Bell Book and Candle Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "Bell Book and Candle" on Blu Ray is a meticulously sharp and refined presentation. Utilizing the AVC codec and faithfully rendering the film's original 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, the image remains naturally filmic, with consistent grain that adds to the textural depth. Fine details such as period attire, densely packed locations, and nuanced skin textures reveal a sharpness and fidelity that elevate the visual experience. Whether in medium distance or close-up shots, the clarity is striking, pushing the capabilities of the Blu-ray format to its limits. This meticulous attention to detail results in an image that is both impressive and immersive.

The color palette of this Blu-ray transfer is another strong point. With balanced and vibrant hues, elements like warm woods, clothing, book spines, home furnishings, and even a colorful parrot display firm, robust coloring. Reds are particularly strong, and skin tones, while occasionally slightly pasty, generally remain true to the natural palette established by the film. Black levels are handsomely deep, maintaining consistency in both attire and shadowy elements. Technical flaws are minimal, with very few pops and speckles appearing briefly and infrequently. There are no issues with scratches, fading, dirt, or debris, contributing to a pristine presentation. Fans of the film will find this Blu-ray release visually pleasing and a worthy addition to their collections.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Bell, Book and Candle" comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono soundtrack that provides a generally clear and detailed listening experience. The audio track manages to deliver a notably robust and engaging soundscape. While some isolated moments exhibit minor flaws, such as muffled applause at the 18-minute mark, these instances are rare and do not significantly detract from the overall audio quality. Music sequences, particularly the lively and richly detailed jazzy piece at the 22-minute mark, stand out for their immersive presence that spans the entire front-end audio spectrum. Ambient effects scattered throughout the scenes enhance the environmental feel, adding depth to the audio experience.

A hallmark of this audio presentation is its impeccable dialogue clarity and prioritization, which consistently images naturally to the center channel. The audio mix successfully combines dialogue with George Duning's spirited background music and sound effects in a professionally assured manner. Audiophiles will appreciate that there are no detectable age-related artifacts such as hiss, pops, crackle, or flutter. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio track takes full advantage of its two-channel configuration, yielding a vibrant soundtrack that remains true to the film's original sound design while providing an enveloping auditory experience.

Sony's Blu-ray release of "Bell, Book and Candle" offers an impressive array of extras that enrich the viewing experience. The disc features three primary featurettes, notably presented in high definition, which adds to the overall value compared to previous standard-definition releases. The highlights include engaging interviews and retrospectives with Kim Novak, both reflecting on her work with legendary co-stars and directors, and providing intimate glimpses into her off-screen life and passions. The inclusion of the theatrical trailer rounds out a robust supplemental package, although the absence of a slipcover and isolated score may be missed by some aficionados. Notably, no DVD or digital copies are provided.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bewitched, Bothered and Beautiful: Audio interview with Kim Novak, featuring film clips and stills.
• Reflections in the Middle of the Night: Kim Novak discusses one of her favorite films.
• Backstage and at Home with Kim Novak: Novak covers Jean Louis' costumes, her homestead, and her paintings.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

Sony’s Blu-ray release of "Bell, Book and Candle" showcases John Van Druten’s whimsical romantic comedy with meticulous detail. Directed by Richard Quine, the film benefits from an adept cast and a smooth production that melds New York City location shooting with Hollywood sets. The film centers around Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak), a 1950s witch living in Greenwich Village. Upon meeting publisher Shepherd Henderson (James Stewart), who is engaged to her college rival Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule), Gillian casts a love spell on him, leading to comedic and emotional entanglements. While the supernatural elements are subtly integrated with minimal special effects, the captivating performances and Quine’s inventive camera work bring out the narrative’s core emotions.

Daniel Taradash’s screenplay stays largely true to Van Druten’s original 1951 play while skillfully expanding the setting beyond Gillian’s apartment to iconic New York locales like Central Park and be-bop clubs. The film features some visually lyrical moments, such as Shep's symbolic tossing of a hat from the Flatiron Building, and clever camera movements that enhance scenes without overshadowing the story. Quine exercises restraint in visually representing the magic; most of the enchantments rely on close-ups, sound effects, and music, maintaining focus on character-driven storytelling and sparkling dialogue.

Performance-wise, Stewart, though slightly older for the romantic lead, brings a relaxed charm to Shep, complementing Novak’s ethereal portrayal of Gillian. Jack Lemmon injects humor as Nicky Holroyd, harnessing playful mischief, while Ernie Kovacs provides a more subdued yet fitting performance as Sidney Redlitch. The supporting cast, including Elsa Lanchester and Hermione Gingold, contributes richly to the film’s eccentric atmosphere. Overall, "Bell, Book and Candle" retains its enchanting appeal with this release, blending nuanced performances with delightful production design.

Sony’s Blu-ray release of "Bell, Book and Candle" delivers a visual and auditory experience closely akin to the prior Twilight Time edition, ensuring fans of the classic romantic comedy will be thoroughly satisfied. The transfer showcases a well-preserved version of the film, highlighting vivid colors and crisp details that remain faithful to the original 1958 cinematic experience. Audio quality also impresses, providing clear dialogue and an immersive soundscape that enhances the film's charming, whimsical atmosphere.

This release by Sony includes the addition of a new featurette, an insightful bonus for those interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of this beloved film. However, it omits the isolated score track present in the Twilight Time version, which may disappoint some audiophiles and collectors. Despite this, the supplemented content enhances the overall value of Sony’s edition, making it a compelling choice for both new viewers and long-time fans.

In conclusion, Sony's Blu-ray release of "Bell, Book and Candle" appears to be very similar to the Twilight Time disc in terms of its video and audio presentations. While I cannot confirm that both are identical, they certainly appear to be based on previous reviews. Supplementally, Sony’s disc adds a featurette but drops the Twilight Time staple isolated score track. The movie is great, too. Highly recommended.