Wings Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Wings" by Paramount showcases a superior restoration that preserves the film’s historical integrity while enhancing visual quality to a remarkable degree. The 1080p, 1.34:1-framed transfer ensures that the original visual experience remains intact, using vertical black bars to retain the film's intended aspect ratio. Beginning with a vibrant, high-definition Paramount logo sequence, the transition into the film's sepia overlay scenes is seamless. The imagery is punctuated by brief instances of black-and-white and blue-toned visuals, with vivid oranges highlighting the machine gun fire and fiery plane crashes. Fine details are robust, particularly on foreground elements such as costumes and facial textures, although background elements occasionally appear softer and slightly warped. The overall restoration reveals minimal signs of wear, featuring a visible but controlled grain structure that successfully transports viewers back in time.

Visually, "Wings" impresses with its flawlessly mastered sepia-toned and black-and-white sequences, offering a pristine visual experience free from the common pitfalls associated with silent films. Meticulous restoration has resulted in an image that captures impressive depth and immediacy, immersing viewers directly into the aerial battles and dramatic scenes. Instances of hand-painted yellow flames during crash sequences are vividly detailed, enhancing the dynamic battle visuals. Despite a few sporadic rough patches and the occasional missing frame—a common occurrence given the film’s age—the presentation maintains deep black levels and excellent contrast throughout. Shadow detail and texture are equally commendable; close-ups retain solid clarity even if they lean towards a slightly gauzy appearance characteristic of the era. This Blu-ray release is a testament to modern restorative technologies, delivering an enviable blend of historical fidelity and contemporary visual excellence.

The Blu-ray release of "Wings" offers an exceptional auditory experience, highlighted by two distinct soundtracks. The primary track, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 re-recorded score by J.S. Zamecnik, exquisitely orchestrated by Dominik Hauser and featuring pianist Frederick Hodges, is particularly noteworthy. This DTS presentation is lauded for its clarity and spaciousness, delivering crisp and clear instrumentation across a broad dynamic range. The inclusion of sound effects by Ben Burtt further enriches the soundstage with precision and authenticity—propellers whirring, machine gun fire crackling, and artillery shells whizzing by, all flawlessly integrated into the mix. These effects are not merely supplementary; they enhance the overall cinematic experience without detracting from the period ambiance, ensuring that even purists may appreciate this modern enhancement.

In addition to the 5.1 mix, the Blu-ray includes a Dolby Digital 2.0 track featuring a pipe organ score composed and performed by Gaylord Carter. Although not as immersive as the lossless DTS track, the organ accompaniment is clean and well-balanced, offering a distinct and traditional silent film experience devoid of unnecessary embellishments. Despite lacking the additional sound effects present in the DTS track, this organ rendition still stands out for its clarity and spacious sound.

Overall, the juxtaposition of these two soundtracks—the dynamic and encompassing DTS-HD MA 5.1 track and the more straightforward DD stereo organ score—provides viewers with compelling reasons to revisit "Wings." Each track shines in its own right, enhancing the film's legacy with contemporary audio technology while remaining faithful to its original silent film roots. This thoughtful presentation underscores the importance of quality audio in elevating the silent film genre.

The Blu-ray extras of "Wings" offer a compelling and detailed look behind the scenes of this silent classic, providing rich context and technical insights into its creation and restoration. "Wings: Grandeur in the Sky" delivers a thorough retrospective on the 1920s film industry landscape, production obstacles, and critical military support. Commentary from experts and Wellman's son highlight intricate production details, from casting to authentic aerial sequences. "Restoring the Power and Beauty of Wings" provides an engaging view of the painstaking restoration process, featuring stunning before-and-after comparisons and insights into the recreation of its score and sound effects. "Dogfight!" explores the evolution of wartime flight and the significance of World War I dogfights, appealing to aviation enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Wings: Grandeur in the Sky: In-depth retrospective on the film's production.
• Restoring the Power and Beauty of Wings: Detailed look at the restoration process.
• Dogfight!: Evolution of aerial combat during World War I.

