Fanny and Alexander Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Ingmar Bergman’s "Fanny and Alexander," presented by Criterion, is a meticulous digital restoration treated with great technical care. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and presented in 1080p, both the theatrical and television versions were transferred from the original 35mm camera negatives using an ARRISCAN film scanner, ensuring high fidelity to the source material. Critical aspects like color grading were supervised by original experts such as film timer Nils Melander, utilizing advanced software systems like Image System's Phoenix and Nucoda, Quantel's iQ, Foundry's NUKE, and Autodesk's Flame. Manual restoration processes effectively eliminated thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker, employing MTI's DRS system and Pixel Farm's PFClean system for thorough results.

The high-definition transfer of the television version in particular shows substantial improvements. Details are markedly enhanced, especially in darker sequences, with greatly stabilized contrast levels. The most striking enhancement is in color reproduction; the entire palette appears elevated and stabilized, bestowing the film with a vibrant new look that exceeds previous releases. This transfer retains the film's original grain structure with precision, evident during close-ups where the grain is well resolved and unaltered. Compression artifacts are minimally present, only noticeable in fleeting moments during the prologue. Key points for viewers to note are the absence of edge flicker and significant damage such as scratches or large cuts, which might have been present in previous DVD releases.

Presented in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray expounds an exquisite level of detail. Both versions reveal intricate design elements of the Ekdahl family's ornate home and the Bishop’s stark house. The transfer’s contrast handling is notable throughout, displaying bright whites and natural hues, as intended by cinematographer Sven Nykvist. While the black levels are generally strong, sporadic fluctuations do not detract from the overall exceptional visual quality. The set maintains a faithful representation of primary colors, particularly reds, within a naturalistic light framework, resulting in an image that is both technically refined and visually engaging.

The Blu-ray release of "Fanny and Alexander" presents a meticulous audio experience with distinctive translations and considerate remastering. The television version includes a Swedish DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track, while the theatrical edition features a Swedish LPCM 1.0 track and an English Dolby Digital 1.0 dub, all accompanied by optional English subtitles. Both soundtracks have been remastered at 24-bit from the original 35mm magnetic tracks, with manual removal of clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum, and crackle attenuation via AudioCube's integrated workstation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track offers nuanced dynamics, enhancing the film's fantasy sequences significantly. Both the DTS-HD and LPCM tracks are devoid of audio imperfections such as pops, clicks, or dropouts. Dialogues and ambient sounds are notably crisper compared to the DVD release, delivering an immersive experience. Despite these tracks being mono, they offer a remarkably spacious audio presence, housing subtleties that elevate the narrative’s emotional core.

The uncompressed PCM mono soundtrack is exceptional, focusing the sound design centrally to mirror the film's dialogue-driven drama. The soundtrack captures every tonal inflection with clarity, ensuring dialogues reveal characters' fears, joys, and heartaches with high intelligibility. The mix leverages room acoustics convincingly to fill scenes with natural ambience and detailed auditory elements. Although bass is minimal, the lower frequencies provide enough depth to enhance the understated score, delivering a satisfying listening experience worthy of Ingmar Bergman's profound storytelling.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Fanny and Alexander" shines with an impressive array of extras that delve deeply into the film's creation and legacy. Noteworthy is the insightful audio commentary by Peter Cowie, offering a comprehensive analysis of Bergman's techniques and personal influences. The extensive making-of documentary provides a rare glimpse into Bergman's meticulous filmmaking process, effectively capturing his artistic relationship with cast and crew. Additionally, "A Bergman Tapestry" supplements these insights with reflective interviews from key production members, while "Ingmar Bergman Bids Farewell to Film" gives audiences a poignant view of the director's career and personal reflections. The high-definition presentations of costume sketches, set models, and stills further enrich this collection, making it indispensable for cinema enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Theatrical trailer with optional English subtitles.
• Commentary: Audio commentary by Peter Cowie.
• The Making of Fanny and Alexander: Documentary on the film’s production.
• A Bergman Tapestry: Documentary with interviews from cast and crew.
• Ingmar Bergman Bids Farewell to Film: Conversation with the director.
• Stills Gallery: Behind-the-scenes photos.
• Costume Gallery: Sketches and final costume photographs.
• Set Models: Stills of set models and designs.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with essays.

Ingmar Bergman’s "Fanny and Alexander," recipient of four Oscar Awards including Best Film and Best Cinematography, is a masterful blend of autobiographical narrative and rich visual storytelling. Anchored by the Ekdahl family's two-year odyssey, it delves into themes of childhood magic transitioning to harsh adulthood, revealing deep-rooted existential reflections reminiscent of Bergman's distinctive style. The film contrasts the warmth and complexity of familial bonds with the cold sterility of oppressive environments, a duality embodied in Sven Nykvist's exquisite cinematography. The vibrant, lush interiors of the Ekdahl household sharply juxtapose the bishop's stark, lifeless abode, accentuating the emotional landscapes that define the characters' tumultuous journeys.

Central to the narrative are siblings Fanny and Alexander, particularly Alexander, whose lens offers a childlike yet profound perspective on life's dichotomies. Bergman's meticulous direction captures transience and mortality, making past and present emotions coexist seamlessly. Symbolic constructs like Alexander's puppet theater and the recurring motif of doors as stage curtains underscore life’s inherent theatricality and the perpetual dance between reality and illusion. These elements enrich the narrative, imbuing everyday interactions with layers of purpose and meaning.

The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray edition presents both the abbreviated 189-minute theatrical cut and the comprehensive 322-minute television version. The longer version retains much of the fantastical elements critical to understanding Bergman's full vision. Packaged in a tri-fold box with a 34-page illustrated booklet, it includes invaluable extras such as documentaries and scholarly essays that provide depth and context to Bergman’s intricate work. This release cements "Fanny and Alexander" not just as a cinematic masterpiece but as an essential study in storytelling complexity and visual grandeur, befitting Bergman's eminent legacy in film history.

Ingmar Bergman's "Fanny and Alexander" stands as a cornerstone in cinematic history, often heralded as his magnum opus. The Criterion Collection's 3-disc Blu-ray set offers both the theatrical release and the original five-hour television version, exemplifying unparalleled fidelity to the source material. The set beautifully captures the film’s intended warmth, color, and emotional depth, delivering an exceptional audio and visual experience. Enhanced by meticulous remastering, both versions appear superb, presenting the film in its best possible quality.

The narrative delves into the life of a bourgeois family at the turn of the century, grappling with profound themes of time, mortality, and the essence of art. This exploration is rendered even more poignant by Criterion's comprehensive bonus content. Although the bonus section may seem modest at first glance, it provides an exhaustive examination of the film’s production. Each element from Bergman's creative process to behind-the-scenes insights is meticulously explored, rendering this set indispensable for aficionados and scholars of Bergman’s oeuvre.

Warm, colorful, witty, and incredibly moving, Ingmar Bergman's "Fanny and Alexander" is undoubtedly one of the great films of our time. Criterion's 3-disc set contains both the theatrical release and the original five-hour television version of the film. Both look wonderful on Blu-ray, the best they ever have. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.