City Lights Blu-ray Review

Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece, "City Lights," has been meticulously restored and presented in a 1080p/AVC-MPEG-4 encoded transfer with an original aspect ratio of 1.19:1 by the Criterion Collection. Unveiled through a detailed video presentation, this version emerges from a digital transfer created in 4K resolution on an ARRISCAN film scanner, primarily from a 35mm duplicate negative, with additional elements sourced from the Academy Film Archive for the film's final reel. In Bologna, Italy, at L'immagine Ritrovata, alongside the technical expertise of colorist Lee Kline, thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps were manually eradicated using MTI's DRS. Moreover, Digital Vision's Phoenix played a crucial role in mitigating smaller dirt particles, grain, noise management, and flicker, ensuring a cleaner visual experience while retaining the film's original texture and depth.

Despite these commendable efforts in preservation and restoration, some issues persist in the Blu-ray's video quality, most notably a consistent flickering during the opening credits that extends into the first scene and fluctuates in intensity throughout the film. This flicker is particularly pronounced in brighter scenes and diminishes slightly under dimmer lighting conditions, though never completely dissipates, marking it as one of the most significant imperfections within any Criterion release to date. Additionally, while instances of white and black specks are minimal and not overly distracting, there exists a slight inconsistency in the depth and clarity of blacks from scene to scene, hinting at the limitations inherited from the source material.

Technical side-by-side comparisons with previous releases reveal Criterion's edition to offer markedly improved clarity, image depth, and grain resolution thanks to superior encoding processes. Brightness levels are thoughtfully elevated leading to visually richer scenes, although it’s worth mentioning that contrast levels remain comparably similar to earlier versions. The film demonstrates exceptional stability with negligible damages after meticulous restorative work, albeit minor legacy issues like light bleeds and soft focuses due to source problems still occasionally surface. Therefore, even with inherent source limitations and sporadic transitional troubles, Criterion's rendition of "City Lights" stands out as a definitive video presentation that respects and revitalizes Chaplin’s timeless cinematic creation for both seasoned aficionados and new audiences alike.

The audio presentation of the "City Lights" Blu-ray is an immaculate mono reproduction, specifically the English LPCM 1.0 track that has been carefully restored to deliver a pleasurable listening experience. Originating from a sound negative, the audio was refined with a 24-bit remastering process, meticulously removing clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum with the precision of Pro Tools HD, while crackle saw attenuation through AudioCube's workstation. This results in a presentation that's remarkably clean and devoid of any distracting audio imperfections such as background hiss, pops, or dropouts.

The fidelity of this LPCM 1.0 track might surprise some with its depth and clarity, indicative of the high standard achieved during the remastering process. Despite its single-channel limitation, the track exhibits a well-rounded musical score, showcasing the orchestra's bass performances with more presence than one might expect. However, it's important to manage expectations regarding the audio's thickness and dynamic range, which, due to the nature of its mono presentation, is inherently limited yet still satisfying.

Overall, the sound effects within "City Lights" are not predominant but are represented by unique elements such as a kazoo and two different types of whistles, adding subtle layers to the auditory experience without overshadowing the score. The meticulous attention to audio restoration ensures that listeners are treated to a track that is both clean and free from defects or wear, making it an exemplary component of this Blu-ray release that honours the film’s legacy while ensuring an engaging listening experience.

