- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,311
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Frank Capra's 1934 It Happened One Night was shot on a tiny budget during the depression years. Its leading actor, Clark Gable was sold into veritable slavery by M-G-M for being problematic, and sent across town to Columbia. As a result of his punishment, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film took all five of the major awards his leading lady, Claudette Colbert, his director, Mr. Capra and screenwriter, Robert Riskin.
The fifth award was Best Picture of 1934.
Criterion's new Blu-ray of this extraordinary film, is not only a testament to filmmaking of the era -- the film is as fresh and entertaining today as it was eighty years ago -- but of that trade we call film restoration.
Selecting the finest surviving film elements for image and audio, Columbia's Rita Belda,who oversaw the project took Grover Crisp's normal "no prisoners" approach to the task, and along with colorist Scott Ostrowski, created a digital restoration that at once mimics the looks and textures of black and white nitrate film -- that occasionally glowing silvery look bathed in charcoally accents -- but is accessible on one of those tiny Blu-ray discs.
The work is perfect.
One of the greatest romantic comedies in the history of film, finally makes it way to home video on Blu-ray with absolute perfection.
One my very short list for Best Blu-ray Classic release of 2014.
Image - 5*
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Extremely Highly Recommended
For those unaware, miss this one at your peril.
RAH