Last Emperor, The: The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray)
APPROX. 165 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 1987 - MPA RATING: NR
" That rare breed of film that is both pure Oscar bait and a thoroughly compelling work.
Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.
VIDEO
As with the SD release, the transfer is presented in the unusual 2.0:1 aspect ratio. Though the film was originally screened in 2.2:1, Vittorio Storaro chooses to present the film for home video in a 2.0:1 aspect ratio. If you´re angry about not getting the "original" aspect ratio, take it up with Vittorio. Compared to the SD release, the Blu-Ray shows the expected improvements in resolution and also in color brightness. The SD transfer was great, and this is just as good on the BR scale.
AUDIO
The Blu-Ray disc is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0. I noticed no significant differences from the SD release, but I am no audiophile. Optional English subtitles support the English dialogue. Chinese dialogue that is sometimes heard in the background is not subtitled as was the case with the film´s original release and the SD release.
EXTRAS
ATTENTION: Though this Blu-Ray release is patterned after the 4-disc special edition from February 2008, there is one major difference. The 218-minute television version of the film (compared to the 165 theatrical version), which took up Disc 2 in the SD release, is NOT offered here.
Aside from that all the extras from the 4-disc set are re-presented here. There are so many, I will simply provide them in checklist form.
-Commentary by Bertolucci, producer Jeremy Thomas, screenwriter Mark Peploe and composer-actor Ryuichi Sakamoto.
--"The Italian Traveler: Bernardo Bertolucci" (53 min) is a documentary by Fernand Moszkowicz (assistant director on "Last Tango in Paris") which follows Bertolucci´s "geographical influences" as he turned his eye from Europe to the Far East.
-"Bernardo Bertolucci´s Chinese Adventure" (1986, 51 min) is an on-set documentary shot by Paolo Brunatto.
-"Making ´The Last Emperor´" (45 min) pays tribute to the film´s sweep of the technical Oscar awards in 1988. The feature includes new interviews with Storaro, editor Gabriela Cristiana, costume designer James Acheson, and art director Gianni Silvestri.
-"Postcards from China" (8 min) offers some video footage shot by Bertolucci while scouting locations in China.
-An episode of the British TV series "The Southbank Show" (66 min) explores Bertolucci´s creative process during the shooting of "The Last Emperor."
-A 1989 episode of the British TV series "Late Night: Face to Face" (30 min) sees host Jeremy Isaacs interviewing Bertolucci about his Oscar win and his creative influences.
-"Beyond the Forbidden City" (45 min) provides a welcome relief from the onslaught of "making of" documentaries. Cultural historian Ian Buruma provides historical context about the massive changes in China during Pu Yi´s life.
-Finally (whew!) the collection is rounded out by an interview with David Byrne, co-composer of "Emperor". This new interview (25 min) was recorded in 2007 for the Criterion Collection.
The 4-disc release came with a chunk 96-page insert booklet. As has been with the case with most of the other Blu-Ray releases from Criterion, the insert booklet in this edition is much skimpier. In fact, it´s just a puny 16-pager which only contains the David Thomson essay from the thicker booklet. Bummer. I like booklets.
FILM VALUE
I wouldn´t wish most Oscar-winning films on my worst enemy, let alone a film with nine Oscar wins, but "The Last Emperor" is that rare breed of film that is both pure Oscar bait and a thoroughly compelling work. It might a bit too stately and dignified for my taste, but that´s really a minor quibble. Bertolucci balances the epic with the personal in a high-wire act that would make a Wallenda blush, and breathes into what could have otherwise been a staid and stagy project.
Compared to the 4-disc SD release, the Blu-Ray is missing the 215-minute television version of the film, and also has a much smaller insert booklet. In exchange, you get the usual improvement in sharpness and color richness. The Blu-Ray also isn´t nearly as attractively packages as the sturdy, multi-winged 4-disc release. I admit a great fondness for the sheer heft of a boxed set in my hands. I suspect most of you don´t care as much. If you´re on the fence, factor in the price. At full retail, the Blu-Ray is actually priced $20 cheaper than the 4-disc release.
Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.
Learn more about our rating system »
