The Man in the White Suit Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the 1080p transfer of Alexander Mackendrick's The Man in the White Suit arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. This release derives from StudioCanal's Vintage Classics line, following an early 2K restoration initially introduced in the United Kingdom. The overall quality of the video presentation is robust, highlighted by notable depth, clarity, and fluidity that maintain their integrity on larger screens. The grain structure is exposed nicely, though it could benefit from being slightly more refined and pronounced. Notable efforts in stability are present, but further optimization could elevate the visual quality.

Sharpness is consistently excellent, with particularly impressive grayscale rendering, especially in black levels and contrast utilization. Occasional scratches and flicker are detectable, including a conspicuous scratch towards the film’s end; however, these do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. The restoration is commendable, although additional manual cleanup work and budget for modern enhancements could make meaningful improvements. This Region-A locked Blu-ray does not feature a chapter index on the main menu, yet the film is divided into 8 chapters.

Overall, while there are areas for potential enhancement, Kino Lorber's rendition of The Man in the White Suit offers a solid visual experience that aligns well with its original theatrical presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "The Man in the White Suit" features a single audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. For accessibility, English SDH subtitles are available for the main feature. This format offers exceptional clarity, sharpness, and depth in audio presentation, with dialogue being particularly easy to follow. The age of the recording does introduce a slight unevenness in elements such as chamber music, notably around the 01:20:01 mark, but these issues are inherent to the original recording. Importantly, there are no audio dropouts or distortions present.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix typifies its era with a limited range on both ends of the aural spectrum. Nevertheless, it effectively combines Sidney’s experimental sound effects—characterized by whimsical blurps and bloops—with Benjamin Frankel’s score and other sound effects. This integration with clear and comprehensible dialogue results in a well-rounded and faithful audio experience. Notably, any age-related anomalies, such as hiss, have been meticulously addressed, ensuring a clean listening experience throughout.

The Blu-ray release of "The Man in the White Suit" includes a commendable array of extras that deliver a comprehensive appreciation of both the film and its historical context. The highlight of these is the featurette "Revisiting The Man in the White Suit," where director Stephen Frears and notable film historians discuss the film's unique qualities and Mackendrick's directorial legacy. However, the audio commentary by Dr. Dean Brandum is less impressive, marred by a mundane and hesitant delivery. Despite small technical limitations in some features, such as non-HD trailers, the collection effectively enriches the viewer’s understanding of this classic.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for "The Man in the White Suit."
• Revisiting The Man in the White Suit: Insights from Stephen Frears and film historians.
• Audio Commentary: Dr. Dean Brandum on the film's themes and relevance.
• Additional Trailers: From Kino Lorber’s catalog: "Kind Hearts and Coronets," "The Lavender Hill Mob," and "The Captain's Paradise."

Alexander Mackendrick's "The Man in the White Suit" (1951) is a masterfully crafted Ealing Studios production, arriving on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. This film represents a quintessential blend of satirical social commentary and comedic narrative. Alec Guinness stars as Sidney Stratton, a chemist on a relentless quest to invent an indestructible, dirt-resistant fabric. Stratton's obsession and scientific rigor drive him from lab to lab until his groundbreaking creation is celebrated by his employer, Mr. Birnley (Cecil Parker). However, the fabric's perfection soon incites panic amongst the textile industry magnates and labor unions alike, fearing the catastrophic economic ramifications of such an imperishable material.

Mackendrick, along with screenwriters Roger MacDougall and John Dighton, adeptly balances wit and farce while delving into the deeper implications of industrial progress. The narrative takes time to build, with Stratton's first successful experiment occurring around 25 minutes in, preceded by a series of humorously explosive failed attempts. As the story progresses, various actors within the industry—capitalists and workers—converge to confront Stratton, leading to intense debates about economic dependency and social stability.

Alec Guinness delivers an engrossing performance as the single-minded scientist committed to his ideals, stubbornly refusing lucrative offers to sell his invention. Joan Greenwood provides a delightful contrast as Daphne Birnley, Mr. Birnley's progressive daughter, who admires Sidney's ideals despite their conflict with her father's interests. Supporting performances from Ernest Thesiger as the repelled Sir John Kierlaw and Vida Hope as a union organizer also add significant weight to the narrative. The film is visually enhanced by the pristine Blu-ray presentation, ensuring this thought-provoking classic continues to resonate with modern audiences.

The Man in the White Suit, directed by Alexander Mackendrick, stands as one of Alec Guinness' most remarkable performances, providing a clever blend of comedy and socio-economic commentary. This Ealing Studio classic intriguingly explores themes of progress and its potential drawbacks on industrialized societies. Questions about the actual benefits of technological advancements and the delicate balance of supply-and-demand systems are as relevant today as they were at the film's original release.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray edition features a high-quality transfer sourced from StudioCanal’s strong 2K restoration, originally introduced in the UK. The visual presentation is commendable, capturing the nuanced cinematography and pristine imagery that black-and-white films can uniquely offer. The audio fidelity, matching the visual excellence, ensures that dialogue and background scores are crisp and clear, encapsulating the film's vintage charm while enhancing modern viewing experiences.

Conclusively, The Man in the White Suit is not only a must-have for Ealing fans but also stands as a highly recommended blind buy for any cinema aficionado. Its thoughtful probing into economic dilemmas couched in a comedic framework makes it an enduringly relevant piece of cinema. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release is a definitive version to own, delivering an exceptional balance of visual integrity and historical context. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.