Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of "Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words" is an exemplary showcase of meticulous archival work and high-definition transfer. Presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the 1080p transfer remains true to its varied sources. Filmed in Super35mm HD with a Canon V300 digital camera and utilizing archival Super 8mm and 16mm footage, this documentary offers a vivid juxtaposition of new and vintage visuals. Archival materials were sourced from the Wesleyan Cinema Archives and the Cineteca Nazionale, scanned in 4K and 2K respectively, ensuring that even the older segments retain a surprising level of detail and clarity. The fully digital production workflow, along with the 5.1 surround audio mastered using Pro Tools HD, guarantees a seamless auditory experience.

The transfer's technical proficiency is highly commendable given the film's diverse array of source material. From crisp contemporary footage and intimate 8mm home movies to aged, yet compelling, stills and clips from Bergman's feature films, the blend of media is handled with exceptional care. Grain structures, degrees of clarity, and innate idiosyncrasies of each footage type are well-preserved, offering an authentic viewing experience. The 4K and 2K scans rejuvenate the older footage, revealing vibrant colors and fine details that create a poignant sense of nostalgia. Notably, sequences like Bergman's Technicolor screen test for David O. Selznick are astonishingly pristine. Criterion's efforts ensure no introduction of nicks, scratches, or digital anomalies during post-production. This meticulous approach allows the documentary to honor its subject's timeless elegance while providing viewers with a cohesive and visually engaging narrative.

This Blu-ray release of "Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words" features a single audio track: Swedish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, which includes substantial English portions, as well as some Italian and French. The audio presentation is wonderfully executed, providing a clear and immersive experience throughout the entire film. Alicia Vikander’s Swedish narration, combined with diverse comments from Bergman and her children in various languages, delivers an engaging multi-lingual soundscape. Each language shift is handled seamlessly, ensuring that clarity remains consistently high without any disruptive level changes.

The soundtrack significantly enhances the atmosphere intended by Stig Björkman. The delicate original sound design is well-preserved across various types of content, including archival and recent interviews, original feature film footage, and scenes from high-profile events such as screenings and receptions. Remarkably, there are no significant balance issues, dropout occurrences, or digital distortions to report. The surround activity is primarily restricted to the scoring, which features fine fidelity, tonal depth, and a broad dynamic range, providing ample auditory space for the soundtrack to resonate.

Overall, despite some vintage material that sounds marginally rough or shrill, the track offers excellent clarity and even modulation, making all interview segments, film clips, and narration comprehensible. Balancing a multitude of old and new audio sources, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix excels technically and serves the varied content exceptionally well.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words" provide a comprehensive and enriching supplement to the main documentary, offering an in-depth look into the production process, personal insights, and historical context. Notably, the interview with director Stig Björkman offers a fascinating narrative on the film's inception and production challenges. Exclusive home movies shot by Bergman herself, and rare outtakes from her early films bolster the intimate, personal portrayal of the famed actress. Additional content includes deleted and extended scenes that delve deeper into Bergman's life and relationships through interviews with her children and contemporaries. The inclusion of a music video and archival clips rounds off this impressive collection, enhancing a viewer’s understanding and appreciation of Ingrid Bergman’s life and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original U.S. trailer.
• Stig Bjorkman Interview: Insightful discussion on the film’s creation.
• Home Movies: Original 8mm footage shot by Bergman.
• Deleted Scenes:
  • How I Would Raise My Daughter: Daughters reading Bergman's essay.
  • Rosario Tronnolone: Interview with Italian film historian.
• Extended Scenes:
  • Shubert Theatre: Additional footage with Sigourney Weaver and others.
  • Rossellini Siblings: Extended interviews with Bergman's children.
• Landskamp: Clip from Bergman's first acting role.
• On the Sunny Side Outtakes: Rare outtakes from a 1936 film.
• The Movie About Us: Music video featuring Eva Dahlgren’s song.
• Leaflet: Illustrated essay by Jeanine Basinger.

Stig Bjorkman’s "Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words," winner of the Golden Eye Award at the Cannes Film Festival, offers a profound look into the personal and professional life of the legendary actress through an extensive use of archival materials. Drawing on Bergman’s diaries, letters, home movies, and revealing new interviews with her children, Bjorkman crafts a detailed and intimate portrayal. The documentary’s authenticity shines through its use of original Super35mm HD footage interwoven with 8mm and 16mm film from Bergman's own archives, all scanned in 2K and 4K. This meticulous restoration and blending of materials enhance the film's visual coherence while preserving the rawness of the historical footage.

The narrative, led by Alicia Vikander's tender voiceover, draws viewers into Bergman’s world, away from the curated image of a Hollywood star to reveal a complex woman incessantly driven by her passion for acting. Notably, the documentary diverts from traditional celebrity biographies by focusing less on Bergman's screen roles and more on her personal reflections and challenges. Through poignant letters detailing Bergman’s affair with Roberto Rossellini and subsequent media backlash, audiences gain insight into her resilience and resolve. Conversations with Isabella Rossellini, Pia Lindström, and others add depth, offering varied perspectives on how Bergman balanced her familial obligations with her career ambitions.

"Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words" stands out for its refusal to delve into sensationalism. Instead, it dignifies its subject by juxtaposing personal struggles with moments of triumph and vulnerability. Footage like Bergman's silent screen test for Selznick and behind-the-scenes clips from "Joan of Arc" serve to bridge her public persona with her private self, making it clear that her life's drama was as multifaceted as any role she played. This reverent, well-constructed tribute invites both admiration for Bergman's artistry and a nuanced understanding of her life's pursuit to live authentically.

Stig Björkman's "Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words" stands out as an intimate and emotionally charged documentary that offers an in-depth look at one of the most talented actresses of the 20th century. The film's rich tapestry of personal diaries, home movies, and interviews paints a vivid portrait of Bergman's life, delving deep into her professional triumphs and personal controversies. The inclusion of candid interviews with all four of Bergman's children adds a layer of authenticity and intimacy rarely seen in similar profiles.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of the documentary does not disappoint in technical quality. The video transfer is clear and vibrant, capturing the essence of the archival footage, while the audio presentation is crisp, allowing Bergman's voice and the documentary's soundtrack to shine through impressively. The supplementary materials provided enhance the overall experience, offering further insight into Bergman's multifaceted life and career.

I really enjoyed Stig Bjorkman's film. It feels very personal but it makes it easy for the viewer to understand what an incredibly rich and remarkably polarizing life Ingrid Bergman had. Admirers of the iconic Swedish actress and her work should not miss it. Criterion's technical presentation of the film is excellent. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.