Raging Bull (1980/MGM Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: A- Film: A-
Martin
Scorsese’s classic Raging Bull is
hitting Blu-ray and after many disappointing versions in low-def formats all
the way to DVD, has arrived in a pretty good transfer worthy of its complex
look and editing. You can read more
about the film in our DVD coverage at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1946/Scorsese+-+The+Martin+Scorsese
As DeNiro
has become a big star and done more commercial films in recent years, the film
stands as one of his most stunning triumphs and many do not know that Joe Pesci
played his brother in the picture. It
has all aged extremely well and if you did not know the stars and their
history, you would swear you were watching a documentary. A classic always offers something new when
you watch it and this is no exception.
If anything, I think I enjoy the film, more than ever and also shows Scorsese
as one of the all-time filmmaking masters.
The 1080p
1.85 X 1 AVC @ 28 MBPS image is black and white most of the time and is one of
the last black and white films made that used real monochrome footage with
silver content. Save a few brief color
stills, it is various shades of black & white. The grain is intentional and there are some
shots that may seem detail challenged, but the majority of the shots are
amazing and some offer the best detail in a black and white film we have seen
to date, and not just because it is one of the latter ones made. Now you can see the nuanced detail Michael
Chapman, A.S.C., caught here that DVD could not show on its best day. If anything, the best moments and shots here
will give viewers a new appreciation of monochrome and those who only want to
watch color films and videos will be converted.
The DTS
HD Master Audio (MA) 5.1 mix is interesting because it shows the age of the
film’s audio, but Scorsese intended the film to sound older and of its time
except for the music score and other non-diegetic sound elements. A Dolby analog A-type Stereo theatrical
release, the film has sometimes been issued on home video in monophonic sound
mistakenly many assume it is to this say.
This is about the best this is ever going to sound. This also has the same extras as the previous
DVD we covered, making this a great back catalog Blu-ray.
- Nicholas Sheffo
