My Fair Lady Blu-ray Review

The latest restoration of "My Fair Lady" on Blu-ray is nothing short of a visual revelation, correcting the shortcomings of the 2011 release. The film has undergone a meticulous 4K remastering from an 8K scan of the original negative and other surviving 65mm elements, reinstating its proper 2.20:1 aspect ratio. This transfer elevates the film to levels of clarity and detail previously unattainable, capturing every aspect of Cecil Beaton's Oscar-winning costume design with remarkable precision. The grain structure is finely preserved, offering a uniform texture across all scenes without falling into noise reduction pitfalls. The color palette is richly vibrant, with primary colors and pastels rendered beautifully, enhancing the visual experience immensely.

The technical execution stands out throughout the film, from the detailed brick streets of gloomy London to the sunlit racetrack sequences. The resolution has been improved significantly, revealing intricate details like the tweed in Higgins' jacket and delicate lace and feathers in the gowns of the racetrack sequence. These details pop off the screen, creating an almost tactile visual experience. Contrasts are sharply defined without any hint of bleeding, overcoming prior challenges such as the blooming effect on bright white shirts against dark jackets. This restoration also deals well with the black-and-white shading in tuxedo scenes, handling them with a nuanced touch that pays homage to its historical film stock roots.

Gone are all issues that plagued the earlier release. The image possesses impeccable resolution, color timing, balance, and depth, resulting in an image that leaps off the screen. Subtle grains maintain a film-like quality without distracting noise, and facial close-ups showcase fine details. No digital artifacts such as noise or pixelation mar this presentation. This remastering sets a new benchmark for classic film presentations on Blu-ray, serving as a high standard for future releases and thrilling both casual viewers and videophiles alike.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "My Fair Lady" features a thoroughly impressive new Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack, sourced from the original high-resolution presentation heard for the first time since the film's 1964 premiere. This upgrade from DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 delivers an increased level of nuance, heightened clarity, and noticeable separations that enhance the listening experience. The orchestral score sparkles with full-range clarity, capturing even the finest details of each instrument for a definition that feels almost tangible. The back channels are effectively utilized to create a richer, fuller sense of immersion without feeling artificially enhanced, enveloping the listener warmly and effortlessly. The vocal clarity is consistently strong across the board, with impeccably balanced lyrics and dialogue achieving a firm center placement amid the expansive musical backdrop.

Ambient effects shine in this track, with atmospheric elements such as crowd noise, rain in the opening sequence, and pub joviality presented more dimensionally and envelopingly. Surround activity is most prominent during musical numbers, with pronounced stereo separation up front that widens the sound field nicely. The orchestrations benefit from a wide dynamic range adeptly handling highs and lows without drastic level shifts, allowing for seamless song integration. Vocals, especially those of leads like Audrey Hepburn and her vocal double Marni Nixon, come through with impressive distinction and meticulously layered choral numbers. Some minor issues persist, notably slight distortion during the Ascot horserace sequence, but these are minimal in an otherwise flawless track. Overall, this Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track sets a new benchmark for home video audio presentations of this Oscar-winning classic.

The Blu-ray release of "My Fair Lady" is a treasure trove of extras that will delight any fan or film historian. While the audio commentary from the previous release is absent, numerous other supplements have been retained, and new additions provide further insight into this classic film. Presented mainly in 1080p, with some in 480i, the extras are featured on a dedicated Blu-ray disc. Highlights include a comprehensive making-of documentary, production tests, alternate Audrey Hepburn vocals, and various vintage newsreels and interviews. This meticulous curation offers a deep dive into the film’s creation and legacy, making it an engaging and informative collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• More Loverly Than Ever: The Making of My Fair Lady Then & Now: Detailed documentary on the film’s production and restoration.
• 1963 Production Kick-Off Dinner: Behind-the-scenes interviews and press conference.
• Los Angeles Premiere 10/28/1964: Star-studded newsreel footage.
• British Premiere: Vintage footage featuring cast and royal host.
• George Cukor Directs Baroness Bina Rothschild: Audio-visual snippet of Cukor’s directorial approach.
• Rex Harrison Radio Interview: Brief insights from the lead actor.
• Production Tests: Lighting, make-up, and screen tests with Alex Hyde-White’s commentary.
• Alternate Audrey Hepburn Vocals: Original vocal tracks for key musical numbers.
• Comments on a Lady: Interviews with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Martin Scorsese.
• Galleries: Extensive collection of sketches, production stills, and publicity materials.
• Theatrical Trailers: Various promotional trailers from different releases.
• The Story of a Lady: Insight into the origins of the film and its production.
• Design For a Lady: Focus on the film’s production design with input from Cecil Beaton.
• The Fairest Fair Lady: Promotional featurette on the film’s production process.
• Rex Harrison BFI Honor: Harrison receives recognition from the British Film Institute.
• Rex Harrison Golden Globe Acceptance Speech: Broadcast clip of Harrison's acceptance speech.
• Academy Awards Ceremony Highlights 4/5/65: Brief footage from the Oscar ceremony.

