Bull Durham Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Bull Durham," featuring a meticulously supervised transfer by director Ron Shelton, marks a significant upgrade from its predecessors, offering a pristine 1080p image that pays homage to the film's original 35mm glory. This new edition, presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, benefits from a 10-bit 4K scan of the original camera negative performed on a top-tier Lasergraphics Director film scanner. The result is an exceptionally clean image, free of age-related blemishes such as dirt, debris, and scratches, thanks to painstaking manual removal and software-assisted restoration processes involving tools like MTI Film's DRS and Digital Vision's Phoenix for correcting jitter and flicker issues. The color grading, carried out with discerning attention to maintaining the filmic look, boasts richer primaries without succumbing to overzealous digital noise reduction or artificial sharpening, ensuring a faithful yet visibly enhanced visual experience.

Attention to audiovisual fidelity doesn't stop with the video; the audio component has also received a careful remaster from the original 35mm magnetic Dolby A tracks. Utilizing Pro Tools HD and iZotopeRX, the sound team has effectively eliminated common analog imperfections such as clicks, thumps, and hisses, furnishing a clear 2.0 surround soundtrack that further immerses viewers into the quirky world of minor league baseball. To appreciate the full depth of this sound mix, enabling Dolby Pro Logic decoding on your receiver is advised.

Viewers are rightly treated to a visual feast with this iteration of "Bull Durham," particularly notable in enhanced shadow detail and overall clarity — features especially pronounced in darker scenes. Large-screen owners, in comparison to early Blu-ray releases, will immediately recognize the difference in visual fluidity and texture. Each frame celebrates the film’s organic aesthetic, free from digital tampering such as degraining or overzealous sharpening. Thus, while there exists some discussion regarding slight shifts in color tinting—specifically, a debated teal hue overtaking previous blue tones in uniforms—the transfer remains largely faithful and unobtrusive, ensuring the film can be enjoyed with renewed visual splendor.

The Blu-ray edition of "Bull Durham" comes equipped with two English audio track options catering to different auditory preferences: a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix and a newly remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. Both tracks are complemented by optional English SDH subtitles for accessibility. The 2.0 track, in particular, has been meticulously remastered, offering an auditory experience that closely mimics the film’s original theatrical sound. Its depth, clarity, and dynamic intensity are commendable, with an excellent overall balance and occasional surprises in separation that enhance the viewing experience.

On the other hand, the 5.1 audio mix, while identical to that of previous releases, does provide an expansive soundscape during scenes set in the baseball games, leveraging the surround channels to enrich background atmospherics. Despite this, the 5.1 mix predominantly remains a front-heavy presentation with minimal surround sound involvement, suggesting that its addition to one's viewing experience might not be substantially superior to its 2.0 counterpart.

Each audio option has its merits, but the 2.0 track stands out for its impressive remastering effort that not only showcases excellent technical quality but also serves as a more authentic auditory representation of the "Bull Durham" theatrical experience. Between the two, the choice comes down to personal preference for either a nostalgically accurate sound (2.0) or a slightly broader soundscape during specific scenes (5.1). Regardless of choice, viewers can expect an audio presentation that is free of anomalies and rich in dynamic intensity, ensuring an immersive experience throughout.

The Blu-ray extra presentation of "Bull Durham" offers a varied and in-depth look at both the film's creation and its enduring legacy. From informative, archival commentaries by director Ron Shelton, actors Kevin Costner, and Tim Robbins, to contemporary and historical featurettes analyzing the movie's impact on baseball culture and cinema. Special attention is paid to the authentic portrayal of minor league baseball life, with insights from past players and film crew members, making it a treasure trove for sports enthusiasts and movie fans alike. The inclusion of original trailers, news segments, and a uniquely filmed interview conducted by Michael Sragow adds layers to understanding the film's production and reception, while a leaflet with Roger Angell's reflections further richens the context, weaving together a multifaceted narrative of "Bull Durham's" significance.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for Bull Durham.
• Going to the Show: Ron Shelton interview on his transition from baseball player to film director.
• Between the Lines: The Making of Bull Durham: Archival program on the film’s production and reception.
• The Greatest Show on Dirt: Examines Bull Durham’s lasting appeal through various interviews.
• Today: Excerpt from an episode featuring Max Patkin, the Clown Prince of Baseball.
• NBC Nightly News: Report on the final season of baseball at the Durham Athletic Park.
• Audio Commentary One: Ron Shelton shares detailed insights into the film’s production.
• Audio Commentary Two: Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins discuss their experiences during filming.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring excerpts from Roger Angell’s piece on baseball.

Bull Durham," presented on Blu-ray by Criterion, is a nuanced portrayal of minor-league baseball that gets a commendable treatment, enriching the experience of this 1988 classic. The film, directed by former minor leaguer Ron Shelton, offers an authentic glance into the life of those players who hover on the fringe of major league fame, focusing on the lives of veteran catcher Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) and aspiring pitcher Ebby LaLoosh (Tim Robbins), with Susan Sarandon playing Annie Savoy, a local fan with a unique way of encouraging the players. Their intertwining paths illustrate a raw and candid narrative infused with love, rivalry, and the heartache of unfulfilled dreams, capturing the essence of baseball beyond the glamor of major leagues.

Shelton's firsthand experience lends the film an authenticity that resonates deeply with viewers, showcasing the sport with a blend of reverence and realism. The storyline enriches this portrayal by avoiding conventional melodrama, instead opting for a sincere depiction of its characters' struggles and triumphs. Both hilarious and poignant moments are crafted with care, allowing the film to balance sport and life lessons without surrendering to clichés. Critically, while Sarandon's performance is compelling, her accent occasionally distracts, and some anachronisms in seasonal settings are noticeable if not detrimental to the overall quality of the movie.

Regarding technical aspects, the Criterion Blu-ray edition is commendable. It presents "Bull Durham" with fidelity to its source material, complemented by a suite of extras that include directorial insights, archival documentaries, and cast commentaries, notably from Costner and Robbins. These features, alongside an illustrated leaflet and vintage trailer, elevate the viewing experience. Additionally, the soundtrack's impeccable selection further immerses viewers in the film's setting and mood. Thus, this Blu-ray release not only honors "Bull Durham" as a quintessential sports movie but also as a timeless narrative about life's unpredictable game.

Bull Durham," a classic that transcends time, has been given a new lease on life thanks to Criterion's release, which adeptly captures its essence while presenting it with technical finesse. The film, noted for its unfiltered and candid portrayal of baseball life, stands out in today’s cinema landscape as Kevin Costner highlighted in his commentary—one of two included in this release. Ron Shelton’s direction, focusing on authenticity over political correctness, plays a pivotal role in the film's enduring relevance and humor. This Blu-ray edition, boasting a 4K restoration that's predicted to be the best version available, alongside a new 2.0 DTS-HD audio track, ensures that audiences are treated to an unparalleled viewing experience.

This edition is not content with merely polishing the visuals and audio; it enriches the original content with a new featurette while retaining all archival material from previous releases, providing a comprehensive look at "Bull Durham's" legacy. Fans old and new will appreciate the depth of content, from behind-the-scenes insights to reflections on the film's cultural impact over the past 30 years. Criterion's dedication to preserving and celebrating this film is evident, making it more than just a sports movie—it's a multifaceted exploration of ambition, romance, and baseball’s idiosyncrasies.

In conclusion, Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Bull Durham" is an essential addition to any collector's library. Its combination of exceptional picture quality, immersive audio, and enriching bonus content not only pays homage to the film’s original charm but also enhances its appeal for modern audiences. Whether you're revisiting it or discovering it for the first time, this edition is highly recommended, offering the definitive way to experience one of the greatest sports movies ever made.