Sting, The (HD DVD)

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Video:
The thing is, when Universal first issued the movie on DVD, they presented the picture in a 1.33:1 ratio format only, which made people wonder at the time if the studio had derived it directly from the movie's original 1.37:1 camera ratio (from which they matted the theatrical release to widescreen), or whether they were giving us a pan-and-scan revision. When Universal issued their special edition in widescreen, however, it was clear from the trimming they made to the top and bottom of the screen that the studio had probably transferred the first DVD directly from the camera negative. Be that as it may, the 1.85:1 (rendered here at 1.78:1) ratio we have on the new SD-DVD and on this even-newer HD-DVD is pretty much what viewers saw in movie theaters, and that is what I would guess most home-theater enthusiasts want to see.

The 1080 high-definition video quality is fine, the colors vivid and well separated. There is some graininess in the opening scenes, but it decreases as the film goes on. Definition is crisp, with occasional shots, like those outdoors in broad daylight, having an almost three-dimensional quality to them. Black levels are properly deep, although in darker areas of the screen things get a tad murky. No cause for alarm, though; it's a good transfer.

Audio:
The English soundtracks come in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus 2.0. They have come a long way from the old monaural soundtrack available on the VHS tapes and first DVDs. In DD+, one notices an appropriately thumpy bass in the Joplin rags, a midrange well-balanced with the rest of the sonic spectrum, and an especially well-extended high end. The front stereo spread is not too wide, but it suffices; the audio's overall clarity is outstanding; and the transient response is reasonably quick. However, there is not much opportunity to exploit the audio's strengths, nor is there much going on in the surrounds beyond some sporadically noticeable musical ambience. In all, it still does a nice job with the music.

Extras:
The big extra here is "The Art of the Sting," 2005, a fifty-five-minute documentary on the making of the film, which comes in three parts that the viewer can play separately but which work better as a single unit. "The Perfect Script," "Making a Masterpiece," and "The Legacy" include recent comments by the stars--Newman, Redford, Walston, Durning, Brennan, and Arliss (Shaw having passed away years ago)--plus writer David Ward. Following that, there are text production notes; a theatrical trailer in non-anamorphic widescreen; English, French, and Spanish spoken languages; and French and Spanish subtitles, with English captions for the hearing impaired.

In addition, Universal's HD-DVD contains sixteen scene selections, pop-out menus, an indicator of elapsed time, "My Scenes" bookmarks, and an HD keep case with one of those annoying little latches on the side.

Parting Thoughts:
The HD-DVD edition of "The Sting" is probably about as good as gets, with the best picture and sound the film has ever enjoyed in the home and a perfectly acceptable slate of bonus items. In the parlance of the day, everything about it is jake.

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