The Clowns Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Federico Fellini's "The Clowns" utilizes an AVC-encoded 1080p transfer, presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, faithfully retaining the film's original television broadcast format. The visual presentation excels with vibrant, stable hues, notably bold reds and golds, capturing the flamboyant spirit characteristic of Fellini's cinematic approach. The color saturation is pristine, with clown make-up looking especially vivid, reinforcing the fantastical elements of the circus environment. Restoration efforts are clearly evident as the print appears free from distractions and damage, allowing for a clear and rich viewing experience that enhances both the vivid performances and autumnal scenery.

Clarity is exceptionally maintained throughout the film, permitting an in-depth appreciation of the nuanced facial expressions and intricate make-up designs of the performers. Notable is the consistent film grain that preserves the cinematic texture without signs of heavy digital noise reduction (DNR). Shadow detail is meticulously preserved, providing depth that keeps dense costuming details intact. The image sharpness is commendable, though there are minor instances of edge enhancement. While some documentary-style footage feels comparatively flat, the circus sequences exhibit a robust level of dimension and dynamic range.

Overall, the transfer handles black levels and contrast proficiently, delivering strong but not overblown contrasts that avoid any significant black crush. Occasional softness does not detract from the overall high-definition impact which retains a respectful layer of filmic grain. The restoration team truly honored Fellini's visual intentions here, ensuring viewers can fully immerse themselves in the eccentricities and spectacle of "The Clowns" with each vibrant frame rendered vividly on Blu-ray.

The audio presentation for "The Clowns" is available in both Italian DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono tracks, with optional English subtitles. The 5.1 mix, while not delivering an enveloping surround sound experience, provides a clean and clear layout of the film's unique auditory elements. Dialogue is distinct and well-separated from the whimsical intensity of the clown performances, offering a full quality despite occasional humming and hissing during on-set recordings. Nino Rota's score is dynamically rendered without distortion, showcasing good fidelity across frequencies.

The overall sound design is front-heavy, with limited rear channel activity and an absence of substantial center channel presence. While low-end frequencies are not heavily engaged, certain cues allow the LFE to dynamically enhance the audio-visual experience. Ambient sounds are decently handled by the surround channels but remain compartmentalized, avoiding overlap into the front speakers. The track effectively manages broad acts of entertainment and audience participation, maintaining a composed sound profile even during chaotic sequences.

Despite these limitations, the supposed 5.1 mix does offer a slightly more robust audio experience compared to the 2.0 track, particularly in terms of bass response. Both audio options faithfully present the source material with respectable fidelity, ensuring that sound effects are pronounced yet balanced, never overwhelming the action. Although the rear and center channel limitations make the inclusion of the 5.1 mix somewhat redundant, the audio maintains a high standard and significantly complements the film’s visual aesthetic.

The Blu-ray of "The Clowns" presents a curated selection of high-quality extras that offer an in-depth exploration of Fellini's work. The marquee feature is "Fellini's Circus," a meticulous visual essay conducted by Fellini specialist Adriano Apra, delving into the filmmaker’s fascination with circus life and the technical aspects of his filmography, including shot lengths and rhythms. This offering is rich in academic content, making it particularly valuable for cinephiles and film students. Complementing this is "Un Agenzia Matrimoniale," a 1953 short film by Fellini, showcasing his early storytelling prowess in a humorous narrative about a marriage agency. Additionally, the disc includes "A Journey into the Shadow," a compelling 48-page booklet filled with Fellini’s recollections, original drawings, and script excerpts, providing a more personal insight into his creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Fellini's Circus: Analytical visual essay by Adriano Apra on the film’s production and stylistic elements.
• Un Agenzia Matrimoniale: Early short film by Fellini about a marriage agency.
• A Journey into the Shadow: A 48-page booklet containing Fellini's reflections, original drawings, and script pages.

Federico Fellini’s "The Clowns" stands out as a mesmerizing confluence of documentary, fantasy, and mockumentary forms. This 1970 creation, originally commissioned for Italian television, immerses the audience into Fellini's deep-seated obsession with the circus and its painted jesters. The narrative vacillates between meticulously staged reenactments of classic clown performances and pseudo-documentary sequences wherein Fellini, accompanied by a fictional film crew, seeks out veteran clowns across Europe. Despite its fragmented structure, the film bounces with a lively energy, capturing the chaos and charm of a whirling circus tent. The innovative dual storytelling techniques craft a surreal landscape that is both informative and whimsically disorienting, offering more through visual splendor than through traditional documentary exposition.

The film’s technical prowess is apparent in its richly detailed visual style. Distinctive camera techniques, such as quiet push-ins and tracking shots, imbue scenes with a poignant emotional depth, especially in Fellini's recreations of his childhood experiences with the circus. In the circus performances, the film’s technical finesse shines through in the stunning transformative environments and elaborate costuming. The climax, featuring a garish yet enchanting clown funeral, epitomizes Fellini's unique ability to blend the absurd with the profound. Cameos from notable figures like Anita Ekberg and Victoria Chaplin, coupled with interviews that veer between reality and staged spectacle, further blur the lines between documentary authenticity and theatricality. Despite occasional moments of disjointedness, "The Clowns" remains a fascinating exploration of its titular characters and their enduring mystique.

Underneath its eccentric exterior, "The Clowns" serves as an introspective look at humanity through the lens of circus life. Fellini extrapolates his personal affinity for clowns into universal themes, suggesting that everyone has a touch of the whimsical clown within them. This thematic thread weaves through reminiscences of everyday local eccentrics and culminates in a bittersweet elegy to the dying art of clowning, encapsulated in a poignant trumpet duet sequence closing the film. For fans of Fellini’s distinct cinematic style, this film offers a unique yet representative glimpse into his pantheon, capturing both the hilarity and underlying melancholy that define these timeless jesters.

Federico Fellini's "The Clowns" masterfully blends elements of documentary and fantasy to create a unique exploration of the circus world. The Blu-ray presentation preserves the film's authentic charm, with a commendable video transfer that maintains the rich visual appeal of Fellini's vision. While the audio mix adequately supports the film, the 5.1 surround designation appears somewhat superfluous given the nature of the audio content. Included are two high-quality supplements that add depth to this peculiar yet fascinating film experience, enhancing its overall value.

The film's bizarre subject matter is handled with an affectionate tone that keeps viewers engaged throughout its brisk runtime. From Fellini's infatuation with the eccentricities of clowns, to a climactic 'clown funeral' that captures the chaotic spirit of the circus, the movie strikes a balance between comedy and pathos. Despite feeling like it only scratches the surface of Fellini’s obsession with the circus, it leaves a lasting impression, presenting an enthralling look at the absurdity and beauty of clowning.

This Blu-ray edition by Raro Video stands out for its quality presentation and added features, such as an informative book which enriches the viewing experience. Whether you are a seasoned Fellini enthusiast or new to his work, "The Clowns" offers an accessible introduction to his cinematic style, making it highly recommendable. The film's loving, researched approach ensures it remains a compelling piece, capturing sheer insanity and joyful chaos in equal measure.

The Clowns is a strange picture, but never alienating. The loving tone of the work keeps the wild activities compelling, and Fellini's infatuation with the topic provides a smooth pace up to the final act. Climaxing with a clown funeral of sorts, the film goes haywire, unleashing a group of excited performers to accurately sell the extended play atmosphere of gig, flopping all over the frame, making use of props and vehicles to capture pure insanity. It's more clowning than anyone would ever need, but somehow I think Fellini feels he's shortchanging his audience. While vivid and researched, The Clowns seems like it only scratches the surface with his red-nosed, floppy-shoed obsession.