Don't Look Now Blu-ray Review

Optimum Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release of "Don't Look Now" provides a mixed bag in terms of video quality. Framed in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC for a 1080p transfer, the expectations were high given the promises of a director-supervised restoration. However, it appears that post-restoration adjustments may have compromised much of the potential. The image is marred by inconsistent and occasionally thick machine noise and DNR artifacts, intended to reduce film grain but ultimately degrading overall detail and clarity. These technical flaws are evident in various scenes where the image can appear overly sharpened or smeary, notably affecting the shadow definition and panoramic vistas. Such adjustments detract from the strong color reproduction and depth that lie underneath, making this a frustrating watch especially for purists and those experienced in identifying post-production artifacts.

In motion, the presentation does improve somewhat, as the dynamic nature of film viewing can mask some of these issues compared to static screencaps. While larger screens (100'+) will undoubtedly reveal the extent of these imperfections more starkly, viewers using medium-sized displays (52'-55') may find the impact significantly less severe. It's also worth noting that despite these issues, this release still represents a visual improvement over its previous SD-DVD incarnations, though it falls short of what could have been achieved. Given Optimum Home Entertainment's strong track record with classic film transfers, this result is rather disappointing, turning what should have been a celebration of Roeg’s visual storytelling into a somewhat uneven experience. Potential buyers would be well-advised to preview this version before making a final purchase decision.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Don't Look Now" offers a notable upgrade from its previous editions. While it utilizes an LPCM 2.0 Stereo track, substantially outperforming the earlier mono offerings, some original idiosyncrasies persist. Dialogue, previously muffled by atmospheric interferences, now enjoys better clarity and balance with Pino Donaggio's iconic score. The stereo track achieves significant improvements in dynamics and fidelity, though it occasionally feels over-processed. Moreover, the LFE channel sees minimal utilization with a notable exception during the end title music.

Optimum Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release introduces an LPCM 2.0 track emphasizing dynamic amplitude and superior balancing over the Dolby Digital Mono track from the R1 DVD release. Dialog is crisp, clear, and particularly easy to follow compared to prior releases. Sudden dynamic fluctuations and dropouts haunting earlier editions have been effectively mitigated. English SDH subtitles are also provided for added accessibility, ensuring that the auditory experience is both inclusive and enhanced.

The Blu-ray extras for "Don't Look Now" provide a comprehensive and insightful enhancement to the main feature, integrating both previously released material and valuable new inclusions. The package offers a rich tapestry of commentaries, featurettes, interviews, and more, each adding depth to the viewing experience. Critic Alan Jones’ introductory segment establishes a solid context for the film. Director Nicholas Roeg and critic Adam Smith’s commentary track delivers a detailed examination of the film’s production nuances and thematic subtleties. Retrospective featurettes such as "Looking Back" and "Nothing Is As It Seems" furnish viewers with rich, behind-the-scenes perspectives while psychiatrist Colin Parkes offers an intriguing psychological analysis. Robust interviews with key figures like Danny Boyle and Donald Sutherland deepen the understanding of the film's lasting impact. Overall, this Blu-ray extras collection is indispensable for enthusiasts of "Don't Look Now."

Extras included in this disc:

Introduction: Critic Alan Jones provides a short introduction.

Commentary: Director Nic Roeg and critic Adam Smith discuss various aspects of the production.

Looking Back: Director Nic Roeg and crew discuss the production history and themes.

Nothing Is As It Seems: Psychiatrist Dr. Colin Parkes analyzes psychological themes in the movie.

Interviews: Insights from Composer Pino Donaggio, Danny Boyle, Allan Scott, Tony Richmond, and Donald Sutherland.

Compressed Version: A short version prepared by Danny Boyle for a BAFTA tribute.

Trailer: The original theatrical trailer.

Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now," widely acclaimed as a psychological horror classic, encapsulates Roeg’s distinctive non-linear narrative and visual brilliance. The film deploys these techniques to amplify a plot intertwined with clairvoyance and supernatural elements, set against the poignant backdrop of a grieving couple in Venice. The realistic portrayal of their grief, brought alive by superb performances from Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, remains one of the film's standout aspects. Despite its artistic excellence, some viewers might find the film’s ending contentious and the overall emotional impact lacking. Nonetheless, Roeg's craft is undeniably evident throughout, with his ability to intertwine the real with the surreal, presenting multiple points of view that persist in their enigma long after the film concludes.

