The Barefoot Contessa Blu-ray Review

Eureka! Entertainment presents "The Barefoot Contessa" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. While the Blu-ray presentation is an overall improvement compared to earlier DVD releases, it does exhibit occasional anomalies. The film's palette, when at its best, appears nicely suffused and largely accurate, though some scenes experience fluctuations in color temperature, shifting towards peach tones intermittently before stabilizing. There are repeated registration issues leading to minor fringing, particularly noticeable in certain sequences like the screening room scenes. Furthermore, both the bookending funeral scenes and some interstitials display a somewhat anemic palette with a slight purple skew and less consistent clarity.

On the technical front, the 35mm print has been retained well with a beautiful film-grain structure. Clarity and sharpness are outstanding as the visual presentation does justice to the Technicolor origins of the film, evoking a canvas-like quality. Black levels remain consistent and deep without crushing, while colors are richly reproduced, at times resembling watercolor or pastel paintings. Flesh tones, on the other hand, appear natural though they lean warm in some scenes, likely a reflection of the sun's influence on fairer-skinned actors during production. Despite these minor intricacies, there are only a few instances of dirt and artifacts present, none of which are intrusive.

Overall, while some image issues like color skewing and registration fringing persist, "The Barefoot Contessa" largely benefits from this Blu-ray release with improved depth and contrast levels. The presentation's palette can be erratic but richly detailed, making this edition a substantial upgrade while preserving the film’s classic essence.

The audio presentation of "The Barefoot Contessa" on Blu-ray offers DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Mono tracks, though the LPCM track is inaccurately labeled as Stereo. The general consensus among reviewers is to avoid the 5.1 surround track due to its lackluster contribution to the overall sound experience. Notably, Humphrey Bogart’s narration through the 5.1 mix sounds distant, somewhat diminishing the immersive experience. Conversely, the LPCM 2.0 track does an admirable job of capturing the film's limited sonic ambitions, ensuring that dialogue and musical elements are supported without any issues.

With a focus on technical specifications, it's evident that the LPCM 2.0 track—which operates at 24kHz/24-bit—provides a richer and more expansive sound field compared to the 5.1 track. The latter tends to feel thin and underwhelming, particularly in its low-frequency extension and rear surround channels. These shortcomings make the LPCM 2.0 a more suitable choice for this film, especially given its front-loaded nature; while the 5.1 track offers only ambient sound in the rear channels. Dialogue reproduction on both tracks remains clean and crisp, with every spoken word coming through clearly, thus maintaining a high standard of fidelity for vocal elements.

Furthermore, viewers who employ optional subtitles should be aware of occasional discrepancies between the on-screen text and the spoken dialogue. For instance, an early scene where Maria mentions Kirk owning Texas is altered in the subtitles to "owns Wall Street," a change that might confuse some audiences. Despite these minor issues, the LPCM 2.0 track represents the best audio experience for this Blu-ray release, enhancing both the musical and dialogue aspects effectively.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Barefoot Contessa" provide insightful and engaging additional content. The standout feature is the audio commentary by film historians Julie Kirgo and David Del Valle. Their commentary balances expert analysis with a fan's enthusiasm, making it both informative and enjoyable. Additionally, this release includes the original theatrical trailer and a collector’s booklet featuring a new essay by Glenn Kenny and rare archival material. These extras enhance the viewing experience by offering both historical context and passionate discussion about the film.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Insightful commentary by Julie Kirgo and David Del Valle. Trailer: Original theatrical trailer. Collector’s Booklet: New essay by Glenn Kenny and rare archival material.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s "The Barefoot Contessa" attempts to mirror the success of "All About Eve" by offering a critical view of the movie industry, albeit with mixed results. While the film lacks the scathing wit of its predecessor, it compensates with strong performances, particularly from Edmund O'Brien, who earned an Academy Award for his role as the anxious publicist Oscar Muldoon. Much of the story unravels in flashbacks narrated by the washed-up director Harry Dawes, played by Humphrey Bogart, whose internal struggles and professional resurgence form a compelling backdrop for the narrative. Ava Gardner shines as Maria Vargas, a charismatic lounge singer turned film star, around whom the plot revolves.

Eureka's designation of "The Barefoot Contessa" as a bittersweet satire is partly accurate, though the film’s leaning toward melodrama complicates this classification. The amped-up romantic subplot involving Maria and a European count strays into Douglas Sirkian melodramatic territory, leading to an overly dramatic climax that feels contrived rather than cathartic. The film's progression from quasi-satirical Hollywood insider commentary to glossy fairy tale, albeit with unsettling undercurrents, makes for an often engaging though emotionally distant viewing experience.

Shot entirely in Italy, "The Barefoot Contessa" boasts grand production values that amplify its sweeping, genre-blending narrative. The film intertwines elements of comedy, drama, gangster lore, and romance into a richly textured cinematic tapestry. While some directorial choices, including a series of vignettes featuring Maria’s audience, appear odd or disconnected, the film remains scenic and memorable. It offers a nostalgic look at Hollywood through an evocative lens, though it misses the biting edge typical of Mankiewicz’s works. Masters of Cinema’s Blu-ray presentation does justice to the film’s visual splendor, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to experience the grandeur and complexity of this mid-century classic.

"The Barefoot Contessa" Blu-ray offers an engaging viewing experience with its beautifully restored video and top-notch audio quality. The Masters of Cinema release excels in visual fidelity, preserving the lush European locations and the classic Hollywood glamour that Joseph L. Mankiewicz intended to depict. Despite a few minor video hurdles, the overall presentation remains impressive. The original mono audio provides an immersive soundtrack that enhances the cinematic experience, though it's important to note that the special features included are somewhat limited.

The film stands out for its compelling performances by the entire cast, notably Mari Aldon's portrayal as one of Kirk's entourage. The plot, centered around Maria's rise to stardom, juxtaposes her glamorous life with underlying personal turmoil, creating a narrative that's both melodramatic and thematically rich. Mankiewicz's direction seeks to critique Hollywood's superficial allure, though it may come across as overly dramatized at times.

In conclusion, "The Barefoot Contessa" remains a captivating classic that is beautifully represented in this Blu-ray release. Though the special features are sparse and the video encounters some minor issues, the film's strong performances and Mankiewicz's unique vision make it a worthwhile addition to any collection. However, potential buyers should note the region B-lock and ensure they have compatible playback equipment. Ultimately, this release is recommended for both film enthusiasts and collectors alike.