The Phantom Carriage Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "The Phantom Carriage" presents an impressive 1080i transfer with an MPEG-4 encoding and an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The meticulous restoration work led by the Archival Film Collections of the Swedish Film Institute ensures remarkable visual quality. The resurgence of this classic was achieved by merging two source elements: an incomplete black-and-white nitrate print with Swedish intertitles and a color-tinted nitrate print with English intertitles. The restored black-and-white duplicate negative, completed in 1975, served as the basis for this digital transfer, created in 2K resolution using the ARRISCAN film scanner at Chimney Pot in Stockholm.

The restoration process included manual removal of thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker via MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system. Additionally, Digital Vision's Phoenix system further refined the image, reducing small dirt, grain, and noise. While occasional damage marks persist due to the original elements' limitations, they do not detract significantly from the presentation's overall integrity. The tinted footage, which uses colors like blue for night scenes, appears vibrant and rich, seamlessly blending with the grayscale content. The level of detail, clarity, contrast, and color reproduction on Criterion's Blu-ray far surpasses previous DVD releases.

Despite certain picture issues inherent to a film over 90 years old—such as missing frames, stains, scratches, and occasional flickering—the transfer's stability and visual fidelity are commendable. Instances like a hair in the frame during specific scenes can be noticed but are tolerable given the film's age. Image stabilizations effectively eradicate edge flicker seen in older transfers. Overall, this release underscores Criterion's commitment to preserving cinema history with technical precision and aesthetic sensitivity. It stands as a definitive presentation of Sjöström's silent masterpiece.

The Blu-ray release of "The Phantom Carriage" offers two distinct audio tracks: a DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0 for Matti Bye's chamber score and an LPCM 2.0 for KTL's experimental score. Both tracks offer compelling auditory experiences that cater to different tastes and preferences.

Matti Bye's chamber score, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0, provides a traditional orchestral experience, marked by crisp string sections and lightly accented clarinet solos. While the latter occasionally seem recessed in the mix, the overall track dynamics are undeniably strong. This score effectively reflects the on-screen emotions, creating a coherent emotional landscape that some might find more engaging and authentic for the narrative of a silent film.

On the other hand, KTL's experimental score, recorded in LPCM 2.0, dips into dark, ambient territories with a blend of electronic and drone sounds that significantly enhance the visual intensity. Despite its tendency to evoke a persistent sense of dread that may not always align with the scenes, it stands as a remarkable composition—arguably one of the best scores for a silent film. The LPCM 2.0 track handles dynamic amplitudes well, capturing the eerie atmospherics and lower-end frequencies to great effect, from wailing guitars to screeching electronic solos, providing a visceral auditory experience.

Each score brings a unique dimension to the film, appealing to either classic or contemporary sensibilities, thereby broadening the film's auditory appeal. Criterion’s inclusion of these diverse scores, coupled with English subtitles for Swedish intertitles, enhances the accessibility and enjoyment of this restored classic.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Phantom Carriage" provide a comprehensive and insightful exploration into the film's creation and its substantial influence on prominent filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman. Each feature is presented in high definition with optional English subtitles where necessary. The standout addition is the Commentary by Danish film historian Casper Tybjerg, who offers a detailed and informative analysis of the film's production, including an examination of the novel and special effects. The interview with Ingmar Bergman, excerpted from Gosta Werner's documentary, reveals the profound impact Victor Sjostrom had on his work. Film scholar Peter Cowie's video essay further delves into this relationship, adding valuable context for fans and scholars. Additionally, early archival footage captures the construction of Rasunda Studios, enhancing appreciation of the film's historical setting.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ingmar Bergman: A revealing interview excerpt on Bergman's admiration for Victor Sjostrom.
• The Bergman Connection: A video essay by Peter Cowie detailing Sjostrom's influence on Bergman.
• Construction of Rasunda Studios: Archival footage showcasing the studio's construction.
• Commentary: Casper Tybjerg’s detailed audio commentary on the film’s creation.
• Booklet: An illustrated booklet featuring Paul Mayersberg’s essay "Phantom Forms."

Victor Sjöström's The Phantom Carriage (1921) is an enduring classic of silent cinema, meticulously brought to fruition on Blu-ray by Criterion. The film, adapted from Nobel Prize-winning author Selma Lagerlöf’s 1912 novel "Körkarlen," opens on New Year's Eve with Sister Edit (Astrid Holm) dying of tuberculosis. Despite her imminent death, her concern lies with the welfare of David Holm (Victor Sjöström), an alcoholic whose path crossed briefly with hers. David, spending his evening drinking in a cemetery, dismisses an old legend about the last soul to die before midnight having to become Death’s assistant. Fatefully, David succumbs in a fight as the clock strikes twelve and is confronted by the Phantom Carriage, driving him to revisit key moments that led to his tormented state.

The narrative structure of The Phantom Carriage adeptly employs a series of long flashbacks revealing David’s descent from a happy family man to a desolate alcoholic. His reflections are evocative of a haunting A Christmas Carol-esque journey, showcasing the devastating impact of his actions on his loved ones. The gothic ambience of the film is masterfully interwoven with striking visuals and groundbreaking special effects that hold up remarkably well even after a century. Close-up shots emphasizing the characters' raw emotions instill a strong sense of realism, making their experiences deeply relatable.

Criterion's Blu-ray release stands out with exceptional quality, offering two diverging yet captivating scores: a traditional chamber orchestra score by Matti Bye and an experimental one by KTL blending electronica and ambient rock. These scores significantly enhance the film's atmosphere, arguably transforming its identity. This edition also includes insightful supplemental features such as an audio commentary by film historian Casper Tyberg and an essay by Paul Mayersberg, which collectively enrich the viewer's understanding of this seminal work.

Victor Sjostrom’s “The Phantom Carriage” receives a commendable Blu-ray edition, reflecting the meticulous care taken in its restoration. This silent film continues to inspire contemporary audiences and filmmakers alike, boasting atmospheric storytelling and profound emotional depth. The impeccable visual quality—which allows the film to appear as pristine as it ever has—and exemplary audio, particularly with KTL’s experimental score, highlight the exceptional efforts in preserving this cinematic gem.

Not merely a relic of early cinema, “The Phantom Carriage” demonstrates timeless appeal through its compelling narrative and enduring performances. The influence of the film on prestigious directors like Ingmar Bergman and its high praise from Charlie Chaplin underscore its significance in film history. This release ensures that modern viewers can experience it as intended, with improved clarity and sound enriching the viewing experience.

This Blu-ray release of “The Phantom Carriage” is undeniably a must-own for any serious collector or cinephile. The combination of historical importance, influential legacy, and technical excellence makes it one of the standout releases of the year. Its restoration sets a benchmark for how classic films should be treated, and it comes with our highest recommendation.