Love and Death Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Love and Death" is presented in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, showcasing the talent of legendary cinematographer Ghislain Cloquet. Cloquet's work brings a misty, dewy ambiance to the film, which translates into an organic and textural presentation. The film features a natural grain field and an accurate color space, with slight variations in the warmth of flesh tones and reds. While occasional flecks and specks dot the presentation, they are non-intrusive, ensuring stability without signs of digital manipulation or compression artifacts.

Twilight Time's 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer effectively captures the lush visuals of "Love and Death," one of Woody Allen's more colorful films. The contrast and clarity are commendable, supported by light grain levels that enhance the film-like feel. Vivid hues, especially reds, add vibrancy to the frame, and whites remain stable without blooming. Strong blacks contribute to the depth, and natural flesh tones are consistent throughout. Sharp close-ups further highlight fine facial details. Despite some constant speckling, which can mildly affect viewing pleasure, no digital anomalies or enhancements were detected. Fans of Allen will find this transfer a solid effort despite the minor print damage.

The Blu-Ray audio presentation of "Love and Death" is anchored by a vibrant DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track that delivers a nuanced auditory experience. Woody Allen's choice to integrate Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kijé score breathes a vivid life into the film, enveloping the listener with crisp tambourine and trumpet sequences. This score, notable for its inspiration across diverse musical genres, is pristinely showcased in its original orchestral form, offering an engaging counterpoint to the film's narrative. The audio track maintains clarity, free from any age-related issues such as hiss, pops, or dropouts, ensuring an immersive and uninterrupted listening experience.

Dialogue and narration in this DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track are exceptionally clear, making Allen’s witty exchanges easily comprehensible throughout. The soundtrack efficiently handles sound effects like gunfire and explosions with distinctive sharpness and no distortion, catering to a wide dynamic range. The track’s fidelity and tonal depth ensure that the symphonic score robustly fills the room, while maintaining a utilitarian yet flawless approach characteristic of Allen’s films. Overall, this audio presentation stands out for its exceptional clarity and precision, embodying the essence of the film's lively and intricate soundscape.

The Blu-ray release of "Love and Death" offers a modest selection of extras that will still engage fans and cinephiles alike. Though limited in number, these supplements provide intriguing insights into the film's audio-visual elements. The Isolated Score and Effects Track, presented in pristine DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, allows viewers to fully appreciate the grandeur of Sergei Prokofiev's score alongside the film's various sound effects, creating an immersive auditory experience. The inclusion of the original Theatrical Trailer encapsulates the film's humor and chaotic energy through its carefully curated clips and snappy one-liners. The additional MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer adds a nostalgic touch by celebrating the studio's storied history. Despite the brevity of these extras, their quality ensures a rewarding viewing experience for dedicated followers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Isolated Music and Effects Track: Enjoy the majestic strains of Sergei Prokofiev's music and various bombastic audio effects.
• Theatrical Trailer: Lunacy and one-liners abound in this original preview that sets the tone for this madcap farce.
• MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer: A nostalgic celebration of MGM's storied history.

Woody Allen's "Love and Death," an incisive and humor-laden satire, stands as a unique entry in the director's filmography. Set against the backdrop of Napoleonic Russia, Allen’s narrative intricately weaves elements of Russian literature and historical parody, creating a rich tapestry of sophisticated humor and philosophical rumination. Allen, portraying the neurotic and hapless Boris Grushenko, embarks on a comedically tragic journey defined by his interactions with a cast of eccentric characters, including Diane Keaton's Sonja. The script, saturated with references to Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Bergman, delights in its anachronistic dialogue and cerebral slapstick, engaging audiences who appreciate both profound insights and laugh-out-loud moments.

Allen's directing prowess is evident in the film's elaborate production values. Shot on location in Hungary and Paris, "Love and Death" boasts opulent sets and authentic costumes that vividly evoke the period while providing a visually engaging canvas for the narrative. The battle scenes, though fleeting, are impressively staged and contribute to the film’s epic feel. Despite some criticism that the assassination plotline involving Napoleon feels padded, these sequences still manage to elicit genuine humor and serve as a testament to Allen’s ability to fuse traditional farce with intellectual comedy. The performances, particularly those of Allen and Keaton, are top-notch, with their on-screen chemistry enhancing the film's witty banter and philosophical exchanges.

"Love and Death" is not just a spoof but a layered comedic exploration of existential themes. The fourth-wall-breaking monologues of Boris and Sonja create an engaging intimacy with the audience, situating them as passive participants in the absurdity of the characters’ lives. This meticulous balance between highbrow parody and accessible comedy ensures that "Love and Death" remains a distinctive piece in Allen’s oeuvre, reflecting his enduring affinity for reflective humor and cultural commentary.

"Love and Death" stands as a quintessential Woody Allen film, blending his signature neurotic humor with a whimsical take on Napoleonic Russia. The film channels the essence of Allen's early works, echoing the playful irreverence of "Bananas" while subtly engaging with weightier themes. Featuring a superb dynamic between Allen and Diane Keaton, their performances elevate the film's comedic and philosophical elements. With its sly homages to Russian cinema and Ingmar Bergman, "Love and Death" feels both epic and intimate, maintaining a proto-indie charm that aligns excellently with the subject matter.

The Blu-ray release by Twilight Time presents "Love and Death" in an impressively vibrant yet not flawless video transfer accompanied by solid mono audio. The lack of substantial supplemental material typical of Allen's releases might disappoint those seeking in-depth extras, but the technical merits of this high-definition version are commendable. Highlights include the near-perfect preservation of visual nuances that lend the film an unexpectedly sumptuous feel despite its relatively modest production ethos.

Conclusion: Maybe it's just my genetic predisposition toward feeling simpatico with regard to something this ostensibly Russian, but "Love and Death" has always been one of my favorite Allen films. It has the flat-out goofiness of early, more nonchalant, entries like "Bananas" while beginning, if only jokingly most of the time, to address some substantive issues like, well, you know, love and death. Allen and Keaton play their stereotypical roles here, but they play them to the hilt, and "Love and Death" has a rather unexpectedly epic and sumptuous feel for such an otherwise proto-indie feeling film. Technical merits are generally very strong and even without a bevy of supplemental material, "Love and Death" comes Highly recommended.