Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - Splendor in the Grass -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

"Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
We will grieve not; rather find
Strength in what remains behind."

For those seeking a couple of hours of lighthearted entertainment, Elia Kazan's production based upon William Inge's screenplay is one to stay away from.

Warner Archive has finally released this beautiful film on Blu-ray, and it holds up beautifully.

Set in Kansas, between 1928 and 1930, the film ended up being shot in Manhattan, Westchester and Staten Island.

Color is magnificent, and it's interesting as cinematographer Boris Kaufman is best known for his black & white work.

Viewing suggestion: Lock away all sharp implements and luxuriate in the fractured relationship as set forth by Natalie Wood and newcomer Warren Beatty. Also the first screen appearance of Sandy Dennis, who would not make another film for five years.

Image

Forensic - 9
NSD - 10

Audio – 10 (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - Very much so

Slipcover rating - n/a

Looks like Film - Yes

Highly Recommended

RAH




Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

Amazon.com

 

[Sultanofcinema]

Has been one of my most beloved films since first viewing. Away with my snapper case!

 

[Wes Candela]

"Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
We will grieve not; rather find
Strength in what remains behind."

For those seeking a couple of hours of lighthearted entertainment, Elia Kazan's production based upon William Inge's screenplay is one to start away from.

Warner Archive has finally released this beautiful film on Blu-ray, and it holds up beautifully.

Set in Kansas, between 1928 and 1930, the film ended up being shot in Manhattan, Westchester and Staten Island.

Color is magnificent, and it's interesting as cinematographer Boris Kaufman is best known for his black & white work.

Viewing suggestion: Lock away all sharp implements and luxuriate in the fractured relationship as set forth by Natalie Wood and newcomer Warren Beatty. Also the first screen appearance of Sandy Dennis, who would not make another film for five years.

Image

Forensic - 9
NSD - 10

Audio – 10 (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - Very much so

Slipcover rating - n/a

Looks like Film - Yes

Highly Recommended

RAH




Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

Amazon.com

Love this movie love it looking forward to this

 

[KMR]

How could you fail to mention the brief but amazing performance by Zohra Lampert?

Thanks for the review. I've been waiting for this on Blu-ray for a long time.

 

[Robin9]

How could you fail to mention the brief but amazing performance by Zohra Lampert?

Thanks for the review. I've been waiting for this on Blu-ray for a long time.

Thank you for posting that. I was going to post something similar yesterday but was too idle to do so. I like Zohra Lampert a lot although I haven't seen much of her work.

 

[Robert Crawford]

How about mentioning Pat Hingle, who was great in this movie? Just kidding because you can't mention everyone in RAH's brief summation.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

RAH, your dry wit, as always, is appreciated.

 

[DarkVader]

Speaking of no mentions: BARBARA LODEN

 

[Bill Huelbig]

And Gary Lockwood. And Phyllis Diller. What a great cast!

 

[Bill Huelbig]

Thank you for posting that. I was going to post something similar yesterday but was too idle to do so. I like Zohra Lampert a lot although I haven't seen much of her work.

If you like Zohra, you've got to see her in this.

 

[Robin9]

If you like Zohra, you've got to see her in this.

I have seen her in this. I saw the film in a cinema, I have the DVD and I'm buying the new Blu-ray disc.

I also have on DVD-R Pay Or Die in which Zohra Lampert has an important role.

 

[Sultanofcinema]

I will always remember in 1967 going to the theater and hearing Ms. Lampert's scream ( as Bruce Dern's wife) as she looks thru the garage window at the dead bodies of Bug's Moran's men opening up the titles for Roger Corman's St Valentine's Day Massacre.

 

[Sultanofcinema]

I just finished screening Splendor In The Grass and am a little mystified that this spectacular looking release was not done as a 4K.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I just finished screening Splendor In The Grass and am a little mystified that this spectacular looking release was not done as a 4K.

I’m not as “Highly Society” will probably move more units.

 

[mskaye]

"Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
We will grieve not; rather find
Strength in what remains behind."

For those seeking a couple of hours of lighthearted entertainment, Elia Kazan's production based upon William Inge's screenplay is one to stay away from.

Warner Archive has finally released this beautiful film on Blu-ray, and it holds up beautifully.

Set in Kansas, between 1928 and 1930, the film ended up being shot in Manhattan, Westchester and Staten Island.

Color is magnificent, and it's interesting as cinematographer Boris Kaufman is best known for his black & white work.

Viewing suggestion: Lock away all sharp implements and luxuriate in the fractured relationship as set forth by Natalie Wood and newcomer Warren Beatty. Also the first screen appearance of Sandy Dennis, who would not make another film for five years.

Image

Forensic - 9
NSD - 10

Audio – 10 (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - Very much so

Slipcover rating - n/a

Looks like Film - Yes

Highly Recommended

RAH




Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

Amazon.com

Thank you for acknowledging the great Boris Kaufman - one of the most gifted cinematographers in cinema history. Awe is the word I have for his visual gifts - he worked with the great Jean Vigo, Kazan, Lumet, Ritt, GR Hill...Really one of the true titans of cinematography. For that reason alone I want this film on day one. PS -not sure most people know that he was the brother of the visionary Russian documentary filmmaker and theorist Dziga Vertov (born David Kaufman)...

 

[bujaki]

Thank you for acknowledging the great Boris Kaufman - one of the most gifted cinematographers in cinema history. Awe is the word I have for his visual gifts - he worked with the great Jean Vigo, Kazan, Lumet, Ritt, GR Hill...Really one of the true titans of cinematography. For that reason alone I want this film on day one. PS -not sure most people know that he was the brother of the visionary Russian documentary filmmaker and theorist Dziga Vertov (born David Kaufman)...

Vigo's and Kaufman's talents lift L'Atalante to heights of ecstasy.

 

[mskaye]

Vigo's and Kaufman's talents lift L'Atalante to heights of ecstasy.

Truly one of the most beautifully photographed films.

 

[bujaki]

Truly one of the most beautifully photographed films.

As well as one of the most erotic.

 

[Robert Harris]

I just finished screening Splendor In The Grass and am a little mystified that this spectacular looking release was not done as a 4K.

SitG is beautifully shot, but would be wasted in 4k. The difference between 2k and 2k at 10-12 feet.

Pretty much zero.

4k discs are expensive to produce. The process should only be used for 35/2 - 35/4 when the production really cries out for it.

I could put together a short list of spherical and (especially) Panavision 35/4 productions that would have an advantage via 4k.

Splendor in the Grass would not be on that list.

Keep in mind, we’re not generally reproducing what’s on the negative. It’s the print.

 

[Sultanofcinema]

SitG is beautifully shot, but would be wasted in 4k. The difference between 2k and 2k at 10-12 feet.

Pretty much zero.

4k discs are expensive to produce. The process should only be used for 35/2 - 35/4 when the production really cries out for it.

I could put together a short list of spherical and (especially) Panavision 35/4 productions that would have an advantage via 4k.

Splendor in the Grass would not be on that list.

Keep in mind, we’re not generally reproducing what’s on the negative. It’s the print.

Sir, understandable and many thanks, but... I still miss my Cue Marks!