Bird of Paradise Blu-ray Review

Kino Classics has delivered a commendable Blu-ray presentation of "Bird of Paradise," a film that's historically suffered from subpar home video releases. Utilizing a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer mastered from an original nitrate 35mm print preserved by the George Eastman House Motion Picture Department, the disc offers a significant improvement over prior editions. Although little digital clean-up has been performed, this hands-off approach allows the film's natural texture to shine through without sacrificing detail. Minor specks and scratches are present but rarely distracting, ensuring a faithful reproduction. The monochromatic gradient has been meticulously managed, featuring deep blacks, bright whites, and a rich spectrum of grays, maintaining clarity without overt compression issues.

Contrary to some expectations, the print isn't in pristine condition, owing to its public domain status and historical neglect. Viewers will notice a veneer of print defects, including scratches, vertical lines, specks, and debris that vary in severity across scenes. However, grain is minimal and contrast is well balanced, aided by a varied gray scale that enriches the film's exotic setting. While daytime scenes occasionally appear overexposed and some night sequences suffer from crush, close-ups remain crisply detailed despite the vintage soft focus. Kino wisely avoided digital enhancements, preserving the film's antique charm and respecting its historical context. Overall, Kino Classics has done an admirable job with the available materials, producing a Blu-ray that both respects and revitalizes "Bird of Paradise."

The audio presentation of "Bird of Paradise" on Blu-ray offers a unique experience, but it is notably constrained by the limitations inherent to an 80-year-old film. The LPCM 2.0 mono track presents Max Steiner’s memorable, Polynesia-influenced score with both charm and flaws. Steiner's early work shows his burgeoning mastery of film music, blending traditional orchestration with South Pacific motifs. However, the audio quality betrays its age; the music often sounds crackly, brittle, and occasionally shrill, particularly in heavy string sections. Dynamic range is perceptively limited, yet at certain moments, the score fills the room pleasantly despite these constraints.

Dialogue reproduction is another critical area of concern. English-speaking characters' lines are often low in the mix and at times slightly muffled, making comprehension a challenge. Del Rio's dialogue, primarily in another language, suffers greatly from unintelligibility. The overall distortion and tinny quality give the impression that the audio is being funneled through a restrictive medium. Though hiss, pops, and crackles persist, these imperfections are somewhat more forgivable and expected for a film of this era.

In summary, while the audio track does its best to be listenable, it reflects significant limitations set by its primitive source material and decades of public domain neglect. Viewers should temper their expectations for high fidelity; despite Kino’s efforts, the audio remains rough and may impact the overall enjoyment of this classic film.

The extras on the Blu-ray disc of "Bird of Paradise" are minimal, consisting solely of high-definition trailers for other Kino releases. This sparse selection of supplements includes previews for the 1937 version of "A Star Is Born," 'Nothing Sacred,' and 'Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.' While these trailers are presented in high quality, the lack of additional content, such as behind-the-scenes features, interviews, or commentary, is a notable omission that may disappoint enthusiasts looking for deeper insights into the film's production and context.

Extras included in this disc:

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman Trailer: High-definition preview. Nothing Sacred Trailer: High-definition preview. A Star Is Born Trailer: High-definition preview.

"Bird of Paradise" (1932), directed by King Vidor and produced by David O. Selznick, epitomizes the adventure/capital-R-Romance genre prevalent in early 20th-century Hollywood. It follows Johnny (Joel McCrea), a yachting young sailor who becomes enamored with the exotic island princess Luana (Dolores del Rio) amidst the lush settings of the South Seas. Their romance, marked by adventure, cultural clashes, and impending sacrifice to appease an angry volcano, unfolds within a narrative that reflects the racial attitudes of its era. Although the film’s trope of the civilized man going native is rendered with less self-awareness than later films like "Avatar" or "Dances with Wolves," it does offer an idyllic escape from its Depression-era context.

The film’s visual allure is undeniable, employing vivid imagery to communicate passion and emotion more effectively than its dialogue. Dolores del Rio delivers a compelling performance without uttering a comprehensible word, embodying an idealized notion of untamed eroticism unbound by Western mores. The picture also boasts innovative cinematography, including underwater sequences and stunts that were impressive for their time. Max Steiner's pioneering score, making use of instruments like marimbas and ukuleles, enhances the exotic atmosphere, setting a precedent for future films depicting tropical settings.

However, "Bird of Paradise" primarily serves as an aesthetic spectacle rather than a substantive narrative. The plot’s reliance on caricatured native customs, such as human sacrifices to volcanos, strains credulity even for contemporary audiences seeking escapism. While director Vidor effectively captures the allure of its stars amid picturesque locales, the film’s outmoded cultural representations and simplistic storyline render it more of an antique curio than a timeless classic. Despite these shortcomings, its romantic escapades and scenic charm still offer moments of swoon-worthy allure.

King Vidor's 1932 film "Bird of Paradise" is a classic Hollywood romance that epitomizes the lush, sweeping narratives of its era. This Blu-ray release marks a visual improvement over previous versions, delivering a clearer and more immersive video experience after years languishing in the public domain. The vibrant visuals capture the exotic allure of the setting, despite some noticeable imperfections. However, the audio quality often falters, detracting from the overall immersion and betraying the film’s age.

The plot, entailing an island love story with a primitive twist, feels undeniably dated, and modern viewers may find it thin and unsatisfying. Still, the performances from Dolores del Rio and Joel McCrea inject a degree of charm and vibrancy that provides some redeeming value for classic film enthusiasts. The Blu-ray disc itself is notably sparse in terms of additional content, lacking substantial extras or supplemental features that might have enhanced the package's appeal.

In conclusion, although "Bird of Paradise" suffers from outdated racial and gender attitudes and offers a corny, thin storyline, it remains a notable entry in Kino Classics' David O. Selznick series. The lack of value-extending extras is unfortunate, but the improved visual quality makes it worth considering for diehard classic cinema collectors. Supporting distributors like Kino who continue to release films from the early decades of cinema is commendable, ensuring such historical pieces remain accessible.