The Venice setting plays a pivotal role, portraying an otherwise beautiful city as deeply unattractive and ominous. Roeg's effective use of Venice’s decaying canals, dilapidated buildings, and shadowy streets contributes a unique Gothic atmosphere akin to those found in classic Jack the Ripper tales. Notably, Donald Sutherland’s portrayal of John Baxter imbues a sense of possession and despair that is profoundly unsettling, while Julie Christie delivers convincing emotional breakdowns. Their performances are complemented by Pino Donaggio’s haunting soundtrack, which enriches the film's unsettling mood. The now-famous explicit sex scene between Sutherland and Christie remains strikingly realistic yet tastefully depicted.

This Blu-ray edition by Optimum Home Entertainment offers a mixed bag in terms of technical presentation. While the video quality could have been improved, it still provides noticeable advantages inherent to High Definition releases. The audio quality, though decent, might not meet all expectations. However, the disc shines in its supplemental features, including an array of insightful interviews and a making-of featurette. These extras enrich the viewing experience, particularly for fans and collectors who seek a deeper understanding of this seminal work. For newcomers, it remains essential viewing, despite its potentially divisive reception.

1. The Blu-ray transfer of "Don't Look Now" showcases a noteworthy restoration but falls short due to inconsistent visual quality. While some scenes exhibit sharpness and depth with accurate color reproduction, others suffer from excessive grain and softness, detracting from the viewing experience. The audio, however, impresses with a clear and immersive soundtrack that captures the film's haunting atmosphere perfectly.

2. Optimum Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release of "Don't Look Now" features a commendable restoration effort. The color grading accurately reflects the intended mood of the film, lending an eerie vibrancy to the scenes. However, the video quality is marred by occasional artifacts and uneven sharpness. The new bonus features included are a valuable addition, providing deeper insight into Nic Roeg's vision and the film's production.

3. "Don't Look Now" on Blu-ray offers a mixed bag in terms of AV quality. The film's restoration ensures a vivid color palette, but there are noticeable inconsistencies throughout with apparent grain and visual noise in darker scenes. The sound design is captured beautifully, enhancing the eerie ambiance of the film. The supplementary content is a strong highlight, offering a wealth of behind-the-scenes detail.

4. This release promises a pristine viewing experience of Nic Roeg's classic, but doesn't fully deliver. Some segments display excellent color correction and clarity, while others lack the same attention to detail with visible grain issues. The audio presentation is stellar, creating an intense and immersive environment. Bonus features are robust and informative, adding great value to the release.

5. While the Blu-ray presentation of "Don't Look Now" boasts impressive audio quality and extensive supplemental material, it is held back by its inconsistent visual presentation. The restoration work is admirable but doesn't escape flaws that detract from certain scenes. This mixed performance makes it advisable to rent before deciding on a purchase.

6. Despite high hopes for this Blu-ray release, "Don't Look Now" falls short in its visual execution. The restoration brings out vivid colors but struggles with maintaining sharpness throughout the film. Thankfully, the audio remains unaffected, with a crisp and atmospheric sound design that enhances the chilling narrative. The extras provided are well-curated and insightful.

Our Review: Optimum Home Entertainment and Studio Canal's Blu-ray release of "Don't Look Now" brings both commendable efforts and significant drawbacks. The restoration showcases vivid colors that align well with the film’s haunting narrative, providing an engaging visual experience in segments. However, there are uneven sharpness levels across different scenes, coupled with noticeable grain and artifacts that detract from the overall quality.

From an audio perspective, this release stands out positively with its clear and immersive soundtrack that encapsulates Nic Roeg's eerie atmosphere expertly. The supplemental features included in this Blu-ray edition are thorough and insightful, offering deeper contextual understanding of the film and its production, thus adding substantial value for enthusiasts.

Conclusion: It is obvious that Optimum Home Entertainment (and Studio Canal) wanted this Blu-ray release of Nic Roeg's legendary "Don't Look Now" to be a special one. Not only did the film undergo a meticulous restoration, but exclusive new supplemental features were also prepared for the Blu-ray release. This makes the issue addressed in the video section of our review that much more frustrating because this easily could have been one of the year's best releases. My advice to you is to rent it first and see how the film looks on your system before considering a purchase. RENT IT.