How the West Was Won Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "How the West Was Won" represents a monumental effort to restore the unique Cinerama viewing experience for home audiences, overcoming the historic challenges associated with transferring a film initially designed for a three-panel presentation. Warner Bros has meticulously scanned each of the original negatives at 2K resolution and digitally assembled them, crafting a 6K image to achieve a seamless single image with an ultra-wide aspect ratio of 2.89:1. This process has significantly minimized the visibility of join lines between the panels, a notorious issue with previous home video releases, providing long stretches where these lines disappear altogether. However, anomalies such as slight flickering, vertical seams, and a somewhat warping effect towards the image's sides remain, inherent to the original Cinerama production.

Two distinct video transfers are offered: a traditional flat Letterbox version and a Smilebox version designed to mimic the curved screen of Cinerama theatres. The Letterbox version presents a sliver more image on either side due to Warner's decision to scan the negatives from edge to edge, while the Smilebox format, although introducing a unique curvature to the presentation, reduces the fisheye effect observed in the flat presentation but does not eliminate it entirely. Despite these differences, both versions display breathtaking depth, vivid colors, and impressive detail, thanks to the Cinerama process's expansive film negative area. The restoration also includes digital repair work to remove scratches, dirt, and other age-related defects, although some imperfections remain.

The film's Blu-ray rendition showcases the technological advancements in video restoration, delivering sharpness and clarity that vastly improve upon previous home market releases. Bright and solid colors bring vivacious life to scenes, and while digital noise reduction (DNR) has rendered the picture almost grain-free, it preserves the film's historical integrity. Warner's innovative use of digital software for camera alignment and image linearity addresses many of the issues inherent in the Cinerama format. However, some viewers might notice a slight softness in certain scenes, underscoring that despite the remarkable fidelity of this release to its source material, the tactile detail of Cinerama's original splendor has been partially but not entirely recaptured.

The audio presentation of "How the West Was Won" on Blu-ray offers an intriguing, if not entirely successful, attempt to bring the vintage Cinerama sound experience to the home theater environment. Originally crafted for a unique seven-channel audio setup in theaters, with five channels across the front and two surrounds, the compromise to a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (and its lossy Dolby Digital counterpart) format is notable. The effort to adapt this expansive soundscape is commendable, yet the translation from the original seven-channel configuration into 5.1 seems to lose some of the auditory splendor that defined the Cinerama experience. Despite the limitations of current home audio technology to fully recapture the original auditory presentation, the Blu-ray's sound mix does manage to showcase the film's majestic score, immersing viewers in orchestral sweeps that complement the epic narrative.

However, the audio mix is not without its flaws. Dialogues suffer from inconsistency, often being overshadowed by the score or environmental sounds, leading to a frequent necessity for volume adjustment. The dynamic range feels imbalanced, with music and some sound effects coming through much louder than spoken words. Though ambient and directional effects aim to utilize the surround channels, their implementation feels underwhelming, sparingly adding depth to the film’s auditory landscape. Notably, the bass response expected in scenes of vigorous action – like stampeding buffalo or crashing waves – is disappointingly weak, failing to deliver the impactful, low-frequency emphasis that such visuals promise.

In essence, while "How the West Was Won" offers a grand auditory experience through its music and thematic soundscapes, it falters in delivering a consistent and engaging audio mix. The limitations in recreating the original Cinerama sound field for home viewing are evident, impacting dialogue clarity and sound effect definition. The Blu-ray's audio presentation, while an ambitious effort to honor the film's historical significance, ultimately presents a mixed bag of technical achievements and missed opportunities to fully immerse viewers in the expansive world of the American frontier as it was meant to be heard.

