A Face in the Crowd Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and featuring a stunning 1080p transfer, Elia Kazan's "A Face in the Crowd" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The new digital transfer was meticulously crafted in 4K resolution using a Lasergraphics Director film scanner sourced from the 35mm original camera negative. The restoration process employed MTI Film’s DRS for dirt and debris removal and Digital Vision’s Phoenix for jitter and flicker correction. The result is a significant quality upgrade compared to the previous Warner Bros. DVD release.

The 4K remaster showcases superior contrast, clarity, and grayscale variance, providing deep black levels, clean whites, and a sharp image that does justice to Kazan’s cinematic vision. The crisp close-ups and excellent shadow delineation enhance the film’s visual storytelling, while fine details and nuances, especially in darker scenes, are preserved with remarkable fidelity. The film maintains an organic, film-like appearance thanks to the light grain structure, without any unnecessary digital alterations like sharpening or degraining. While some transitions may appear slightly ragged and a few scenes soft, these minor issues do not detract from the overall exceptional quality of the transfer.

Overall image stability and fluidity are noticeably improved in this Blu-ray release, particularly for those using projection systems. The film has been divided into 34 chapters and is presented as region-A locked. With no nicks, marks, or scratches marring the pristine source material, "A Face in the Crowd" on Blu-ray is a testament to Criterion's commitment to preserving classic cinema with unparalleled expertise and care.

The audio presentation of "A Face in the Crowd" on Blu-ray is commendably handled with an English LPCM 1.0 mono track. Optional English SDH subtitles are available for the main feature. The audio is clean and stable throughout, delivering excellent clarity and depth. Notably free from transfer issues or inherited anomalies, the dynamic activity within the soundscape is impressive, especially given the organic nature of much of the footage.

The LPCM mono track ensures well-modulated, clear sound absent of any age-related hiss, pops, or crackle, even during quieter scenes. The music score benefits significantly from a wide dynamic range that adeptly manages highs and lows without distortion, ensuring all dialogue is easily comprehensible. Tom Glazer’s music and sound effects are combined with balanced perfection, maintaining era-appropriate authenticity and leaving no trace of problems such as flutter or hum.

This uncompressed PCM 1.0 mix not only remains loyal to the film's period but also enhances the viewing experience through meticulous sound engineering. The overall audio quality is excellent, heightening the immersion of the narrative while respecting the film's historical context. The balance between dialogue, music, and sound effects showcases a remarkable attention to detail, ensuring a stellar auditory experience for viewers.

The extras included with the Blu-ray release of "A Face in the Crowd" offer a comprehensive and insightful exploration into the film's historical and cultural context, the talents behind its creation, and its lasting impact. Through expert commentary and archival footage, viewers gain a nuanced understanding of Elia Kazan’s controversial career and the role "A Face in the Crowd" played in it. Contributions from esteemed historians and biographers further enrich this inquiry, delivering an absorbing package that juxtaposes Kazan's political conflicts with the narrative of the film. Despite the absence of an audio commentary track, each included featurette is high-quality and adds significant value to this classic film’s contextual appreciation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A remastered vintage trailer for "A Face in the Crowd."
• Facing the Past: Archival documentary focusing on Elia Kazan's political activities.
• Ron Briley: Analysis of Kazan's social and political background.
• Evan Dalton Smith: Examination of Andy Griffith’s early career.
• Booklet: A 30-page illustrated booklet with essays and profiles.

Elia Kazan's 1957 film, "A Face in the Crowd," presented in this Criterion Blu-ray edition, remains a searing exploration of the corrupting influence of media and its manipulators. Through the story of Lonesome Rhodes, a character masterfully embodied by Andy Griffith in a departure from his later wholesome image, Kazan critiques the rise of demagoguery facilitated by television—a medium still nascent at the time but already showing its capacity for mass manipulation. Rhodes, discovered by radio producer Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) in an Arkansas drunk tank, ascends from local radio fame to national TV stardom, wielding his influence to sell products and sway political opinions. This cautionary tale is a testament to Kazan's prophetic understanding of media power, an understanding that feels disturbingly prescient in today's media landscape.

The film's narrative is sharply constructed by the script from Budd Schulberg, whose earlier experiences with the House Un-American Activities Committee inevitably color the story’s themes of betrayal and manipulation. Kazan's direction, punctuated by brutally close-up shots, emphasizes the raw, unrefined nature of Rhodes' charisma and duplicity. The supporting cast, including Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, and Walter Matthau, bolsters the central performance with nuanced portrayals of individuals caught in or opposing Rhodes' wake. Neal delivers a poignant performance as Jeffries, whose complex relationship with Rhodes underscores her struggle between professional success and personal morality.

Technically, this Criterion release is notable for its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and LPCM mono audio encoding, enhancing the film's impactful cinematography while preserving its original sound integrity. The supplementary features enrich the viewer's understanding with archival interviews and in-depth analyses, complemented by a comprehensive 30-page booklet featuring critical essays and period profiles. Ultimately, "A Face in the Crowd" is an enduringly relevant critique of media dynamics and celebrity culture, offering a chillingly accurate portrayal of how easily publics can be swayed by a manipulative persona wielding a powerful platform.

"A Face in the Crowd" remains an arresting, shockingly relevant examination of media and political manipulation. Directed by Elia Kazan, and brought to life by Budd Schulberg's incisive script, this film portrays the rapid rise and catastrophic fall of Lonesome Rhodes, a wandering country singer turned media demagogue. This searing narrative critiques the symbiosis between television and advertising, demonstrating society's susceptibility to charismatic figures. Criterion's release, featuring a superb 4K restoration, accentuates the film’s enduring potency and vital message.

This Blu-ray presentation is distinguished by its pristine visual quality, offering an exceptionally detailed picture that captures Kazan’s directorial craftsmanship. The audio has been meticulously restored, providing clarity that complements the narrative's biting dialogue. Additional supplements enrich the viewing experience, offering critical insights into the film's production and its unwavering relevance in contemporary society.

What exactly has changed since the theatrical premiere of Elia Kazan's "A Face in the Crowd"? Well, the merger between the political class and the media machine is practically complete, which means that the elitists have a firmer grip on the type of information that is dispatched to the masses. With the expansion of the internet and the centralization of its traffic management, now the same people can even determine precisely how and when the information is consumed by the masses. In other words, the players and the refs are on the same team. It is too bad that the model Kazan describes in the film while chronicling the rise and fall of the charismatic drifter Lonesome Rhodes wasn't seen as a big warning sign when it mattered because its precision is nothing short of astonishing. Criterion's upcoming release is sourced from a top-notch new 4K restoration, and unless a 4K Blu-ray release emerges further down the road, it will remain the definitive presentation of this classic film on the home video market. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.