The Blu Ray extras for "City Lights" provide a comprehensive and enriching experience that extends beyond the film itself, appealing both to Chaplin aficionados and newcomers to his work. The inclusion of original trailers offers a historical perspective, while "Chaplin Today: City Lights," directed by Serge Bromberg and featuring Peter Lord, delves deeply into Chaplin's influence on cinema. Craig Barron's analysis in "Chaplin Studios: Creative Freedom by Design" highlights Chaplin's innovative use of studio space and visual effect techniques. Archival footage from the set reveals the meticulous care Chaplin took in crafting his scenes, offering a window into the director's process and patience. Perhaps most enlightening is Jeffrey Vance's newly recorded audio commentary, providing detailed insights into Chaplin's creative process and production history. Accompanying these features is a booklet with critical essays and interviews, further contextualizing Chaplin's work within cinematic history. The extras preserve technical details meticulously, ensuring a rich, educational viewing experience that complements the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailers: Original trailers from the U.S., France, and Germany.
• Chaplin Today: City Lights: A documentary focusing on Charlie Chaplin's career, directed by Serge Bromberg.
• Chaplin Studios: Creative Freedom by Design: Craig Barron discusses Chaplin's working methods and special effects used in his films.
• From the Set of City Lights: Includes footage and scenes from the production of "City Lights."
• Chaplin The Boxer: Features "The Champion" and footage of boxing stars visiting the studio.
• Commentary: An in-depth audio commentary by Charlie Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance.
• Booklet: Contains essays and interviews related to Charlie Chaplin and "City Lights.

Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights," a film that defied the sound revolution in Hollywood with its poignant silence, finds a majestic Blu-ray release through Criterion. Spotlighting Chaplin's daring artistic choice to release a silent film four years after "The Jazz Singer" brought synchronized dialogue to the forefront, "City Lights" emerges as an exceptional blend of comedy and drama, narrating a narrative that is as touching today as it was in 1931. The film, presented in its original aspect ratio with synchronized sound effects and music composed by Chaplin himself, solidifies its creator's mastery over cinema that speaks volumes without uttering a single word.

The intricate relationships that form the core of "City Lights"—between the Tramp, an enigmatic millionaire with a penchant for despair when sober, and a humble blind girl selling flowers—unfold with unparalleled grace and humor. These interactions are not merely narrative devices but serve as insightful commentary on societal perceptions, showcasing Chaplin's genius in weaving complex human emotions with his trademark slapstick humour. His meticulous approach to filmmaking, spending weeks on a single scene to achieve perfection, underscores his dedication to the craft, making "City Lights" a seminal work that stands as a testament to Chaplin's enduring legacy in cinematic history.

Moreover, the production journey of "City Lights," marked by Chaplin's demanding perfectionism and his challenging relationship with Virginia Cherrill, enhances the film’s legendary status. Despite initial doubts about Cherrill's portrayal of the blind girl, her performance in the heartrending final scene captures a magical moment of cinematic history. As Criterion brings this timeless classic to Blu-ray, accompanied by rich supplemental materials including critical essays, interviews, and raw footage, "City Lights" continues to enchant audiences with its blend of humor, romance, and humanism, cementing its place as an indispensable masterpiece of silent cinema.

The Criterion Collection's release of "City Lights" on Blu-ray is an excellent addition to the film libraries of Charlie Chaplin enthusiasts and silent comedy aficionados alike. This version heralds significant enhancements in video quality that are crucial for the enjoyment and appreciation of this genre-defining masterpiece. Alongside these improvements, the disc features an array of supplemental materials that enrich the viewer's understanding and appreciation of Chaplin's work. Especially noteworthy is the inclusion of a new audio commentary by Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance, which offers profound insights into the legendary filmmaker's methods and the film's historical context.

Despite the high praises, it's worth noting that some video issues persist, underscoring a room for future editions to possibly improve upon. However, these concerns are minor when measured against the overall value this release brings to both collectors and newcomers to Chaplin's oeuvre. The dedication of Criterion to preserving film history is evident in the care taken with this release—bolstering its content with valuable extras that go beyond mere behind-the-scenes footage, delving into informative explorations of "City Lights" and its significance within Chaplin's body of work and the broader cinematic landscape.

In conclusion, Criterion’s Blu-ray edition of "City Lights" stands as the definitive version of the film currently available. While acknowledging minor video quality issues that call for future refinement, this release is highly recommended due to its enhanced visual presentation and the depth of its supplementary content. The expertly curated extras, particularly Jeffrey Vance's commentary, provide indispensable context and insights, making this Blu-ray an essential purchase for anyone wishing to fully experience one of Chaplin's greatest achievements and a landmark in silent comedy.