The Blu-ray extra presentation of "How the West Was Won" offers an appreciable mix of technical insights and historical context, especially notable for enthusiasts of the Cinerama process and film restoration. The standout feature is the "Cinerama Adventure" documentary, providing a comprehensive history of the Cinerama technology that is both educational and entertaining, meriting the purchase alone. An engaging audio commentary adds depth, featuring experts like David Strohmaier and Rudy Behlmer sharing their passion and knowledge, making it a rare commentary that rivals the film itself in interest. The inclusion of a SmileBox version attempts to recreate the curved-screen experience, a noble yet divisive effort that may not suit all tastes but showcases the Blu-ray's dedication to authenticity. However, the release feels slightly diminished by the absence of some physical collectibles and features found in previous DVD editions, making it a mix of significant historical insight marred by slight content omissions.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: A detailed commentary track including insights from key figures associated with the film and Cinerama.
• Cinerama Adventure: A documentary offering an in-depth look at the history and impact of the Cinerama process.
• SmileBox Presentation: An exclusive feature attempting to mimic the original curved Cinerama experience.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage trailer demonstrating the restoration quality compared to previous versions.

"How the West Was Won," while not reaching the narrative depths or artistic peaks of films like "The Searchers," remains a monumental achievement in cinematic history, particularly for its pioneering use of the Cinerama process. Designed to pull audiences away from their television sets and back into the movie theater, it offered an experience that was both unique and grandiose. Its sprawling narrative, while critiqued for lacking in intricate character development and historical accuracy, ambitiously covers multiple facets of American frontier history through the lives of the Prescott/Rawlings family. Despite its vast scope resulting in a somewhat episodic and disjointed structure, the film's ambition and scale cannot be understated. The everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to storytelling complements its status as a visual spectacle, making it a significant, if not entirely cohesive, viewing experience.

The technical feats achieved with the Blu-ray release are noteworthy; Warner's meticulous restoration brings this epic to life with stunning video and audio quality. Besides optimizing the film for modern home theaters without compromising its original Cinerama presentation (offered in both a traditional 2.89:1 aspect ratio and a SmileBox format mirroring the curved screen experience), the package is an enthusiast's dream. It includes a rich array of extras such as a comprehensive photobook that contains not just film stills but invaluable production notes and trivia that highlight the unparalleled ambition behind the movie's creation—from its costume design's authenticity to its complex multi-director production process.

The significance of "How the West Was Won" transcends its narrative shortcomings, serving as a landmark in cinematic technology and a testament to the film industry's capacity for grandeur. Despite the logistical challenges inherent in its production, involving multiple directors and a broad cast including James Stewart, Gregory Peck, and Debbie Reynolds, the film delivers a plethora of iconic Western moments. Its portrayal as more of an illustrated history lesson than a conventional movie underscores its intention: to wow audiences with its visual richness and sweeping depiction of American expansion, rather than with deep storytelling. Unique in its approach and unforgettable in its presentation, especially when viewed in its intended Cinerama format, it underscores an era where cinema aimed to offer an unrivaled sensory journey, a feat less common in today’s cinematic landscape.

The Blu-ray release of "How the West Was Won" garners mixed feelings due to its combination of spectacular visual restoration and less-than-impressive sound quality. Warner Bros has done an exemplary job in addressing the inherent challenges posed by the Cinerama format, presenting the film with a clarity that substantially diminishes the format's traditional drawbacks. The astounding wide-angle scenes are beautifully captured, creating an immersive experience despite the presence of large black bars that may distract some viewers. The meticulous care in transferring the film to Blu-ray highlights the technical capabilities and dedication of Warner to preserving cinematic history. However, the sound quality of this package does not match its visual splendor, leaving much to be desired in this critical aspect of film enjoyment.

The selection of extras provided adds significant value, with a focus on quality rather than quantity. The inclusion of an informed commentary, a captivating documentary, and an alternate version of the film enhances the viewing experience and offers rich insights into the creation and significance of "How the West Was Won". These features are particularly appealing to Western genre enthusiasts and cinephiles interested in the technical evolution of film. Despite these strengths, the Blu-ray set seems to stand in the shadow of other Warner Bros catalog titles that boast better narrative and character development.

In conclusion, while "How the West Was Won" Blu-ray release showcases Warner Bros' commitment to technical excellence and historical preservation, it is somewhat let down by its audio presentation and overshadowed by films with stronger storytelling elements. Nevertheless, for those captivated by the allure of the Wild West, cinematic history buffs, or fans of the specific advancements like Cinerama, this release remains an important addition to their collection. The set serves not just as entertainment but as a portal to a pivotal era in filmmaking, meriting special recognition for its visual treatment and educational value through its extras.