Ali: Fear Eats the Soul Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of “Ali: Fear Eats the Soul” impressively showcases a 4K restoration supervised by director of photography Jürgen Jürges, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p and maintaining the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The restoration process employed an ARRISCAN film scanner to digitize the original camera negative, achieving striking visual fidelity. The film displays exquisite clarity and fluidity, revealing details previously unseen in older releases, such as the visible facial pores in close-ups and the fine texture of intricate backgrounds.

The video presentation is clean, devoid of dirt and defects, with the hues retaining impressive vibrancy, especially notable in Emmi’s colorful dresses and the golden furniture at the outdoor restaurant. The color consistency extends to fleshtones and solid blacks, enhancing shadow delineation in key scenes, such as the detailed depiction of Emmi's apartment building interiors and the bar where Ali gambles. Grain structure remains intact and is exceptionally well-resolved, ensuring a rich, organic appearance throughout.

Overall image stability is outstanding with no scratches, debris, cuts, or any damage marks reported. This meticulous restoration results in a high-definition presentation that is both visually arresting and faithful to Fassbinder's original vision, making it a must-see for fans and a benchmark for Blu-ray transfers of classic films. Note that this Region-A locked release requires compatible playback equipment for viewing.

The audio presentation of "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" on this Blu-ray is characterized by its exclusive German LPCM 1.0 track, remastered at 24-bit from the original 17.5 mm magnetic track. Criterion's efforts have effectively eradicated any imperfections such as clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle using advanced tools such as Pro Tools HD, AudioCube's integrated workstation, and iZotope RX 3. Despite the film's limited use of music and its overall narrow dynamic range, the dialog remains exceptionally crisp, clean, and stable, making it very easy to follow. Moreover, there are no pop, crackle, audio dropouts, or digital distortions present in this transfer.

While the absence of a prominent music score results in limited dynamic movement, the dubbing process imparts a certain flatness to the dialogue, revealing some age but without any signs of wear or damage. This causes the dialogue not to blend seamlessly with environmental effects. The scenes featuring source music from a bar jukebox display limited fidelity further impacted by the restricted bass response and narrow dynamic range. Criterion has provided optional English subtitles to enhance the viewing experience for non-German speakers, which complements the overall stable and clear audio presentation.

The Blu Ray of "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" offers a compelling range of extras that are both insightful and historically rich. Noteworthy is the short film "Angst isst Seele auf" by Shahbaz Noshir, a poignant companion piece utilizing key collaborators from the original movie. Interviews with luminaries such as Todd Haynes and Brigitte Mira further deepen the contextual understanding of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s influence and directorial approach. Editor Thea Eymesz adds layers of technical insight into Fassbinder's filmmaking craft. Additionally, the "Omnibus" episode provides a broader exploration of the New German Cinema movement, offering an essential historical perspective. This comprehensive package is rounded out with the original trailer and a key scene from "The American Soldier," along with an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by Chris Fujiwara.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul."
• Angst isst Seele auf: A short film by Shahbaz Noshir, addressing similar themes.
• Todd Haynes: Archival interview discussing Fassbinder's influence.
• Brigitte Mira: Archival interview with the actress recalling her role and work with Fassbinder.
• Thea Eymesz: Archival interview with the editor on her collaborations with Fassbinder.
• Signs of Vigorous Life: New German Cinema: British TV program episode on the movement.
• From The American Soldier: Scene featuring a story related to "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul."
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with an essay by Chris Fujiwara and technical credits.

"Ali: Fear Eats the Soul," directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, is a compelling exploration of social taboos and interpersonal dynamics. The film tells the story of Emmi (Brigitte Mira), a 60-something German cleaning woman, who finds unexpected companionship with Ali (El Hedi ben Salem), a younger Moroccan immigrant. Fassbinder intricately weaves themes of racism, loneliness, and social alienation throughout the narrative, significantly amplifying the emotional resonance compared to Douglas Sirk's "All That Heaven Allows," which it's thematically reminiscent of. The vibrant yet somber cinematography by Jürgen Jürges accentuates this stark portrayal, casting a cold, somber hue over the world of Ali and Emmi that poignantly reflects their emotional landscape.

The film's meticulous attention to social criticism and its focus on the aftermath of post-war sentiments in Germany make it more than a mere love story. Fassbinder uses his characters to illuminate the hypocrisy and moral failures of society. Particular scenes, such as Emmi being ostracized by her co-workers or her neighbors' blatant racism towards Ali, are potent commentaries on societal norms. The direction and framing continuously highlight their isolation—such as Emmi sitting alone on the stairs behind a railing, visually imprisoned by societal prejudices. This creates an atmosphere that feels almost documentary-like in its authenticity, further supported by the sincere performances of Mira and Salem. Fassbinder's personal relationship with Salem during production adds another layer of sincerity to the story.

Moreover, "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" diverges from conventional narrative expectations by portraying love not as blissful escapism but as a complex, multi-faceted dynamic fraught with challenges. The interactions between Ali and Emmi are not overly romanticized; instead, they serve to fill voids left by a harsh, judgmental society. This raw presentation heightens the relatability of their experiences, grounding the film in a reality that many may find profoundly familiar. Criterion's Blu-ray edition preserves this masterpiece with notable clarity, making it an essential acquisition for connoisseurs of New German Cinema.

Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" is a masterclass in storytelling with profound social commentary, reflecting on timeless themes of love, prejudice, and alienation. The Blu-ray release captures the essence of its compelling narrative, paying homage to Douglas Sirk's "All That Heaven Allows." The high-definition restoration presents the film with remarkable visual clarity, effectively highlighting its poignant and strikingly beautiful cinematography. While the video quality is impressive, enhancing every frame with vibrancy and detail, the audio remains notably dated. Despite this limitation, the film's impact is undiminished due to its powerful storytelling and Fassbinder's evocative direction.

The supplemental materials are insightful, though some may find them lacking in originality since no new extras were specifically created for this release. Nevertheless, they provide an excellent exploration of the film's themes and Fassbinder’s visionary approach. These extras are invaluable for both new viewers and long-time fans, providing context and depth to a film that remains a significant narrative in world cinema. The Blu-ray boasts a strong transfer that accentuates the emotional depth and realism of this classic love story, making it a worthy addition to any cinephile’s collection.

In conclusion, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul" on Blu-ray is a vital acquisition for fans of world cinema. Though the audio quality may not meet modern standards, the visual restoration is splendid and the film's enduring message remains powerfully relevant. This release stands as a testament to Criterion’s commitment to preserving cinematic classics. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.