Kino Classics has successfully presented it in the best shape it has ever been on home video. While the film, starring Walter Huston in a charming and occasionally moving performance as Lincoln, may appear old-fashioned or straightforward by today's standards, its historical significance cannot be denied. Griffith's penultimate film offers a glimpse into early cinematic portrayals of American history and remains a must-watch for enthusiasts of early cinema, Griffith devotees, and Lincoln/Civil War aficionados.

Despite the visual restoration, the audio and video presentations are mixed. While it is indeed the best iteration of this film available on video, viewers may notice inherent flaws in both the audio and visual quality due to the age of the source material. Some may find these imperfections distracting, yet they do not diminish the film's overall historical value. Concerning special features, the Blu-ray release is lacking, which may disappoint collectors seeking deeper insights or supplementary content.

In conclusion, "Abraham Lincoln" on Blu-ray stands as a significant piece of early cinema history. With a standout performance by Huston and creditable efforts by Griffith, this restored version is worth examining, particularly for those interested in cinematic heritage or historical films. Though imperfect in audio-visual representations and extras, it remains a valuable addition for specific audiences. If you set your expectations accordingly, this release could be a rewarding rental experience.

Four score and two years ago, D.W. Griffith brought forth to audiences a new film, conceived in Hollywood, and dedicated to the proposition that Abraham Lincoln was a damn fine president. That film, 1930's Abraham Lincoln, seems fusty and too straightforward now—it was old-fashioned even in its own day—but it features a charming, occasionally moving performance by Walter Huston in the title role, and it has some historical value as the pioneering Griffith's penultimate film. With a new 35mm restoration by the Museum of Modern Art, Kino Classics has brought the movie to Blu-ray in far better shape than it has ever looked on home video. If you're a fan of early cinema, a Griffith apologist, or a Lincoln/Civil War buff, it's probably worth checking out—just don't expect a masterpiece.