While The Power of the Dog is currently lapping up accolades – and awards – left and right, this kind of acclaim is nothing new to director Jane Campion. Starting with Sweetie (1989) and An Angel at My Table (1990), the New Zealander attracted international attention and acclaim for her ability to tell stories that are both realistic and spiritual at the same time. Her breakthrough movie – one which made her the first female filmmaker to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes – that got her even wider attention was The Piano. Previously released on Blu-ray by Lionsgate, Criterion has picked up the film for inclusion in the collection as a UHD Blu-ray dual format release.
The Production: 5/5
In a remote part of mid-19th Century New Zealand, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) – a mute Scottish woman since the age of 6 for unknown reasons – arrives with her daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) as the mail order bride of frontiersman Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill). Also arriving with them is Ada’s hand-crafted piano, which is her way of truly expressing her emotions; however, the piano is left behind on the beach but quickly swapped up by fellow frontiersman George Baines (Harvey Keitel) in a trade with Alisdair. What soon happens is the beginning of an attraction between George and Ada that will unlock even deeper passions within her amidst the battle of wills between not only the two, but also Alisdair as well.
Nearly 30 years after it debuted to the world, The Piano is still one of the best examples of filmmaking not only from a woman director, but from New Zealand as well. Jane Campion imbues this unique fable (which she wrote in addition to directing) with a stirring sense of the mystical as well as the romantic and exotic in its central story. That touch of mystique is equally extended to the production values on display here; kudos absolutely have to go to cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh, production designer Andrew McAlpine, costume designer Janet Patterson and composer Michael Nyman in creating a mood that’s both enveloping and intoxicating without being too suffocating at the same time. Best of all, the writer/director makes the proceedings have a feeling of spontaneity and a sense of unpredictability that’s absolutely refreshing throughout. Right from its opening shot to the finale, The Piano bristles with unbridled energy that’s haunting and evocative of the era it depicts.
In a well-deserved Oscar win for Best Actress here, Holly Hunter gives likely the best performance of her career as the mute Ada; the same year this movie came out, she would also be nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in Sydney Pollack’s film adaptation of John Grisham’s The Firm. Harvey Keitel has one of his best performances here – one that was overlooked come Oscar time – as the rough yet equally passionate Baines, while Sam Neill makes for a comprehensive yet emotionally distant Alisdair. Every much Hunter’s equal here is Anna Paquin in an Oscar winning performance – beating out her on-screen mom in the Best Supporting Actress category – as Flora; she’s become better known for her performances as Rogue in the X-Men films and as Sookie Stackhouse on TV’s True Blood. The four are the film’s heart and soul, but mention should be given to supporting players Kerry Walker as Alisdair’s aunt Morag, Genevieve Lemon as housemaid Nessie, Ian Mune as the reverend, Peter Dennett as the head seaman who brings Ada and Flora to shore at the beginning of the film and Tungia Baker, Cliff Curtis and Mika Haka as a few of the Maori natives on the island.
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
The film is presented in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio on both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs, taken from a brand new 4K transfer – overseen by both director Jane Campion and cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh – created for this release; on the UHD Blu-ray, the film is presented in Dolby Vision HDR, while the Blu-ray presents the movie in HD SDR. Film grain is organic and faithfully represented along with fine details and color palette; there’s little to no issues like scratches, tears, vertical lines or dirt present here. This release likely represents the best the movie will ever look on home video, easily surpassing all previous incarnations on DVD and Blu-ray.
Audio: 5/5
The film’s original 5.1 surround soundtrack is presented on a DTS-HD Master Audio track for this release. Dialogue is strong, clear and faithfully represented, a quality that carries over to both the sound mix and Michael Nyman’s hauntingly beautiful score; there’s little to no problems like distortion, crackling, hissing or popping present here. This release also likely represents the best the movie will ever sound on home video, also surpassing previous releases.
Special Features: 5/5
On both UHD & Blu-ray discs
Commentary by director Jane Campion & producer Jan Chapman – Recorded in 2006, Campion and Chapman reflect on the making of the movie as well as some of the themes within it.
On the Blu-ray disc only
Conversation between Campion and film critic Amy Taubin (26:51) – In this newly filmed featurette, the director discusses her approaches to storytelling and filmmaking, especially in regard to this film.
Shooting The Piano (9:51) – In this newly filmed interview, cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh talks about how he and Campion developed the visual style for the film.
Andrew McAlpine on The Piano (12:30) – The production designer talks about how he recreated the Victorian era New Zealand setting in this new interview.
Waihoroi Shortland on The Piano (14:08) – The film’s Maori advisor talks about how the dialogue and customs were faithfully brought to the screen in this interview.
2018 Filmstruck interview with Holly Hunter (23:10) – Filmed for the now defunct FilmStruck streaming service, TCM host Alicia Malone conducts the interview with Hunter, who shares her memories of working with Campion.
The Piano at 25 (30:48) – This 2018 featurette showcases Campion and Chapman sharing their memories on the film’s production while revisiting Karekare Beach, one of the filming locations featured in the movie.
2005 interview with Michael Nyman (50:43) – The film’s composer shares how he created the sumptuous score for the movie as well as other insights into working with Campion.
Excerpts from a 2015 interview with Janet Patterson (17:43) – From the 2015 interview conducted by Adam Bowen for the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, the film’s costume designer talks a little bit about her career as well as her work on the film.
Inside The Piano (15:08) – The original 1993 behind-the-scenes featurette featuring interviews with Campion, Chapman, Hunter, Sam Neill and Harvey Keitel.
The Water Diary (17:53) – Campion’s segment from the 2006 anthology film 8.
Theatrical Trailer (2:27)
Pamphlet feat. an essay by critic Carmen Gray
Overall: 5/5
A winner with both critics and audiences upon first release, The Piano is not only the masterwork of director Jane Campion, but also one of the best films of the 1990’s on any continent. Criterion has likely delivered the definitive edition of the movie on home video, with a stellar HD transfer on both UHD and regular Blu-ray discs and a wealth of informative special features on the latter disc. Very highly recommended and absolutely worth upgrading from previous releases.
Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.
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