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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Robert Altman
USA 1975
The funniest epic vision of America ever to reach the screen. Robert Altman's movie is at once a GRAND HOTEL-style narrative, with 24 linked characters; a country-and-Western musical; a documentary essay on Nashville and American life; a meditation on the love affair between performers and audiences; and an Altman party. In the opening sequences, when Altman's people-the performers we associate with him because he has used them in ways no one else would think of, and they've been filtered through his sensibility-start arriving, and pile up in a traffic jam on the way from the airport to the city, the movie suggests the circus procession at the non-ending of 81. But Altman's clowns are far more autonomous; they move and intermingle freely, and the whole movie is their procession. The basic script is by Joan Tewkesbury, but the actors have been encouraged to work up material for their roles, and not only do they do their own singing but most of them wrote their own songs-and wrote them in character. The songs distill the singers' lives, as the pantomimes and theatrical performances did for the actors in CHILDREN OF PARADISE. |
Posters
Theatrical Release: June 11th, 1975
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Comparison:
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aramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray RIGHT
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NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.
ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (May 2013): Despite Master's of Cinema's more robust transfer, my software, and my eye, can distinguish no difference in the image quality. Perhaps if blown-up extensively there might be some minor artifact differences. So, the UK 1080P video is as strong as Criterion's. Audio is, likewise, duplicated with a healthy DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3665 kbps. It also offers optional English subtitles although the MoC is region 'B'-locked to Criterion's region 'A' coded Blu-ray. So the content differences come in the supplements. Included is the same audio commentary featuring director Robert Altman and the same 2001 'Conversation' with the director running over a dozen minutes. What is different is a 2001 interview with Altman filmed in London, in the summer of 2001 - just after he had completed the filming of Gosford Park. He responds to questions for a total length over 10-minutes. There is a 25-minute conversation with writer Joan Tewksbury filmed in Los Angeles in October 2001. She discusses meeting Altman and being aware of his work. Altman invited her to join him on McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) and she subsequently wrote the screen plays for Thieves Like Us (1974) and Nashville. At the same time was an interview with actor Michael Murphy for 13-minutes. He discusses Altman and some of the roles he played in his films. There is also a theatrical trailer and the package comes with a 36-Page liner notes booklet with a new essay, vintage stills and more.
This is a fantastic release and region 'B'-locked audiences will be thrilled to own this Blu-ray package. Our highest recommendation!
***
ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (November 2013): There isn't any comments necessary about the image except 'OMG'. It establishes that Nashville was meant to be seen in your Home Theatre on Blu-ray, or rather it was NOT meant for the SD medium. The DVD looks very green beside the 1080P. Colors (notable flesh tones) move to realism, grain is prominent, contrast pristine - more information in the frame. It looks exactly as it should. Bravo!
The DTS-HD Master in 5.1 surround at 3749 kbps still separates Altman's trademark scattered dialogue emanating from all over the Soundstage. The music is where you might notice the most dominance in resonance with song written by Arlene Barnett, Jonnie Barnett, Karen Black, Ronee Blakley, Gary Busey, Juan Grizzle, Allan F. Nicholls, Dave Peel and Joe Raposo and performances by Carradine, Barbara Harris, Blakley, Henry Gibson, Lily Tomlin, Karen Black and others. It has super depth, range and adds the best vérité aura pushing background and foreground effects throughout your Home Theatre. Brilliant. Just brilliant. Criterion offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.
Criterion include the Altman audio commentary recorded in 2000. Most have heard it must it is appropriate to have it on the Blu-ray presentation. What stands as a wonderful new supplements in the new (produced by Criterion), 2013, 1-hour 11-minute documentary on the making of the film, featuring interviews with actors Ronee Blakley, Keith Carradine, Michael Murphy, Allan Nicholls, and Lily Tomlin; screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury; assistant director Alan Rudolph; and Altman’s widow, Kathryn Reed Altman. They recount the production that Pauline Kael called "The funniest version of America ever to reach the screen' (see our above review excerpt). There are also three archival interviews with Altman - from 1975 running 26:36, from 2000 running 12;13 and from 2002 last 7:50. We get the dozen-minutes of behind-the-scenes footage and an audio demo of Carradine performing his songs from the film for the same length of time. lastly is a trailer and the package contains a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Molly Haskell. This is a 'dual-format' package and also contains two DVDs, with all content available on the Blu-ray.
One of the best Blu-ray packages I've seen this year. Our highest recommendation. I expect this will receive ample support in our Year-End Poll. Please indulge yourself - you won't be disappointed! *** ON THE DVD: Paramount released a pretty decent DVD of Nashville in 2000. The image is a little grainy but quite sharp and it presents wonderful colors. The audio mix is excellent, as are the subtitles.
Main extra here is the Altman commentary. While very informative
and interesting at most times, there are also some gaps in here.
Still, it's great to hear the director talk about his masterful
film. The 12-minute interview repeats a lot of the information
from the audio commentary. |
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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
1) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) Blu-rays - BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) Blu-rays - BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) Blu-rays - BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) Blu-rays - BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) Blu-rays - BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) Blu-rays - BOTTOM
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