Wings of Desire Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire" is a technical marvel that sets a new benchmark for the movie's visual presentation. The transfer has been meticulously supervised and approved by Wenders himself, ensuring the film's original artistic vision is preserved. The Blu-ray features a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in the director's preferred 1.66:1 aspect ratio, scanned in 4:4:4 24P resolution on a Spirit Datacine from both a 35mm interpositive and a 35mm internegative.

The black & white sequences of the film exhibit outstanding grayscale accuracy and maintain their original grain structure, which enhances the film's authentic, filmic texture. Unlike previous DVD releases plagued by edge enhancement and other artifacts, Criterion's transfer does not suffer from such issues. There is no noticeable edge-enhancement or macroblocking, and the contrast remains excellent throughout. The movie's detail and clarity have seen a significant upgrade, with shadow details well-preserved, despite black levels not reaching deep depths—likely an intentional choice to remain true to the source material.

Color segments, though sparse and thematically secondary to the black & white footage, have also been significantly improved over previous releases. The color portions no longer appear artificially colorized thanks to proper digital mastering, making them crisp and clear, albeit less luminous than the monochrome scenes—fitting for the film's narrative. While some minor chroma popping and occasional streakiness in grainier scenes are present, these imperfections are negligible and do not detract from the overall experience. Criterion's Blu-ray disc of "Wings of Desire" exemplifies a commitment to high-quality film restoration, offering both technical excellence and an immersive viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "Wings of Desire" on Blu-ray features a single DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, maintaining German as the primary language with instances of English and French. Criterion has provided optional English subtitles for the German dialogue, adhering closely to the film’s original bilinguality. Originally created in Dolby Stereo, the soundtrack has been remastered and remixed at 24-bit from the original 35mm stems under the supervision and approval of director Wim Wenders. This meticulous reworking ensures a clear, unblemished auditory experience without any distracting pops, cracks, or hisses.

The remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 format exhibits outstanding fidelity. The dialogue is consistently crisp and distinct, with a particular emphasis on the clarity of the thought narration, which was intentionally designed to be clearer than the spoken parts. Jurgen Knieper’s music is rendered with excellent fidelity, especially the resonant cello elements that add depth to the audio landscape. The bass is notably rich and dynamic, enhancing the impactful moments such as Nick Cave’s concert performances.

While the 5.1 mix offers genuine front separation, the surround channels are employed effectively to create a sense of immersion without being overly aggressive or gimmicky. This results in a less ostentatious but wholly enveloping auditory experience compared to previous releases. The balance between dialogue, music, and sound effects is expertly maintained, avoiding any issues that plagued earlier versions like the flat dynamics and near inaudibility of dialogue found in the MGM DVD release. Overall, the sound quality on this Blu-ray release is a remarkable improvement, ensuring an enriching listening experience that aligns harmoniously with Wim Wenders' creative vision.

The Blu-ray of "Wings of Desire" includes a robust selection of extras, preserving all the bonus features from the Criterion DVD, though many have been upconverted from standard definition sources. The standout is the new audio commentary, assembled from 1996-1997 interviews with Wim Wenders and Peter Falk, offering deep insights into the film's spontaneous production process. "The Angels Among Us" documentary, despite an unwelcome appearance from Brad Silberling, remains excellent with cast and crew interviews. The French TV special "Cinéma Cinémas" provides behind-the-scenes footage narrated by Wenders. Nine deleted scenes feature forced commentary by Wenders, while the outtakes consist of unused footage set to music. Additional highlights include interviews and documentaries on legendary cinematographer Henri Alekan, a short film by Bruno Ganz and Otto Sander, trailers, a photo gallery, and a 30-page booklet with essays and production notes.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Angels Among Us: Documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew.
• Cinema Cinemas: Behind-the-scenes footage with narration by Wenders.
• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes: Nine deleted scenes with Wenders' commentary; outtakes presented with music.
• Gallery: Stills gallery with detailed production notes.
• Alekan '85: Interview with cinematographer Henri Alekan from an unfinished documentary.
• Alekan la lumiere: Excerpts from a documentary discussing Alekan's techniques.
• Remembrance: Short film about actor Curt Bois.
• Trailers: German theatrical trailer and a promo trailer.
• Audio Commentary: Commentary from Wenders and Peter Falk.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with essays and production notes.

Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion with a meticulous, high-definition transfer personally supervised and approved by the director himself. The film, a deep meditation on human existence and the intricacies of life in pre-unification Berlin, fluidly juxtaposes two contrasting narratives. One narrative follows the ethereal lives of angels, led by Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander), who roam Berlin invisibly chronicling the subtle, often overlooked moments of human existence. The second narrative posits a divided city grappling with its historical scars, depicted through stark black-and-white visuals contrasted by infrequent, evocative bursts of color when Damiel dreams of humanity.

The film's non-linear progression can be seen by some as challenging, as it eschews traditional storytelling for a more poetic, contemplative approach. Early reactions to "Wings of Desire" might find its tone moody and ponderous. However, repeated viewings often uncover its profound layers, transforming initial indifference into deep appreciation. Wenders' choice of black-and-white cinematography, complemented by unique cover sequences when Damiel senses humanity or Marion's appearances, underscores the film’s thematic leanings towards existential reflection. The atmospheric blend of original music by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Tuxedomoons, Crime and The City Solution, Laurie Anderson, and Laurent Petitgand intensifies the immersive experience.

Despite lacking conventional action scenes or special effects, "Wings of Desire" stands as a cinematic masterpiece due to its seamless synthesis of words, images, and ambient sounds. Peter Falk's performance as a self-aware version of himself provides an intriguing bridge between the celestial and mortal realms. While the final act’s transition to color and traditional narrative structure might initially seem jarring, it ultimately enriches the thematic depth upon subsequent viewings. Criterion’s presentation not only preserves but elevates this visual poetry, ensuring it remains both hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking for years to come.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Wings of Desire" is a masterful restoration that does full justice to this cinematic gem. The disc showcases the movie's stunning photography and sound design with an impressive level of detail and fidelity. The picture quality exudes a sharpness and depth that enhances the viewer's immersive experience, bringing out the film's rich textures and ethereal visuals. The audio tracks are meticulously rendered, preserving the intricate soundscape that is so crucial to the film's atmosphere.

The suite of supplementary materials included with this release further solidifies its status as a definitive edition. Highlights include an engaging audio commentary and edited interview featuring director Wim Wenders and actor Peter Falk, offering invaluable insights into the film’s creation. A revealing 43-minute making-of documentary, nearly 40 minutes of deleted scenes with Wenders’ commentary, and a 27-minute featurette on the film’s unique lighting add significant depth to understanding the production process. Additional shorter featurettes, photo and stills galleries, and trailers round out the extensive extras. The accompanying 30-page booklet, with an insightful essay by film critic Michael Atkinson, provides additional context and enriches the overall package.

I love everything about this release - "Wings of Desire" looks and sounds great and there is a wealth of supplemental features on the disc to explore. Criterion has set a high bar with this edition, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what they will do next. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.