The French Way Blu-ray Review

"The French Way" is presented on Blu-ray by Sprocket Vault and SabuCat with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer at a 1.31:1 aspect ratio. Despite claims of a 2017 restoration, the transferred element displays significant wear and tear, including substantial scratches, white flecks, and damage indicative of the film's age. The encode exhibits a prevalent grain, yet, rather paradoxically, often appears smeary and waxlike, detracting from the overall visual experience. Contrast issues abound; the presentation sometimes suffers from near whiteout conditions where images almost vanish before stabilizing into a more recognizable grayscale. These factors are compounded by scenes abruptly transitioning midline, with underscores cutting off suddenly.

Despite its limitations, "The French Way" offers a serviceable restoration of this rare film. Encoded in AVC on a BD-25, the presentation maintains the movie's 1.37:1 intended theatrical aspect ratio. The surviving film print yields decent clarity though it is somewhat soft with occasional lapses in definition. Telecine wobble and gate weave persist, but the overall stability of the film has been preserved. While fine detail is lacking, comparative to modern standards or even to Universal’s black-and-white monster transfers, this Blu-ray still manages to exceed DVD quality. The contrast and black levels generally range from acceptable to occasionally crushed, undermining the immersive experience but reinforcing the historical value of this release.

The LPCM 2.0 mono French audio track on the Blu-Ray of "The French Way" presents a mixed bag of auditory qualities. Restored by the reputable Chace Audio, which has previously worked on major Hollywood productions, the track unfortunately retains some audible imperfections. These include notable distortion, as well as hiss, popping, and occasional crackling. A reedy, thin quality permeates the dialogue throughout, accompanied by strident high frequencies that render the overall sound somewhat tinny.

Despite these limitations, Josephine Baker's singing performances manage to come through with relative clarity and adequate fidelity, offering a somewhat redeeming auditory experience. However, it is evident that the vintage audio, while restored, does display evident wear and tear. Additionally, the subtitling indicates that the English translations are burnt onto the film, missing small segments of French dialogue, though this does not significantly hinder plot comprehension.

Overall, while the audio restoration by Chace ensures that viewers can still appreciate Baker's musical contributions without significant compromise, the limitations inherent in the original recording are palpable and slightly detract from a wholly immersive auditory experience. This should be taken into account when considering this Blu-Ray edition for its historical and entertainment value.

The Extras section of the Blu-ray release for "The French Way" is unfortunately lacking in supplemental material, detracting from the comprehensive experience that enthusiasts might expect. No special features or behind-the-scenes content are included, which could have provided valuable insights into the making of this classic film. The disc arrives in a standard Blu-ray case without additional bells and whistles, making it a straightforward but bare-bones addition to your collection. Nonetheless, the unaltered images from the movie included in the Blu-ray, particularly with subtitles integrated into the print, ensure that viewers still receive a high-quality visual experience. For those interested in more detailed reviews, exclusive UHD content, or extensive screenshot access, additional resources are available through external support platforms like Patreon.

Extras included in this disc:

None: There are no special features or additional content on this disc.

"The French Way" highlights the magnetic and captivating presence of Josephine Baker, an icon whose cinematic appearances have been regrettably sparse. Settling into a narrative that loosely mirrors "Romeo and Juliet" with a comedic twist, the film enlists Baker as Zazu, a nightclub singer who intervenes in the conflicted romance of two young lovers from feuding families. Although Baker’s charm can’t be overstated and she delivers her musical numbers with characteristic flair, the film’s comedic aspirations often fall flat, never quite achieving the levity it aims for. It's clear that even in France, where Baker enjoyed greater stardom than in the United States, filmmakers struggled to fully utilize her charisma within a cohesive plot.

Baker’s contribution to "The French Way" is invaluable, particularly in scenes where she performs. These moments of musical interlude offer glimpses of the energy and allure that made her an international sensation. However, it’s difficult to ignore that the film relegates her to a less central role — a trend akin to how Lena Horne was often utilized in Hollywood, albeit more significantly here. This Blu-ray release offers a rare opportunity for audiences to experience one of Baker’s few cinematic endeavors domestically. For enthusiasts of classic cinema and Baker's storied career, "The French Way" serves as both a historical artifact and a testament to her unparalleled stage presence, despite its structural shortcomings as a comedy.

The Blu-ray release of "The French Way" brings a touch of nostalgia with its charming romantic comedy led by the inimitable Josephine Baker. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this French film showcases Baker's dazzling charisma, proving once again why she was one of the leading entertainment figures of her time. The narrative, while not groundbreaking, is peppered with moments of humor and clever dialogue that keep the viewer engaged.

However, this release falls short in terms of technical execution. The picture quality, though an improvement from previous editions, struggles with inconsistencies. There are segments marred by noticeable grain, and a certain softness that betrays its age. The sound quality, although passable, lacks the clarity and richness one would hope for in a high-definition release. These technical flaws detract from the overall viewing experience and underscore a need for higher quality source materials.

It's absolutely commendable that someone thought to bring Baker's limited filmography to high definition, but the technical merits of this release leave something to be desired. It would be great if a label like Criterion or even ClassicFlix could get hold of elements closer to negatives (or at least in better shape), and then release a collection of Baker's work with some contextual supplementary material.