This may be the only film biography in which the fledgling lead, Barbra Streisand, eclipses the star she’s portraying.
Whew. That´s quite a bundle of hits all coming from the same source, several of them written especially for the movie. It´s no wonder this show was and still is so popular.
Video:
As I said earlier, the DVD contains Columbia TriStar´s restored edition of the film, which comes up quite well in its new trimmings. The screen ratio is approximately 2.16:1, measured across a standard TV. The image quality is a little on the soft side but colors are radiant and natural, especially in the more opulent scenes. Definition is merely OK, but considering the thirty-odd-year source, it´s pretty good, even if it´s not so precise as some of today´s better releases. There is no grain to speak of, but there are occasional white age flecks and a few instances of shimmering lines in closely spaced blinds.
Audio:
The audio comes in a remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 track or Dolby Surround. Obviously, if you have the capability, the 5.1 is to be preferred. However, be aware that Columbia continues its practice of making the Dolby Surround the default, so if you can play back 5.1 you have to remember to select it on your own. I usually remember to do so about twenty minutes into a Columbia film and then get annoyed at them and me simultaneously. Anyway, the audio is good in both formats, but it´s crisper and cleaner sounding in 5.1, although a bit on the hard, bright side. Voices, falling in the midrange, are rendered realistically, but some of the musical numbers can appear somewhat forward. There is excellent stereo spread in the front channels, with good voice staging across the stereo field. However, you´ll find little action in the rear channels except a faint musical ambiance.
Extras:
Insofar as special features are concerned, this disc has only a few, which surprises me, considering the film´s importance. In any case, two featurettes, "This Is Streisand" and "Barbra in Movieland," are its major claims to fame. They are five and ten minutes each, respectively, and were made at about the time of the film´s production. Neither is in very good condition, frankly, and neither is a real behind-the-scenes affair; but, rather, they are promotional items to publicize the show. The disc also includes a song highlights menu, a few filmographies of the stars, a booklet insert of production notes, and twenty-eight scene selections. There are three bonus trailers included for other Streisand films, "The Mirror Has Two Faces," "For Pete´s Sake," and "The Prince of Tides," but none for "Funny Girl." English and French are offered as spoken language options, with English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai for subtitles.
Parting Thoughts:
Streisand went on to make a sequel, "Funny Lady," in 1975, covering Ms. Brice´s later years, but it lacked the original´s brilliance, tautness, and bevy of good songs. "Funny Girl" was not only popular in 1968, it was highly praised, too, nominated for eight Academy Awards and winning with Streisand for Best Actress. The other nominations were for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Score for a Musical Picture, Best Song ("Funny Girl"), and Best Sound. Given that movie musicals, like comedies, don´t often get nominated for much of anything, "Funny Girl" did all right.
Of course, if you don´t like musicals, all of this is of no consequence. I know movie musicals aren´t in vogue anymore, but this one is worth a shot. Who knows, besides finding its star and story beguiling, you might even be surprised at how entertaining some of the songs and dances are.
Video:
As I said earlier, the DVD contains Columbia TriStar´s restored edition of the film, which comes up quite well in its new trimmings. The screen ratio is approximately 2.16:1, measured across a standard TV. The image quality is a little on the soft side but colors are radiant and natural, especially in the more opulent scenes. Definition is merely OK, but considering the thirty-odd-year source, it´s pretty good, even if it´s not so precise as some of today´s better releases. There is no grain to speak of, but there are occasional white age flecks and a few instances of shimmering lines in closely spaced blinds.
Audio:
The audio comes in a remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 track or Dolby Surround. Obviously, if you have the capability, the 5.1 is to be preferred. However, be aware that Columbia continues its practice of making the Dolby Surround the default, so if you can play back 5.1 you have to remember to select it on your own. I usually remember to do so about twenty minutes into a Columbia film and then get annoyed at them and me simultaneously. Anyway, the audio is good in both formats, but it´s crisper and cleaner sounding in 5.1, although a bit on the hard, bright side. Voices, falling in the midrange, are rendered realistically, but some of the musical numbers can appear somewhat forward. There is excellent stereo spread in the front channels, with good voice staging across the stereo field. However, you´ll find little action in the rear channels except a faint musical ambiance.
Extras:
Insofar as special features are concerned, this disc has only a few, which surprises me, considering the film´s importance. In any case, two featurettes, "This Is Streisand" and "Barbra in Movieland," are its major claims to fame. They are five and ten minutes each, respectively, and were made at about the time of the film´s production. Neither is in very good condition, frankly, and neither is a real behind-the-scenes affair; but, rather, they are promotional items to publicize the show. The disc also includes a song highlights menu, a few filmographies of the stars, a booklet insert of production notes, and twenty-eight scene selections. There are three bonus trailers included for other Streisand films, "The Mirror Has Two Faces," "For Pete´s Sake," and "The Prince of Tides," but none for "Funny Girl." English and French are offered as spoken language options, with English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai for subtitles.
Parting Thoughts:
Streisand went on to make a sequel, "Funny Lady," in 1975, covering Ms. Brice´s later years, but it lacked the original´s brilliance, tautness, and bevy of good songs. "Funny Girl" was not only popular in 1968, it was highly praised, too, nominated for eight Academy Awards and winning with Streisand for Best Actress. The other nominations were for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Score for a Musical Picture, Best Song ("Funny Girl"), and Best Sound. Given that movie musicals, like comedies, don´t often get nominated for much of anything, "Funny Girl" did all right.
Of course, if you don´t like musicals, all of this is of no consequence. I know movie musicals aren´t in vogue anymore, but this one is worth a shot. Who knows, besides finding its star and story beguiling, you might even be surprised at how entertaining some of the songs and dances are.
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[release]8441[/release]