The Silence Of The Lambs (1991/MGM Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: A-     Film: A

 

 

There is something compelling about Thomas Harris’ The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) that continues to endure and though there is some great cut footage and parts of the book not in the film, there is something amazing about its pacing, editing, acting and ideas that just start instantly and never let up.  It is a Horror Thriller and one of the few that can proudly wear the name “psychological” as it continues to be one of the most imitated and quoted films of our time.  We first covered the film in two different DVD versions at this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/190/Silence+of+the+Lambs+(First+MGM

 

 

No version has been totally satisfactory when it comes to extras and playback, but the new Blu-ray from MGM is pretty close to everything you could want, if not everything.  For one thing, the extras Criterion did for their 12” LaserDisc that also landed up on their DVD version (both out of print) are owned by them, so they would not be on an MGM version and the companies do not get along as of this posting.  MGM then did their own extras (Image put out the first DVD, a basic version in a cardboard snapper that was nothing to write home about) for the first DVD they released, then expanded those in a second.  All of those extras are on the Blu-ray.  Diehard fans will still want to have the Criterion DVD if they can get it.

 

Then there is the playback.  Criterion’s 12” LaserDisc was the first time the film was available widescreen as the Orion Home Video 12” LaserDisc was at 1.33 X 1 and the film was shot soft matte, meaning it is 1.33, but framed for 1.85 X 1 presentation.  1.85 is also the frame on this 1080p MPEG-2 @ 19 MBPS digital High Definition version that outdoes all previous versions of the film on home video, if still lacking in some ways.  Colors can look a bit faded, while definition can still be an issue in some shots, though Director of Photography Tak Fujimoto used many close shots of faces without worrying about the focus going slightly out here and there, so that is actually the film and not this transfer.  The final reason this looks so solid is because this is a different print than the Criterion or MGM DVD prints and has far less flaws, better Video White, better Video Black and is the best I have seen it since my 35mm screenings.

 

The DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) lossless 5.1 mix is far superior to the Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 presentations on all previous DVDs, though it lacks some of the detail and bass of the impressive Dolby SR (Spectral Recording, their advanced analog system) 4.0 master that sounded best off of the PCM 2.0 Stereo tracks with rich Pro Logic surrounds from the Criterion 12” LaserDisc.  This DTS remix is fuller and richer than all other non PCM versions, but can be more towards the front than the original mix was.  Two other points of example to check out include the electronic sounds of the dungeon prison as Clarice goes to her first visit with Lecter, where that sound should surround the room better in this DTS mix.  Second, you can hear loss of impact (second generation sound or bad mixing choices) when Lecter slams the door with paper documents Clarice has brought for him to fill out.  The questionnaire he refers to as a “blunt little tool” and the slam is supposed to intimidate her.  It would do that to us to if it was stronger on the soundtrack here.  Still, it is smooth and does not totally botch the SR soundfield like so many 5.1 upgrades have, but should go back to the magnetic master next time.

 

Extras includes 20 minutes of deleted scenes, but M-G-M takes them from film footage supposedly lost when the Criterion version was made, an outtakes section, old 1991 promo documentary, new documentary for the DVD called Inside The Labyrinth, Hopkins “phone message”, photo gallery and section of teasers/TV spots/theatrical trailers from the first DVD.  It also adds featurettes Breaking The Silence, Understanding The Madness, Scoring The Silence and The Silence Of The Lambs: From Page To Screen from the newer MGM DVD release.  That makes this a solid disc with fine extras, but the film is so important, we’ll see a newer special edition down the line, but any serious Blu-ray collection cannot do without this version of The Silence Of The Lambs.  Now if they could just issue Hannibal on Blu-ray.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo