The Inn of the Sixth Happiness Blu-ray Review

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 2.36:1 CinemaScope aspect ratio. The transfer does an admirable job of capturing the rugged and exotic locations, providing a sharp and well-detailed image that remains free from excessive sharpening or denoising. Colors are a mixed bag due to aging elements, with some notable shifts towards brown hues, particularly noticeable in skin tones and costumes that should be bright red appearing more rust-colored. Despite these shifts, certain colors like blues are beautifully rendered, adding a lustrous quality to the cinematography.

Clarity and contrast are strong, with the image demonstrating good depth and sharpness, especially in background details. The film's single-strip color process introduces an inconsistent grain structure and a degree of drabness to the palette, which sometimes detracts from the desired vibrancy. Reds in Chinese gowns and orange flames achieve a satisfying saturation, although the sky and foliage colors waver slightly over the course of the movie. Black levels are solid, offering deep and stable shadows, while close-ups effectively highlight facial features, though they lack the razor-sharp delineation seen in top-tier transfers.

While early scenes set in London and the travel montage exhibit higher grain levels compared to scenes set in China, the entire film benefits from a pleasingly organic, cinematic texture. Fox's decision not to employ digital doctoring ensures that no artifacts or defects mar the viewing experience. Overall, this Blu-ray transfer conveys a lovely celluloid feel, capturing the sweeping narrative with an authenticity that honors the film's foreign atmosphere despite some minor color fidelity issues.

The audio presentation of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" on Blu Ray is commendable, featuring a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 mix that faithfully recreates the original four-track stereo mix. This approach provides acute separation, lending an aural analog to the film's widescreen visual allure, especially in dialogue scenes. The soundstage is notably spacious, with atmospheric sounds nicely bleeding into the rear channels and a mild stereo separation up front that complements the film's epic scope. Malcolm Arnold's moving and melodic score is beautifully rendered across the channels, offering strong fidelity without any damage or age-related wear.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 track enhances the cinema experience with nuanced sound and an abundance of surround activity. Excellent fidelity and fine tonal depth distinguish Arnold’s lyrical theme music, creating a wide dynamic scale that handles both highs and lows effortlessly. Nonetheless, the absence of a .1 LFE channel slightly diminishes the impact of bass frequencies, rendering scenes involving Japanese aerial attacks and explosions less formidable. However, dialogue remains well prioritized and easy to comprehend, free from any pops, crackles, hiss, or other age-related defects. Despite its 55-year age, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" delivers a pleasing and near-pristine audio experience that fans will appreciate.

The Blu-ray release of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" offers a commendable selection of extras, providing deep insights into the film’s historical context and production process. The expert commentary by Nick Redman, Aubrey Solomon, and Donald Spoto stands out for its depth and engaging manner, shedding light on the real Gladys Aylward and contrasting her life with its cinematic portrayal. Viewers gain valuable information about the socio-political upheavals in China during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as behind-the-scenes production challenges like the switch from Taiwan to Wales for shooting locations. Additional supplements such as Fox Movietone newsreels and theatrical trailers enrich the viewing experience with historical snippets and promotional materials that capture the film's original reception.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Nick Redman, Aubrey Solomon, and Donald Spoto: Insightful coverage of historical, biographical, and production details.
• Fox Movietone News Clips: Two-minute snippets of the film's world and domestic premieres.
• Theatrical Trailers: Original trailers including one narrated by Ingrid Bergman, plus a Spanish subtitled version.

"The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" chronicles the awe-inspiring yet semi-fictionalized life of Gladys Aylward, a dedicated Englishwoman who ventures into the heart of China to serve as a missionary. The film, directed by Mark Robson and headlined by Ingrid Bergman, effectively captures the grandeur of 1950s historical epics with its sweeping cinematography by Freddie Young and elaborate production design, which surprisingly was shot in Wales rather than China. Despite some pacing issues—clocking in at a lengthy 158 minutes—the film remains a compelling drama highlighted by Aylward’s strong moral resolve and humanitarian contributions.

Bergman delivers a passionate portrayal of Aylward, imbued with determination and compassion that resonates on screen, although her physical dissimilarity to the real Aylward (Swedish and statuesque vs. Cockney and diminutive) may distract purists. Integral subplots involving Robert Donat’s imperious Mandarin and Curt Jurgens as Captain Lin Nan add texture to the narrative, though the controversial casting of Caucasian actors in Asian roles could perturb contemporary audiences. Notably, the film dramatizes Aylward's crusade against foot-binding and her heroic endeavor of leading orphans to safety, intensifying its emotional appeal.

This adaptation is less a precise historical account but more an emotionally rich epic. Regrettably, it occasionally lacklusters in narrative dynamism and romantic chemistry between Bergman and Jurgens. Still, it’s underpinned by a heartfelt upliftment shaped by Aylward's perseverance and selflessness. Despite her reported displeasure with the film’s accuracy and Bergman’s casting due to personal controversies, the cinematic representation of Aylward’s journey offers a broad spectrum of drama, humor, and visual splendor, making it an enduring tale of resilience and faith.

"The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" presents an engaging historical epic bolstered by the luminous performance of Ingrid Bergman. Set against the lush backdrop of 1930s China, the film narrates the inspiring journey of a determined missionary bridging cultural gaps. While the narrative is undoubtedly moving, the pacing can feel indulgent, causing some scenes to stretch unnecessarily. The meticulously crafted sets and costumes enhance the visual appeal, providing a grandiose cinematic experience typical of late-1950s productions. However, the film’s glossy execution at times undermines its attempts at authenticity, rendering certain elements outdated.

The Blu-ray release of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" offers generally excellent video and audio quality. The high-resolution transfer ensures the stunning scenery and detailed costumes are well-represented, allowing modern audiences to fully appreciate the film’s aesthetic grandeur. Despite the solid technical presentation, the supplemental materials are somewhat lacking by today’s standards, offering limited insights or behind-the-scenes content that could have enriched the viewing experience.

Conclusively, "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" is a near-perfect embodiment of its era's epic filmmaking, offering lush visuals and emotional performances, particularly from Bergman. While some may find it overly lengthy and occasionally too polished, its endearing portrayal of heroism and cross-cultural unity stands out. The Blu-ray's strong video and audio transfers make it a valuable addition for aficionados of classic cinema, despite the lighter supplement offering. Therefore, it comes recommended for those willing to immerse themselves in an evocative piece of old-style entertainment.