Valentino Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray edition of "Valentino" boasts an AVC encoded 1080p image with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The transfer capitalizes on bright cinematography, successfully presenting ornate production designs and significant lighting. The detail level remains high, showcasing facial particulars, intricate makeup designs, and textured costumes and sets. Crucially, although fine film grain and facial features are well-preserved, the transfer is not without flaws; some scenes reveal mild scratches and pockets of debris.

In terms of color fidelity, the presentation excels with vivid, bold colors that effectively represent the period hues intended. The ample skin tones are generally natural, though occasionally exhibit a slight pink skew. Black levels are notably strong, supporting depth and dimension with minimal crushing issues. These technical attributes ensure that the viewing experience remains engaging and visually satisfying, despite the minor instances of film damage. Overall, the transfer should please fans with its vibrant yet period-accurate appearance.

The "Valentino" Blu-ray boasts a robust 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix that aligns well with the film's overall tone. Dialogue clarity is preserved throughout, ensuring intelligibility even in bustling group scenes and amidst hectic looping efforts. The scoring is secure and supportive, with more identifiable soundtrack selections registering with clarity and muscle, enhancing the film's mood considerably. Atmospherics are impressively lively; party scenes and visits to various film sets are enriched with distant activity, adding depth and a palpable sense of place to these sequences.

However, it’s important to note that the sound mix is on the quieter side, necessitating a notable volume boost to reach a comfortable listening level. Once adjusted, the mix remains stable and consistent, negating the need for further volume adjustments. This quieter baseline does not detract significantly from the overall auditory experience but is a factor to be mindful of when setting up your viewing environment. The track’s sense of atmosphere and dimensionality adds appreciable depth to most scenes, making it a commendable aspect of this Blu-ray presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Valentino" provide an enriching and comprehensive look into both the film and Rudolph Valentino's legacy. Highlighted by Tim Lucas's insightful audio commentary, these features collectively create a deeper understanding of the film's production and historical context. Director Bernard Rose's segment in Trailers from Hell stands out for its compelling take on the film's visual style and lead performance. The archival Silent Years program, narrated by Orson Welles, offers treasured anecdotes from the silent film era. The footage of Valentino's funeral is a striking historical document, showcasing the massive public response to his death. Additional trailers and behind-the-scenes montages round out this robust package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Informative commentary by film historian Tim Lucas.
• Silent Years: Films from the Collection of Paul Killiam: Orson Welles introduces scenes from silent films, including those featuring Valentino.
• Trailers From Hell: Hosted by Director Bernard Rose.
• Valentino's Funeral Procession: Archival footage of Valentino’s 1926 funeral.
• Animated Montage: Behind-the-scenes photos of director Ken Russell.
• Theatrical Trailer 1: Original trailer.
• Theatrical Trailer 2: Additional theatrical trailer.
• 'Blood and Sand' Trailer: Trailer for the film from 1922.
• 'Billion Dollar Brain' Trailer: Trailer for "Billion Dollar Brain".

Ken Russell's 1977 film "Valentino" offers a flamboyant but disjointed biographical account of silent movie icon Rudolph Valentino, brought to life by ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. While the film ambitiously opens with Valentino's mass-hysteria-inducing funeral, it quickly transitions into a series of flashbacks, narrated by various women in the actor's life. These interviews reflect on his tumultuous rise from an Italian immigrant to Hollywood's foremost sex symbol, showcasing a man whose good looks and dancing talent propelled him into scandal and stardom. Despite the interesting narrative approach, the performances are often hampered by intense overacting, which could not match the silent film era's exaggerated emotions, resulting in an unintentionally comical tone.

Visually, "Valentino" excels with its opulent set designs and costumes, reflecting Russell's commitment to period detail. Unfortunately, the director’s focus on aesthetics overshadows a deeper exploration of Valentino's character and the complex issues of identity and sexuality that he faced. The film’s theatricality extends to the characterizations, with broad emotional displays that compromise the nuance necessary for a thorough biographical drama. While Nureyev's performance captures Valentino’s physical grace, his acting lacks depth and struggles with consistency, particularly with his accent. The supporting cast, though lively, is similarly shackled by overwrought acting directions, undermining their potential to add substantive layers to the narrative.

Overall, "Valentino" stands out for its visual grandeur rather than its storytelling prowess. The film’s fixation on decorative elements and melodramatic performances fails to render a compelling and insightful portrayal of its titular character. While there are flashes of brilliance, particularly in scenes that showcase Nureyev’s dancing talent, the film ultimately feels like a missed opportunity – a glitzy theatrical spectacle rather than a profound bio-portrait of an enigmatic silent film star.

Ken Russell’s "Valentino" endeavors to explore the complexities of fame, myth-making, and the pressures faced by iconic figures. While the screenplay flirts with these themes, presenting scenarios like Valentino's public humiliation in jail, it often falls short of delivering any profound or penetrating insights. Russell’s characteristic flair for dynamic screen presentations is present but muted, which results in a portrayal that lacks depth. Although the production boasts ambitious effort and noteworthy attention to period detail, it struggles to breathe life into the silent film legend, reducing him to little more than a series of moving images devoid of inner substance.

The Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber does, however, commendably enhance the viewing experience. The high-definition audio and visual quality are excellent, showcasing stellar restoration work that brings new vitality to the film's impressive production design. Additionally, the array of supplementary features provides a richer context for those interested in cinema history and Russell’s directorial vision. Despite the film's narrative deficiencies, the Blu-ray package itself offers considerable value, turning it into an artifact worth acquiring for enthusiasts and scholars alike.

In conclusion, while "Valentino" may fall short of fully engaging its audience or delivering a cohesive narrative on Rudolph Valentino’s life, it remains a visually compelling piece bolstered by Kino Lorber's robust Blu-ray treatment. The ambition and effort behind both the production and the Blu-ray release make it a noteworthy addition to any collection, especially for those with a keen interest in early cinema and Ken Russell's eclectic filmography.