Intrigue and suspense are the order of the day, and nothing is as it appears to be. Inscrutable, to be sure, and a wonderfully entertaining motion picture.
Others in a strong cast include John Hillerman, Perry Lopez, Diane Ladd, and Burt Young. The film was written by Robert Towne and produced by Robert Evans. It was nominated for a ton of Oscars--Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, etc.--ultimately winning Best Screenplay for Towne.
Video:
Paramount's usual high standard of excellence is in evidence everywhere in this DVD transfer. Colors are vibrant, skin tones are natural, definition is sharp, and digital deficiencies are nowhere to be found. The film's theatrical Panavision size is largely preserved in a 2.21:1 screen ratio.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is also quite good. Apparently remixed from the original source, there is now good right and left rear-channel information adding to the soundtrack's ambiance. The front stereo spread can sometimes seem too narrow, but then it opens up again to a respectable width.
Extras:
The major bonus item is a thirteen-minute documentary featuring interviews with Polanski, Evans, and Towne. It is accountably louder in volume than the feature film, but if you turn it down and stick with it, you'll get some valuable insights from the filmmakers. They tell us, for instance, that "Chinatown" is one of the few films written specifically for the actors involved. That's about it for extras, though. A rather meager sixteen chapter stops, English and French spoken languages, English subtitles, and a trailer round out the offerings.
Parting Thoughts:
"Chinatown" is suspenseful, intriguing, well acted, and fast paced. Its perfectly attuned period atmosphere keeps it as fresh today as when it first appeared. And it fits the detective genre thoroughly, while giving it a very special twist of its own. Not even the ending can be taken for granted. As Gittes' friend says in the closing shot, "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."
Video:
Paramount's usual high standard of excellence is in evidence everywhere in this DVD transfer. Colors are vibrant, skin tones are natural, definition is sharp, and digital deficiencies are nowhere to be found. The film's theatrical Panavision size is largely preserved in a 2.21:1 screen ratio.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is also quite good. Apparently remixed from the original source, there is now good right and left rear-channel information adding to the soundtrack's ambiance. The front stereo spread can sometimes seem too narrow, but then it opens up again to a respectable width.
Extras:
The major bonus item is a thirteen-minute documentary featuring interviews with Polanski, Evans, and Towne. It is accountably louder in volume than the feature film, but if you turn it down and stick with it, you'll get some valuable insights from the filmmakers. They tell us, for instance, that "Chinatown" is one of the few films written specifically for the actors involved. That's about it for extras, though. A rather meager sixteen chapter stops, English and French spoken languages, English subtitles, and a trailer round out the offerings.
Parting Thoughts:
"Chinatown" is suspenseful, intriguing, well acted, and fast paced. Its perfectly attuned period atmosphere keeps it as fresh today as when it first appeared. And it fits the detective genre thoroughly, while giving it a very special twist of its own. Not even the ending can be taken for granted. As Gittes' friend says in the closing shot, "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]3297[/release]