Boom! Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Boom!" presents an admirable video quality that showcases its vibrant cinematography and stunning costume design in all their glory. Utilizing an AVC encoded image with the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this transfer amplifies the film's visual strengths despite its age and inherent cinematographic limitations. The brightness of the locations is well-retained, giving an excellent sense of depth and spatial awareness. The transfer effectively highlights character ornamentation and costuming, bringing out the billowy cottons and smooth silks that are central to the production’s visual aesthetic. Facial textures are finely detailed, reflecting the wear and tear on the actors' faces authentically. The color palette is satisfactory, with vibrant works of art and the cool blues of open water adding to the visual appeal. Additionally, makeup hues, particularly deep reds, are accentuated beautifully.

Shout! Factory’s meticulous transfer work is evident, as it surpasses previous viewings of 35mm prints in both color and lighting fidelity. While some minor speckling, scratches, and hairs are present, these imperfections do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. The source used for this Blu-ray edition appears to be largely free from major damage, contributing to a clean and engaging presentation that honors the film's original visual intentions. This transfer ensures that every intricate detail, from set designs to the nuanced color schemes, is perfectly preserved, making it a significant upgrade for both new viewers and longtime fans of "Boom!".

The audio presentation of "Boom!" on Blu-ray features a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. While age-related issues are somewhat apparent, with noticeable volume fluctuations and occasional flattening in the voice dubbing, these do not severely detract from the listening experience. Dialogue remains clear and easy to follow, effectively conveying the film's sense of hostility. The score by John Barry, although lacking in crispness, successfully sets the intended moods, and the atmospherics are indeed pronounced, particularly with the persistent sound of crashing waves throughout the film.

Hiss can be detected intermittently, which is to be expected given the production limitations of the era. However, the overall clarity of the audio—capturing dialogue, music, and ambient sounds such as waves crashing against rocks—provides a satisfactory experience. Despite the imperfections, the track maintains a level of authenticity that aligns with the original sound design, preserving the essence of the film’s soundscape.

The extras on the Blu-ray disc of "Boom!" offer a fascinating exploration of this eccentric film. Filmmaker John Waters provides an engaging audio commentary, full of wit and personal anecdotes. Waters celebrates the film's peculiarities, providing a humorous and insightful take on its production and the Richard Burton-Elizabeth Taylor collaboration. "The Sound of a Bomb," featuring film critic Alonso Duralde, is an essential interview presenting production context, behind-the-scenes tales, and Duralde's personal connection to "Boom!" Richly detailed photo galleries and a theatrical trailer complete this robust extras package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by John Waters: Filled with wit, production insights, and personal anecdotes.
• The Sound of a Bomb: Interview with Alonso Duralde offering production context and personal stories.
• Color Photo Gallery: Film stills, publicity shots, and behind-the-scenes images.
• Black & White Photo Gallery: Additional film stills, publicity shots, and BTS images.
• Publicity and Promotion Photo Gallery: Poster art, press kit pages, newspaper ads, and more.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for promotional context.

"Boom!" (1968), adapted from Tennessee Williams's play, "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore," is a film that invites polarized reactions. Starring Elizabeth Taylor as the wealthy recluse Sissy Goforth and Richard Burton as the enigmatic Christopher Flanders, it offers a visual spectacle with its extravagant set design and lush Italian locations. However, the film struggles with its identity, oscillating between art-house languor and melodramatic chaos. The screenplay, known for its Williams-unique quirks, is filled with impulsive tangents and philosophical musings on life and death. This makes "Boom!" challenging to both interpret and endure, though it remains captivating for its bizarrely opulent aesthetic and camp appeal.

The film's casting is a study in contrast and arguably misalignment. Elizabeth Taylor, despite a legacy of health issues, embodies Goforth with a shrill vigor that borders on the grating, lacking the gravitas the role demands. Her portrayal oscillates between petulant rants and unintentional comedy, an unfortunate departure from Williams’s original vision. Richard Burton, tasked with portraying a young stud poet, visibly struggles against his real-life middle age, though his commanding voice and presence are undeniable. The performance of Noel Coward as the Witch of Capri adds to the menagerie of eccentricities, delivering a scenery-chewing turn that underscores the film's grotesque comedic elements.

Joseph Losey’s direction further complicates the film’s tonal consistency. Known for his work in various genres post-Hollywood blacklisting, Losey’s treatment of "Boom!" raises questions of intentionality. His decision to reformulate Coward’s character from female to male and the infusion of bizarre comedic undertones suggest a deliberate embrace of camp. Yet, Taylor’s unintentionally ironic delivery and Burton’s steadfast solemnity muddy the waters. Overall, "Boom!" presents an uneven yet fascinating tableau that oscillates unpredictably between unhinged comedy and earnest drama, making it a curious artifact of 1960s cinema.

"Boom!" is a fascinating cinematic endeavor that revels in a plethora of intense emotions and excessive stylization. The film, often criticized for its meandering plot and seemingly disjointed scenes, provides a peculiar theatrical experience that oscillates between captivating and exhausting. Reported to have been helmed by stars battling addiction, the narrative frequently zigs and zags amidst a landscape lush with fury and confusion, challenging the viewer's patience and resilience. For those with an appetite for camp and peculiar cinema, "Boom!" offers moments of guilty pleasure.

The cinematography by Douglas Slocombe is unequivocally the film’s crowning glory. Every frame is a masterpiece of visual artistry, capturing an ethereal, almost surreal ambiance set against real-world backdrops. Slocombe's work lends the film a distinctively otherworldly aura, making it a visual feast worth savoring repeatedly. Tennessee Williams himself hailed "Boom!" as the finest adaptation of his works. While this assertion might not align with general consensus, it's undeniable that the movie’s lavish style reflects Williams' vision for his plays to be treated with non-naturalistic, expressionistic flourishes.

In conclusion, "Boom!" stands as a polarizing piece of cinema—equally likely to mesmerize as it is to exasperate. It’s a film that requires a certain predisposition to appreciate its unique artistic choices and to forgive its narrative shortcomings. For those willing to embrace its offbeat charm and luxuriate in its visual splendor, "Boom!" offers an unforgettable journey into avant-garde filmmaking. However, if this particular brand of excess does not resonate early on, enduring the full runtime may indeed become a grueling endeavor.