Gypsy Blu-ray Review

Warner's 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer of "Gypsy" leverages the HD master from the 2009 DVD release but incorporates additional work to enhance its suitability for Blu-ray. The result is a visually stunning presentation that does justice to Harry Stradling, Sr.'s Oscar-nominated cinematography, capturing brilliant colors—especially reds and greens—and offering a crisply detailed image. The focus remains sharp even in long shots of wide vaudeville stages, contributing to a truly engaging visual experience. The sequence where Louise transforms into Gypsy Rose Lee is particularly noteworthy, showcasing her costumes and dressing room with remarkable clarity and detail.

Shadow details and black levels are sufficiently robust, allowing viewers to identify the sets and painted backdrops easily. Importantly, Warner has ensured that neither detail filtering nor artificial sharpening is evident in this Blu-ray transfer. The use of a BD-50 disc eliminates compression errors, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. Overall, this video presentation elevates the film "Gypsy" to new heights, making it a must-see for enthusiasts who appreciate high-quality cinematic presentation.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Gypsy" employs a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. While the voices and lyrics come through with commendable clarity, aided by their original studio recordings, the tonal disparity between dialogue and musical numbers is noticeable—likely resulting from dubbing instances, such as Russell's singing. The sound effects offer basic stereo directionality, limited to right and left channels. Unfortunately, the dynamic range of the orchestral recordings is somewhat constrained, and this is evident when juxtaposed with the much louder volume of the music compared to the dialogue and incidental effects. As a result, achieving a balanced listening experience requires constant adjustments to the amplifier settings.

The audio mix does present challenges in terms of balancing the shrillness when the songs begin with the quieter dialogue scenes, which can be both fatiguing and frustrating. Although a complete remix and re-equalization would vastly improve the experience, this might not be feasible owing to the likely unavailability of the original stems. Despite these inherent limitations, the existing mix manages to fulfill its purpose adequately once you determine an optimal volume setting that aligns with your home theater system and personal preferences.

The Blu-Ray of "Gypsy" presents a compelling set of extras that enrich the viewing experience with restored content and insightful features. The inclusion of two deleted songs, intricately restored from an early print provided by a private collector, adds significant value since these tracks were long thought lost. The "Wherever We Go" number highlights physical comedy routines, albeit its staginess which might have impacted the film's flow. In the case of “You Couldn't Get Away From Me,” it reveals a complete version with noticeable edits marked by changes in aspect ratio and quality, offering a glimpse into the original production choices. Furthermore, the theatrical trailer, focusing on Natalie Wood and the essence of Gypsy Rose Lee, effectively teases the film’s thematic core.

Extras included in this disc:

• Wherever We Go: Inherent staginess of this physical comedy number.
• You Couldn't Get Away From Me: Complete song version revealing original edits.
• Trailer: Focus on Natalie Wood and Gypsy Rose Lee, with teasing elements.

The Blu-ray release of "Gypsy" by the Warner Archive Collection offers a compelling cinematic experience that resurrects the quintessential Broadway musical with technical finesse and captivating storytelling. Originally directed by Mervyn LeRoy in 1962, the film remains largely faithful to its 1959 Broadway roots, melding Arthur Laurents’ book with Jule Styne’s music and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics in a masterful homage. Esteemed for its magnetic characterization of Mama Rose, performed by Rosalind Russell, this adaptation does justice to the relentless ambition and complex maternal figures within the narrative. Jerome Robbins' original choreography is retained, demonstrating an unprecedented clarity that subsequent productions have often emulated but seldom surpassed.

Rosalind Russell's performance as Mama Rose draws viewers into her obsessive quest to secure a place in showbiz for her daughters. The journey from vaudeville to burlesque is meticulously chronicled, with standout performances from Natalie Wood as Louise and Karl Malden as Herbie adding depth to this musical drama. The infamous Act I curtain number, "Everything's Coming Up Roses," is particularly striking in its original context—a fervent display of misplaced maternal ambition. Technical elements, such as the seamless transition from dialogue to song, are executed with an elegance that reflects LeRoy’s intimate understanding of the genre’s conventions.

From a production standpoint, Mervyn LeRoy's adept direction rooted in his own vaudevillian past lends authenticity to the film's milieu. The decision to open with an orchestra playing the overture, accompanied by credits materializing on a giant theatrical curtain, sets a nostalgic tone reminiscent of classic stage productions—a technique later mirrored by modern directors like Baz Luhrmann. This seamless blend of real-life experience and cinematic technique makes "Gypsy" not just a superior adaptation but a definitive piece of musical theater on film, deserving of its revered status among American musicals.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Gypsy" delivers an exceptional HD presentation, marking a notable improvement over previous DVD versions. This Blu-ray transfer breathes new life into the film, meticulously restoring its vibrant color palette and intricate details, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. The film's audio track has also been impeccably preserved, providing clear and dynamic sound quality that highlights the musical score's richness.

Moreover, the fidelity of Rosalind Russell’s riveting performance as Rose is captured with such clarity that it becomes nearly palpable. The heightened definition allows viewers to appreciate nuanced performances and the grandiosity of the set designs. Each song, particularly the iconic “Rose’s Turn,” resonates with newfound intensity, making the climactic moments profoundly impactful. Warner Archive's choice of titles for their Blu-ray treatment demonstrates a keen eye for films that benefit significantly from high-definition formats.

In summary, Warner Archive's commitment to quality showcases their dedication to preserving classic cinema in the best possible format. The Blu-ray release of "Gypsy" is a testament to this ethos, providing a visually and sonically superior experience that will satisfy both long-time fans and new viewers alike. Highly recommended.

One of the most commonly abused drugs in America doesn't come as a powder or pill but in intangible form. It's the yearning for fame, and today the desire is daily stoked on dozens of cable channels and everywhere on the internet. Over half a century ago, the creators of Gypsy etched an indelible portrait of the corrosive effects of a lifelong addiction, especially when the desired fame never arrives. The concluding song of Gypsy, Rose's Turn, is a tour de force of bitterness, as Rose contemplates the star she could have been (or so she imagines). The scene can be moving, infuriating, horrifying, grotesque—indeed, all of the above at once when played by a great actress like Russell. In Ethel Merman's hands (and lungs) before a live audience, it must have been electrifying. Later generations of fans who can't make it to one of the better revivals can now at least experience LeRoy's faithful translation to the screen courtesy of WAC's fine Blu-ray. Highly recommended.