The blu-ray release of "My Fair Lady" is a must-own for any classic film enthusiast, boasting an exceptional restoration that elevates George Cukor’s Oscar-winning musical adaptation to new heights. Renowned Film Historian and Preservationist Robert A. Harris, known for his work on the restored edition of "Spartacus," spearheaded the meticulous restoration of both video and audio elements. The Blu-ray features a dazzling 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video transfer and an equally impressive Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack, replacing the previous edition that suffered from subpar picture quality and an inferior DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track.

Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s beloved stage musical finds its crowning achievement in this lush cinematic rendering, which captures every nuance of Lerner’s witty script and Loewe’s unforgettable score. Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison deliver iconic performances, with Harrison's portrayal of Henry Higgins described as both infectious and debonair, and Hepburn offering a tender, passionate turn as Eliza Doolittle. Despite controversy over Hepburn's non-singing role—dubbed by professional singer Marni Nixon—her embodiment of a complex character is worthy of Oscar recognition.

Director George Cukor’s meticulous attention to detail is vividly captured in the newly restored video, highlighting Cecil Beaton’s opulent costumes and the film’s vibrant color palette. The Blu-ray packaging complements this upscale production with a sleek metallic fold-out case, though it omits a commemorative booklet that would have further celebrated this cinematic treasure. The restoration faithfully preserves the artistic integrity of a film that remains pivotal in American musical cinema, featuring memorable songs like "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "On the Street Where You Live."

Overall, the 50th anniversary edition is a definitive release that film preservationists and fans alike will appreciate for its high technical quality and respectful homage to a timeless classic.

The Blu-ray release of "My Fair Lady" is nothing short of spectacular, exemplifying one of the best restorations ever undertaken for a classic film. The painstakingly detailed restoration ensures a razor-sharp, sumptuously colored image that is as close to perfection as imaginable. The picture quality dazzles with incredible clarity, vibrant colors, and impeccable detail that make each frame a visual delight. The transformation from previous releases is remarkable, bridging the gap between "decent enough" and near-perfect. Every new scene offers a visual feast that leaves viewers continually amazed.

The audio quality on this release matches the impressive picture quality, providing a practically revelatory experience. The sound is superb, showcasing a rich, dynamic range that brings the first-class score and impeccable performances to life with crystal-clear fidelity. The combination of extraordinary sound and visuals creates an immersive experience that stands as an ideal example of what Blu-ray technology can achieve for classic films.

In addition to impeccable video and audio quality, this release includes a plethora of supplemental materials that enrich the viewing experience. While the absence of a commentary track by Restoration Artist Robert A. Harris is a minor disappointment, the plethora of additional content more than compensates. This Blu-ray set is aptly packaged in a classy presentation, affirming its status as one of the fairest jewels in the Blu-ray classics catalogue.

Sometimes just saying wow is enough, so wow. "My Fair Lady's" restoration is truly a thing of beauty. The picture quality is absolutely dazzling, and the sound is practically a revelation. There's just not enough superlatives to describe the experience. This Blu-ray should be a centerpiece of any collection and earns the highest recommendation, poised to take a place of honor at the top of the year's best-of list.