For All Mankind Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "For All Mankind," encoded in 1080p MPEG-4/AVC and framed at its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, delivers a varied yet visually captivating experience. The image quality ranges from simply stunning, as seen during the Gemini spacewalk sequences, to somewhat grainy in the archival footage of early moon missions. This variation is due to the nature of the original source material, spanning 16mm and 35mm film. Black levels are notably deep, providing true contrast in the stark void of space, while whites are generally pristine, enhancing the visual appeal without overwhelming the viewer.

The transfer excels in color rendition and detail, with exceptional vibrancy in elements such as the flag on the lunar surface and the intricate details of astronaut suits and equipment. The enhanced visibility of iconic shots, including the Earth rising over the moon’s horizon, adds a fresh layer of appreciation for these historic visuals. This new high-definition transfer, supervised by producer-director Al Reinert, retains notable stability even when projected digitally, ensuring that the image’s clarity and richness are preserved. This meticulous work ensures that viewers experience the best possible representation of this historic film.

Eureka Entertainment’s release remains consistent with Criterion’s Region-A locked release, offering identical high-definition quality that will satisfy even the most critical viewers. This Region-B disc requires a compatible or region-free player but stands out as a meticulously managed transfer that leverages the original material’s strengths while addressing its inherent limitations. Overall, it offers an engaging and visually enriching experience that marks a significant achievement in historical film preservation.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "For All Mankind" offers a range of options including DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby TrueHD 5.1, and Dolby Digital 2.0 tracks. Notably, while DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD offer immersive formats, the differences between them are minimal. The limited surround usage means both 5.1 tracks deliver a relatively similar auditory experience. The implementation of Brian Eno’s score occasionally enhances the front soundstage without overwhelming the dialogue, which remains clear and well-centered. The 2.0 track is quieter but equally clean without significant engagement in surround use.

This audio mix provides a faithful, clean, and defined representation of the original source, keeping the significant dialogues sharp and upfront. Despite limited dynamic activity, moments featuring the Saturn V booster rockets deliver a noticeable presence through the DTS-HD track, albeit not to the extent of fully utilizing a surround system’s potential. The audio quality is notably free from hisses and pops, indicating an effective clean-up from the original Dolby Digital track on the DVD release. Though the backing score does reach into the surround channels sporadically, the overall mix maintains a narrow focus that complements the film's narrative and visual significance without unnecessary embellishments.

The Blu-ray extras for "For All Mankind" offer compelling and insightful content that amplifies the documentary's depth, capturing the spirit and history of NASA's lunar missions. The audio commentary featuring Al Reinert and Apollo astronaut Eugene Cernan provides rich, firsthand perspectives on the space race and uncovers fascinating anecdotes about the creation process of the film. The documentary "An Accidental Gift" dives into the archival efforts that unearthed stunning mission footage, while "Paintings from the Moon" highlights Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean’s artistic journey post-NASA. Additional supplements, like "3, 2, 1... Blast Off" and the NASA Sound Archive, offer authentic audio-visual experiences of historic space events. With optional subtitles and an informative 28-page booklet, these extras significantly enhance the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director Al Reinert and Apollo Astronaut Eugene Cernan: Engaging commentary giving insights into NASA's early Seventies.
• An Accidental Gift: Exploration of Reinert’s archival process with commentary from key NASA personnel.
• Paintings from the Moon: Alan Bean discusses his transition from astronaut to artist.
• 3, 2, 1... Blast Off: Footage of launches from Mercury through Saturn V.
• NASA Sound Archive: Iconic sound bites from the American space program.
• 28-page booklet: Contains historical essays and notes by Al Reinert.

Al Reinert's "For All Mankind" is an indispensable chronicle of the Apollo 11 mission, detailing one of humanity’s most celebrated achievements: landing a man on the moon and bringing him back safely. This Blu-ray edition brings the documentary to life with a newly restored high-definition transfer from a 35mm interpositive, supervised by the director himself. The remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack at 24-bit from the original 35mm magnetic tracks ensures an immersive auditory experience. Reinert's meticulous effort is evident in the painstakingly rebalanced and improved archival footage, enhancing color, contrast, and clarity. This restoration enriches the historical visuals, particularly the actual moon landing sequences.

The documentary excels in capturing the emotional dichotomies of its epoch—both the uniting pride and the chilling memories of a world teetering on the edge of global conflict. Through evocative personal recollections from astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, coupled with extensive archival footage, Reinert seamlessly reconstructs the monumental mission preparations and execution. The lack of onscreen identification for many voices in the archival footage serves to underscore the collective experience, resonating with viewers by placing them in the shoes of awestruck global spectators.

This Blu-ray release also includes valuable supplemental materials, such as an audio commentary featuring Reinert and Apollo 17 commander Eugene A. Cernan, and a 28-page full-color booklet. For those who appreciate historical documentaries, "For All Mankind" not only rekindles a spirit of national pride but also serves as a poignant reminder of the technological and political milestones of the past century. It captures an unparalleled period in history with both pristine technical execution and rich human emotion, making it a must-have for documentary enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of Al Reinert's "For All Mankind" by Eureka Entertainment offers an impressive visual and auditory experience that competes strongly with the Criterion release previously available only in Region A. The video quality is superb; the transfer's clarity and color reproduction highlight the sheer beauty of archival footage from NASA's Apollo missions. The audio, while somewhat limited, sufficiently supports the documentary’s narrative and immersive quality, emphasizing both the ethereal silence of space and the intense moments of launch.

Supplementary features are robust, consisting of almost all the materials from the Criterion edition, including informative interviews with Apollo astronauts. This enhances the viewing experience by providing richer context and deeper insights into the monumental effort and collaboration required for space exploration. The inclusion of these features makes this Blu-ray a valuable addition to any collection, especially for enthusiasts of space history.

In conclusion, Reinert’s work pays homage not just to the astronauts but to the entire NASA team that made the moon landings possible. Though the audio quality may have certain limitations, the video presentation is nothing short of sublime, with some images compelling viewers to pause and appreciate their beauty. Eureka Entertainment ensures that those with Region B players can now enjoy this iconic documentary fully, making it a highly recommended purchase for fans and scholars alike. Straight 8s across the board—a commendable achievement.