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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Amy Heckerling
USA 1982

 

The wild world of adolescence has rarely been captured with as sharp an observational eye as in this refreshingly smart, frank spin on the teen comedy by director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe—for each of whom it kicked off a hugely successful film career. Based on Crowe’s experiences going undercover as a student at a Southern California high school, Fast Times at Ridgemont High blends hormone-fueled hilarity with an almost sociological examination of the 1980s teenage experience: the shopping mall hangouts, fast-food jobs, buzzkill teachers, awkward dates, and first experiences of love and sex. This pop-culture touchstone launched to stardom practically an entire cast of unknowns—including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Forest Whitaker, Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz, and Sean Penn as stoner icon Jeff Spicoli—and broke new ground in its raw yet sensitive depiction of the realities of coming of age.

***

Based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe, Fast Times follows a group of high school students growing up in Southern California. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. At the center of the film is Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer who faces-off with the resolute Mr. Handa man convinced that everyone is on dope.

Posters

Theatrical Release: August 13th, 1982

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Comparison:

Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

  

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Universal Home Video - Region FREE - NTSC Criterion Spine #1075 - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:29:38.373         1:30:07.860 
Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,568,380,886 bytes

Feature: 25,307,516,928 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.66 Mbps

Codec: VC-1 Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 49,719,574,908 bytes

Feature: 26,244,765,696 bytes

Video Bitrate: 33.09 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate Universal Blu-ray:

Bitrate Criterion Blu-ray:

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2748 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2748 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3521 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3521 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles English (SDH), French, Spanish, None English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Universal

 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,568,380,886 bytes

Feature: 25,307,516,928 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.66 Mbps

Codec: VC-1 Video

 

Edition Details:

• Commentary by Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe
• Reliving Our Fast Times at Ridgemont High (38:24 in 480i)
• The Music of Fast Times at Ridgemont High (identifies artist as film runs)
• Theatrical Trailer (1:36 in 480i)
• My Scenes


Blu-ray Release Date:
August 9th, 2011
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 18

Release Information:
Studio:
Criterion

 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 49,719,574,908 bytes

Feature: 26,244,765,696 bytes

Video Bitrate: 33.09 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Audio commentary from 1999 featuring Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe
Television version of the film from the eighties, featuring deleted and alternate scenes (1:35:07)
New conversation with Heckerling and Crowe, moderated by filmmaker Olivia Wilde (34:27)
Reliving Our “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” a 1999 documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew (39:16)
Audio discussion from 1982 with Heckerling at the American Film Institute (47:42)
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
PLUS: An essay by film critic Dana Stevens and, for the Blu-ray edition, a new introduction by Crowe


Blu-ray Release Date:
May 11th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 11

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (April 2021): Criterion have transferred Amy Heckerling's Fast Times at Ridgemont High to Blu-ray. It is described as a "New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director Amy Heckerling". Okay, so there are issues. The Universal was in the inferior VC-1 encode - I thought it looked okay back when we reviewed it almost 10 years ago. Under more scrutiny it is glossy and can look brittle (minor digitization), but I thought that suited the film. The Criterion is notably cropped beside the original Blu-ray - the right (information is there on the included TV version - see below) and bottom edges especially but also less so on the top and left. I have no explanation for this. There is a big shift in colors too, cooler flesh tones (Jeff Spicoli has lost his surfer tan!) but reds (school jacket, Forest Whitaker's  track suit, fast-food uniforms etc.) gain boldness and look 'red' as opposed to more orange-y. It has a heaviness. We have seen this film-like softness' before in 4K-restored images via 1080P. This is another feature I can't explain - I am only the messenger - you can see via the matched screen captures. Essentially, by comparison, the image is cropped, deeper colors, but heavier with less perceived depth and no gloss.

Criterion on this transfer: 'Thank you for your concern regarding our recent release of FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. There's no error.

We set up the framing using a SMPTE framing chart for 35mm and 1.85 (attached). While it appeared that the older transfer was zoomed out slightly less, our version is 100% accurate to the chart.

Furthermore, director Amy Heckerling had not been involved in any aspect of the older transfer but did approve this framing, color, and all other elements of the Criterion release.

Overall, the difference is minor and the range of any discrepancies is similar to what you might see in a theater screening.
" (Thanks Alex for sending to us.)

NOTE: We have added 39 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original English language. There aren't an abundance of aggressive separations - maybe during the football game - and while there is no credited score we get a wide sampling of the early 80's pop, and other, the music by Ravyns, Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, The Go-Go's, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Billy Squier, The Cars, Sammy Hagar, Led Zeppelin, Donna Summer. It all sounds quite buoyant in the lossless - more technically robust than the Universal. Criterion offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' / 'B' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray includes the commentary track, recorded in 1999 - that is also on the Universal BD and previous digital editions, featuring director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe. It covers quite a lot of data and how seriously the project was taken despite the perceived minimalization regarding the teen-comedy genre. Criterion also include the 1999, 40-minute documentary "Reliving Our Fast Times at Ridgemont High" featuring director Amy Heckerling, screenwriter Cameron Crowe, producer Art Linson, casting director Don Phillips, and actors Brian Backer, Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Eric Stoltz, Scott Thomson, and Ray Walston. This was also on the 2011 Universal Blu-ray. Many (including a buddy of mine) will appreciate the ninety-five-minute version of Fast Times at Ridgemont High that was edited and dubbed for television broadcast in the 1980s. It includes some alternate footage not in the theatrical version. It is about 10 Gig in size but is in 1080P (no subtitles) and is in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio with lesser quality than the theatrical cut. There is a 3/4 hour audio discussion from 1982 with Heckerling at the American Film Institute and a new 35-minute video conversation with Heckerling and Crowe, moderated by filmmaker Olivia Wilde. This is also quite interesting to reflect back on the film, it's impact and memories of the production. There are liner notes with an essay by film critic Dana Stevens and, for the Blu-ray edition, a new introduction by Crowe.

Amy Heckerling's Fast Times at Ridgemont High has really embedded itself into our culture gaining a strong niche following with the young Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, nubile Phoebe Cates, the memorable dialogue between Spicoli and Mr. Hand (Ray Walston); "You Dick!", while also speaking to real teen and maturity issues in a seriously addressed and authentic expression. It's a very well-made film despite the negative slant on the, generalized, teen-comedy genre. The Criterion Blu-ray video transfer will be discussed but it, negligibly, has the best audio and having the important commentary and documentary also here - we also get the addition of desirable TV version in HD, and, Heckerling at the AFI plus the director and Crowe, moderated by Wilde in a new video conversation plus the liner notes. Fans will probably find enough valid reasons to double-dip on this title. 

Gary Tooze

 


Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion (Theatrical) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Criterion (TV version) - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

 
Box Cover

 

  

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Universal Home Video - Region FREE - NTSC Criterion Spine #1075 - Region 'A' / 'B' - Blu-ray


 


 

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