Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal" on Blu-ray is handled with commendable professionalism, delivering a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Despite the inherent challenges posed by the disparate archival sources—ranging from videotapes and kinescopes to newsreel footage—the digital manipulation and color correction have been meticulously executed to ensure a smooth visual flow. The newly recorded hi-def interviews exhibit sharpness, detail, and polish characteristic of recent HD footage, while the archival materials display expected variances in quality. Magnolia Home Entertainment's transfer, sourced from the final digital master, is adeptly managed with an average bitrate of 29.99 Mbps, effectively mitigating distortion or compression artifacts.

The film’s varied video sources lead to some noticeable grain, analog artifacts, and damage in the older footage, yet the overall visual experience remains solid and engaging. The newly recorded segments are marked by pleasing clarity and a natural color palette, and the archival black-and-white footage maintains a respectable gray scale. A noteworthy technical choice includes the use of gray bars for the 4:3 portions of the documentary; however, faint compression in the black areas of the screen can occasionally be observed. Given these unavoidable limitations, "Best of Enemies" benefits from a very respectable Blu-ray transfer that honors the documentary's historical integrity while offering a watchable and coherent presentation.

The audio presentation of "Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal" is delivered in lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 format. As characteristic of most documentaries, the sound design is predominantly front-oriented, with dialogue anchored in the center channel, ensuring clear and clean delivery of every articulate exchange between the protagonists. The left and right channels primarily support Jonathan Kirkscey's versatile musical score, which oscillates between styles reminiscent of Philip Glass and Wendy Carlos’s electronic compositions in "A Clockwork Orange." Despite its modest design, the mix serves the dialogue-driven content exceptionally well, maintaining clarity even in archival footage where minor crackles might be present.

However, "Best of Enemies" isn't devoid of auditory highlights. There are key moments where the 5.1 format truly shines, notably leveraging the .1 LFE channel to deliver deep bass extensions that can make a discernible impact, especially notable in scenes coupled with added sound effects and musical emphasis. This restrained yet deliberate use of bass can cause significant room vibrations if your subwoofer is capable, thus adding an immersive layer to the historical narrative.

Overall, while the soundstage may not be overly expansive given the documentary's focus, it effectively enhances the viewing experience. The separation and range in the music track contribute additional layers of emotion and drama, providing a subtle yet powerful accompaniment to the unfolding intellectual jousts. Audio tracks are complemented by subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish, making it accessible to a broader audience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal" are robust and insightful, offering a deeper dive into the cultural and historical significance of the Buckley/Vidal debates. The additional interviews provide over an hour of extended commentary from notable figures, each bringing unique and often conflicting perspectives that enrich the understanding of the debates’ context and legacy. The interview with directors Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon sheds light on the documentary's development, revealing the intricacies behind their creative choices and the challenges they faced. The theatrical trailer and promotional material from Magnolia Home Entertainment round out a comprehensive extras package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Additional Interviews: Detailed perspectives from prominent voices on the debates' significance.
• Interview with Directors Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon: Insights into the documentary’s creation and revelations.
• Theatrical Trailer: Preview of the film with high-quality audio and video.
• Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment: Trailers and promos for other noteworthy titles.

"Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal" is an engrossing documentary by directors Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville that delves into the historic debates between conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr. and liberal intellectual Gore Vidal during the tumultuous 1968 Presidential nominating conventions. This documentary meticulously stitches together archival footage, insightful contemporary commentary, and dramatized readings from the writings of both adversaries, delivering a compelling narrative of their on-air battle that forever altered the landscape of televised political discourse.

Structured like a highlight reel of an intense boxing match, the film showcases extensive clips from the original debates, allowing viewers to experience firsthand the eloquent yet vitriolic exchanges that characterized the encounters. The documentary intersperses these moments with interviews from family and contemporaries, such as Buckley's brother Reid and former talk show host Dick Cavett, offering a deeper look into the personal and political realms each man inhabited. Narration by Kelsey Grammer and John Lithgow, replicating the voices of Buckley and Vidal respectively, adds a layer of authenticity and gravitas to the recounting of their ideologically charged battles.

The film doesn't shy away from exploring the broader implications of these debates, highlighting how Buckley and Vidal’s confrontation became a prototype for the kind of sensationalized, ratings-driven punditry that dominates cable news today. The directors provide a balanced view, avoiding bias while letting the original footage and involved personalities convey the full weight of their arguments. The visceral moment where Buckley loses his temper and delivers a homophobic slur in response to Vidal’s provocations underscores the enduring relevance of their clash over issues like sexuality, media influence, and ideological polarization. Ultimately, "Best of Enemies" stands as a riveting examination of a pivotal moment in media history that continues to resonate in contemporary political dialogue.

"Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal" on Blu-ray offers an expertly crafted documentary that is equally engaging and informative. Through the lens of the 1968 debates between intellectual heavyweights William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal, directors Neville and Gordon present a compelling portrayal of political discourse and media sensationalism. The film delves into the personalities and ideologies that epitomized the polarized political climate of the time, capturing moments of both triumph and failure that eerily echo today's political landscape. The Blu-ray presentation features solid video and audio quality, although they remain modest by high-definition standards.

One minor shortcoming of the documentary is its lack of depth in illustrating how the core ideals of conservatism and liberalism have evolved since 1968. This historical context could enrich viewers' understanding of the current political dysfunction rooted in these ideological shifts. Nonetheless, "Best of Enemies" provides a riveting glimpse into the contentious yet fascinating relationship between Buckley and Vidal. The additional interview material, clocking in at over an hour, further complements the primary narrative, offering deeper insights into both individuals' thoughts and the broader cultural milieu.

In summary, "Best of Enemies" is a prime example of a documentary that successfully entertains while educating its audience. Neville and Gordon benefited from their exceptional subjects, whose public personas transcended mere intellectualism to capture widespread attention. This Blu-ray is highly recommended for anyone interested in political history, media dynamics, or simply enjoying a well-executed documentary feature.