"Wings" Blu-Ray Movie Review

"Wings" (1927) stands as a timeless testament to cinematic excellence, even after nearly a century since it first soared onto the silver screen. The film remarkably delivers on its promises of action, romance, and drama, seamlessly blending these elements into a narrative that’s both engaging and emotionally rich. The storyline centers on small-town rivals Jack Powell (Charles Rogers) and David Armstrong (Richard Arlen) vying for the affection of Sylvia Lewis (Jobyna Ralston), all while navigating the perils of World War I. Their rivalry shifts from romantic contention to an unbreakable bond of friendship as they become ace aviators in the U.S. Air Force. The impressive aerial sequences are notably groundbreaking, presenting intricate dogfights and in-flight visuals that remain astonishingly coherent and authentic. These scenes elevate the film to a level of modern-day continuity and authenticity, rarely seen in silent-era productions.

Director William A. Wellman’s meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout, particularly in the juxtaposition of in-flight and on-ground action, which achieves an impressive level of spatial continuity. Performances are deftly executed within the context of silent film norms, with Rogers and Arlen bringing nuanced emotional depth to their characters. Clara Bow’s portrayal of Mary Preston is both effervescent and poignantly vulnerable, reinforcing the film’s emotional core. The supporting cast, including a brief but memorable appearance by a young Gary Cooper, further solidifies the film’s impact. "Wings" is not just about grand spectacles but delves deeply into themes of valor, friendship, and the irreversible impacts of war, creating a well-rounded narrative that resonates even today.

The Blu-Ray restoration is a visual and auditory triumph. Utilizing a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video codec and defaulting to a DTS-HD Master Audio orchestral track (with an optional Dolby Digital 2.0 organ track for purists), this edition invites both new and returning audiences into its world with pristine clarity and sound. The synchronized orchestral score heightens each scene's emotional resonance, serving as an integral component that complements the film’s vibrant narrative structure. Overall, "Wings" successfully bridges its historical roots with contemporary viewing standards, offering an immersive experience that validates its foundational status in cinematic history.

The Blu-ray edition of "Wings" is a remarkable testament to the art of film restoration and a fitting tribute to the winner of the first Best Picture Academy Award. Paramount's efforts have resulted in an impressive 4:3 high-definition transfer that maintains the original film grain while enhancing clarity and detail, particularly notable in close-up shots and foreground elements. The digital recreation of tints and handschiegel effects shines brilliantly without any evident digital manipulation, preserving the film’s authenticity. The slight wear and tear remain, but do not detract from the viewing experience.

Two distinct soundtracks underscore the dual aspects of this cinematic treasure: a 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio re-recorded score by J.S. Zamecnik featuring pianist Frederick Hodges, and a DD stereo pipe organ score performed by Gaylord Carter. Both deliver immersive experiences, with the piano score additionally boasting sound effects from Ben Burtt that enhance the film's dynamic surroundings. Language support includes English intertitles and subtitles in French, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience.

Supplementary featurettes enrich the historical context of "Wings," including a 36-minute making-of documentary ("Wings: Grandeur in the Air"), a 15-minute restoration feature ("Restoring the Power and Beauty of Wings"), and a 13-minute exploration of World War I aerial combat recreation ("Dogfight!"). Although more extras would be appreciated given the film's historical significance, what is included provides valuable insight into its production and restoration journey.

Compare 1927's "Wings" to 2001's "Pearl Harbor"; there's a similarity in plot and action that's unmistakable. This comparison facilitates an eye-opening look into the evolution of cinematic craftsmanship. Despite technological advancements in visuals and sound, "Wings" demonstrates that compelling storytelling and character engagement remain the heart of cinematic success. Paramount’s meticulous restoration is a must-have for cinephiles, collectors, and casual viewers alike, making "Wings" very highly recommended.