The Long Goodbye Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video’s Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" offers a compelling video presentation, preserving the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Derived from an HD master sourced by MGM via Hollywood Classics, the transfer utilizes the original 35mm interpositive, with color grading meticulously overseen by Paul Schramm at Todd-AO Video in Hollywood. The master adheres closely to Vilmos Zsigmond’s color notes, ensuring it mirrors the cinematic palette envisioned in 1973. Consequently, viewers experience a film characterized by muted, desaturated colors and low contrast, aligned with Zsigmond’s innovative 'flashing' technique—which notably lent the movie its distinct look while addressing lighting challenges due to Altman’s dynamic filming style.

Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p, the high-definition transfer is robust, delivering unexpected detail and clarity. While some scenes falter under pervasive lighting issues or exhibit marginal softness during zoom-ins, overall quality remains excellent. Edge enhancement and DNR are conspicuously absent, maintaining a consistent grain structure that befits this '70s classic. The color scheme, dominated by pastel shades, achieves its intended retro aesthetic, while black levels impress with their depth and balance, showcasing an adept handling of shadow detail that enhances nighttime scenes significantly.

Compression and encoding performance are commendable, with no notable digital artifacts like warping or large damage marks. The deliberate fluctuations in contrast as action shifts locations are intact, reflecting the film’s visual design. Though minor imperfections such as a brief white dot appear early in the film, they remain mostly unobtrusive. Overall, Arrow Video’s Blu-ray presentation of "The Long Goodbye" effectively captures the film’s unique visual style, presenting it in a manner that aligns faithfully with the original artistic intentions while enhancing viewer enjoyment thanks to modern restoration techniques.

"The Long Goodbye" arrives on Blu-ray with a singular audio presentation: English LPCM 1.0. This uncompressed mono track showcases meticulous care in its restoration, ensuring that John Williams’s iconic title tune diversely permeates the film without any tinny resonance or unwelcome drop-offs. Played at reference level, the audio clarity is impressive, devoid of distortions, and captures Elliott Gould’s mumbled dialogue with commendable coherence even in subdued scenes. While modern surround sound aficionados may find the mono setup archaic, this track epitomizes the zenith of mono sound design for its era—a true demonstration of its potential.

Despite the inherent limitations of a mono mix, such as restricted dynamics and the lack of surround sound playback, "The Long Goodbye" delivers an immersive front-focussed aural experience. This restrained approach aligns with the production norms of its time, predating the surround sound innovations of filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola. Additionally, Arrow Video provides an Isolated Music & Effects LPCM 1.0 track, complementing the main audio presentation. While viewers might detect a faint hiss during certain high-frequency scenes—noticeable around the 26-minute mark—it does not overshadow the overall audio quality, which remains free from pops or dropouts. For accessibility, optional English SDH subtitles effectively support the audio content, splitting between the image frame and black bar below.

Arrow Films has delivered an exceptional array of extras for the Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye," which will captivate any fan of the film and its creators. The special features are a combination of new and archived content, primarily interview-based, providing rich insights into the film's development, techniques, and cultural relevance. Standouts include in-depth interviews with director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould, a comprehensive profile of Altman’s career, and a fascinating discussion by cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond on his revolutionary techniques. The extras not only shed light on the film’s intricate production process but also delve into the broader landscape of hard-boiled fiction and its adaptation to the screen, making this collection both informative and engaging.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rip Van Marlowe: Interview with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould.
• Giggle and Give In: Documentary profile of Robert Altman.
• Elliott Gould Discusses The Long Goodbye: Q&A with Michael Connelly.
• Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye: Interview with the cinematographer.
• David Thompson on Robert Altman: Critical analysis of Altman’s career.
• Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: Discussion of Chandler’s life and work.
• Maxim Jakubowski on Hard Boiled Fiction: Insight into hard-boiled detective genre.
• Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Radio Spots
• Booklet featuring new writing by Brad Stevens and others.
• Cover Art: Reversible sleeve with original and new artwork by Jay Shaw.

Robert Altman's 1973 adaptation of "The Long Goodbye" takes the classic Raymond Chandler novel and delivers a satirical, neo-noir interpretation that has gained significant critical reevaluation over time. The film faced initial backlash for setting the iconic Philip Marlowe character in the contemporary Los Angeles landscape, an approach that diverged from the original novel’s time period. Yet, Elliott Gould’s portrayal of Marlowe—disheveled, reflective, and out of sync with reality—offers a unique take that some argue is more faithful to Chandler's intent than previous adaptations by Humphrey Bogart or Robert Mitchum. Gould’s performance drives the film, perfectly complementing Altman's vision.

Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond employs a technique called 'flashing' to give the film its distinctive smoky, overexposed look, imbuing every frame with a unique neo-noir atmosphere. The perpetually moving camera work places viewers in the middle of the action, enhancing the immersive experience. Complementing Zsigmond's visuals is John Williams’s stylish soundtrack, predominantly variations of the main theme, which underscores the film’s satirical tone. Sterling Hayden offers a powerful supporting performance as an alcoholic writer mirroring Chandler himself, adding further layers to the film's reflective nature.

Despite its unconventional approach, "The Long Goodbye" is a compelling puzzle of themes and styles. The plot follows Marlowe's quest to uncover the truth behind his friend's mysterious death and his entanglement with shady gangsters and a missing novelist—all while maintaining his moral compass amid chaos. Though some purists might find fault in its departure from Chandler's prose style, Altman’s version stands out for its moody atmosphere, innovative cinematography, and its distinct yet ultimately respectful interpretation of Marlowe’s world. These elements make it a valuable piece of cinema history that continues to spark discussion and appreciation decades after its release.

Arrow Academy’s Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" revitalizes Robert Altman’s 1973 film, delivering a nuanced and visually striking presentation that pays homage to its complex roots. The Blu-ray excels in both video and audio quality, offering an authorized video presentation that captures the film’s moody cinematography and time-capsule feel with remarkable fidelity. The audio track, similarly, is crystal clear, ensuring that every nuance of Altman’s signature overlapping dialogue resonates with clarity. Combined, these technical elements enhance the film's intricate narrative and thematic undertones, making this release a high benchmark for restorations of its kind.

In addition to its superior technical specs, the Blu-ray features an eclectic array of supplements that enrich an appreciation of the film. These extras compile all previous releases’ content with valuable new features, offering an in-depth exploration into the making of "The Long Goodbye," its interpretations, and its place in Robert Altman’s filmography. From insightful commentaries to behind-the-scenes documentaries, the bonus materials provide a comprehensive understanding of how this adaptation diverges from traditional Raymond Chandler works, infusing a satirical edge that has polarized audiences but increasingly earned critical acclaim over the decades.

If you appreciate great movies, you'll appreciate "The Long Goodbye." Far more than just another film noir, it defies the noir genre, defies its heritage, and yet somehow stays truer to the intentions of the original author, Raymond Chandler, than any other adaptations of his work. It's been misunderstood, underestimated, and underappreciated over the years but it's only grown in critical acclaim and cult following. Now's the time to re-open the case on this '70s masterpiece.

Arrow Academy’s stunning Region B-locked UK Blu-ray release is simply a blind buy purchase. You HAVE to have it. Compiling all the previous extras—together with some great new ones—it offers comprehensive supplements that are the icing on the cake beyond the outstanding authorized video presentation and audio track, both of which are amidst the best of their kind from this era. Fans should already have this on pre-order. Newcomers interested should not hesitate either.