Fellini Satyricon Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Federico Fellini's "Fellini Satyricon" comes with a stunning 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 2.37:1, encoded with AVC MPEG-4. The video has been painstakingly restored from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. Under the meticulous supervision of director of photography Giuseppe Rotunno, the restoration leveraged advanced tools such as MTI's DRS, Pixel Farm's PFClean, and Digital Vision's Phoenix, ensuring that thousands of instances of dirt, scratches, and other imperfections were manually corrected. The image stability has been significantly enhanced, eradicating issues seen in MGM’s previous DVD release.

The film exhibits dramatic improvements in definition, contrast, and color reproduction. The superior contrast and image depth revitalize the film, allowing for vivid appreciation of Fellini's elaborate set designs and dreamlike sequences. Darker scenes now possess substantial depth, and panoramic scenes demonstrate exceptional fluidity. Although sharpness levels occasionally fluctuate due to specific stylistic choices, the overall sharpness and detail are highly commendable. Complete absence of problematic image enhancements or compression artifacts ensures that no digital processing detracts from the organic texture and integrity of the film.

Color rendering is another highlight of this release, with a balanced palette that includes both subdued hues and vibrant bursts of reds, oranges, and purples. The natural grain structure is well-preserved, contributing further to the rich, filmic quality of the picture. Despite minor and isolated instances of negligible specks, the print is nearly pristine. For its exceptional handling of color dynamics, contrast, and image stability, this Blu-ray presentation stands as a definitive home video release for "Fellini Satyricon," capturing the director’s unique vision of Ancient Rome with remarkable fidelity.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "Fellini Satyricon" is delivered through an Italian LPCM 1.0 mono track with optional English subtitles, which appear within the image frame. The restoration efforts have been commendable, with significant stabilization enhancements noticeable throughout the film. Dialogue and music are exceptionally balanced, providing a pleasing auditory experience despite fluctuations in depth in some sequences. Notably, this track retains Fellini's characteristic post-production dubbing, where dialogue often remains deliberately out of sync with the actors' lips, which adds an intended dreamlike disconnection to the narrative.

Distinct sound elements such as boisterous parties, crashing waves, and crumbling buildings are captured with solid fidelity and range, contributing to the immersive quality of the film's soundscape. The mix is invigorated by some consciously bizarre sound design choices, incorporating anachronistic sci-fi effects that further amplify the film's otherworldly ambiance. Fortunately, the track is devoid of any pops, crackles, background hiss, or digital distortions, ensuring a pristine auditory experience throughout. The English subtitles for the Latin and Neapolitan exchanges are omitted intentionally to preserve the authentic experience intended by Fellini.

Overall, the unique sound design, coupled with flawless technical execution, preserves the distinctively Felliniesque atmosphere, making this audio presentation both lively and evocative. The meticulous balance between dialogue, ambient sounds, and music underscores Fellini's striking visuals and contributes to a rich and cohesive auditory experience.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Fellini Satyricon" includes a commendable collection of extras that deepen the viewer's understanding of this ambitious film. The commentary is a unique adaptation of Eileen Lanouette Hughes' memoir, providing a thorough look into the production, casting, and the Italian director’s evolving vision. The documentary "Ciao, Federico!" gives unparalleled access to Fellini’s on-set direction during the movie’s filming, complete with candid moments and interactions. Supplementary interviews, including discussions with cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno and classical scholars Joanna Paul and Luca Canali, offer valuable insights into the film’s visual aesthetics and adaptation from Gaius Petronius' novel. Additionally, an interview with photographer Mary Ellen Mark captures behind-the-scenes photography, while an extensive gallery showcases a broad array of "Fellini Satyricon"-related memorabilia.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for "Fellini Satyricon."
• Commentary: Adaptation of Eileen Lanouette Hughes' memoir on the film’s production.
• Ciao, Federico!: 1970 documentary featuring archival footage and interviews.
• Fellini: Excerpts from interviews with Federico Fellini spanning French television and other sources.
• Giuseppe Rotunno: The cinematographer discusses his collaboration with Fellini.
• Fellini and Petronius: Documentary on the adaptation of the original novel by classical scholars.
• Mary Ellen Mark: Interview with the photographer who documented the film’s production.
• Felliniana: Gallery of posters, books, and other memorabilia.

"Fellini Satyricon" (1969) remains one of Federico Fellini's most audacious and visually striking works, brought to Blu-ray by Criterion. Loosely adapted from Gaius Petronius’ first-century satire, the film follows Encolpius (Martin Potter), Ascyltus (Hiram Keller), and Gitone (Max Born) through a series of surreal, episodic adventures in a fantastically reimagined Ancient Rome. As each bizarre episode unfolds, filled with explicit sexual encounters and graphic violence, the narrative eschews conventional logic and linear storytelling in favor of a fragmented, dream-like experience. Fellini described the film as a "documentary of a dream," and true to his word, it offers an intoxicating mix of nightmarish sequences and wildly imaginative visions.

The film's episodic structure and lack of traditional stars compel viewers to focus intently on the characters' faces, capturing every nuance of their joy, fear, ecstasy, and pain. Fellini's Rome is a visually overwhelming spectacle, heightened by Giuseppe Rotunno's exceptional cinematography that captures a decayed yet vibrant ancient world. The production design uses a striking palette of bold colors and drab hues, creating an eerie atmosphere accented by Nino Rota’s exotic, award-winning soundtrack. Non-professional actors add to the surreal aesthetic, their expressive portrayals enhancing the film’s carnival of grotesque desires.

“Fellini Satyricon” is not just a movie but a sensory overload; its visual opulence is matched by its thematic complexity. While some segments drag and the pacing can feel uneven, these irregularities enhance the film's unconventional and disorienting narrative. As the camera snakes through seemingly endless brothels or stages elaborate banquets, Fellini pulls viewers deeper into his chaotic vision — a place where sexuality, brutality, and class collide in a circus of primal urges and carnal decadence. Without traditional dramatic structure or clear resolutions, “Fellini Satyricon” revels in its subversive fragmentation, earning its subtitle by embodying Fellini’s truly unique cinematic language.

Federico Fellini's "Satyricon" stands as one of his most eccentric and visually arresting works, and Criterion's latest 4K restoration of this classic elevates its already famous dreamlike and surreal narrative to new heights. The disc's video transfer is nothing short of stunning, faithfully preserving the striking and grotesque imagery that defines the film. Every detail of Fellini's audacious vision is rendered with unparalleled clarity and vibrancy, making this Blu-ray edition a visual feast for fans and newcomers alike.

The audio track on this release perfectly complements the visual grandeur, highlighting the movie's unique sound design with remarkable fidelity. The complex soundscape, integral to enhancing the film's atmospheric depth, is captured brilliantly, ensuring an immersive auditory experience. Moreover, Criterion has enriched this release with a comprehensive selection of supplemental features. These new and archival additions provide invaluable insights into Fellini's creative process, shedding light on the artistic mind behind the extravagant and enigmatic storytelling.

Conclusion: Arguably the wildest and most eccentric of Federico Fellini's films, "Fellini Satyricon" has been beautifully restored in 4K and looks simply stunning in high-definition. Criterion's upcoming Blu-ray release also offers an outstanding selection of new and archival supplemental features that offer plenty of invaluable information about the great Italian director and his working methods. Indeed, it is only February, but this very impressive release already has a guaranteed spot on my Top Ten list. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.