From cinema giant Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon) and the classic novella by Henry James (The Turn of the Screw), Daisy Miller stars the sensational Cybill Shepherd (Taxi Driver) as the free-spirited young American living abroad in Europe with her daffy mother and bratty kid brother. A woman who does as she pleases yet who seldom pleases anybody but herself, Daisy is very liberated and very much ahead of her time as her behavior scandalizes the Victorian high society of 1878. With sumptuous cinematography, Oscar-nominated costumes and a streak of delightfully acerbic humor, Bogdanovich’s adaptation is “one of the few great films based on a great book” (Richard Brody). Co-starring Bogdanovich favorites Barry Brown (The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid), Mildred Natwick (Barefoot in the Park), Eileen Brennan (The Sting) and Cloris Leachman (Young Frankenstein).

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Video Quality

Daisy Miller debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 courtesy of Kino Classics sourced from a new 4K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative that looks swell throughout the majority of the runtime. The restoration has cleaned up the film significantly with very few instances of significant damage or dirt detected here, although some scratches have made it through in the title sequence, especially. There is an enviable amount of natural film grain that resolves well without clumping, swarming, or transitioning into noise. You are treated to so much texture that shines through in this transfer. The sumptuous European locales showcase the landscapes and buildings quite admirably.

The film features some deep authentic colors within the period costumes and flourishes of the production design that leap off the screen with unexpected vibrancy. Skin tones look natural and consistent, and the presentation offers solid black levels that rarely succumb to crush. Highlights are in fine shape as they avoid clipping. Fine detail is expressly apparent throughout which adds textures to the background. Subtle details in the environments are more prominent than ever before, often revealing new aspects you previously would have missed. Kino Classics has given this a nice second life.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray comes with a perfectly good DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that genuinely captures the soundscape of this one. Dialogue and background noises are balanced with all competing elements. The hurried exchanges and other important information remain crisp and clear even during more wordy diatribes. All of the sound effects and music appear to be in line with the intent of the creative team. The score flows with a nice fidelity that does not experience major fluctuations. This track shows no egregious age-related wear and tear such as hissing, drop-outs, or popping. Kino Classics has done a commendable job with the audio. Optional English SDH subtitles are included for the feature film.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: There is an archival commentary track with the director which is accompanied by a new track with a film historian. These two tracks allow for both a personal and analytical take on the material which explores how this fits into the career of Bogdanovich, the development of this project, the shooting locations, how this compares to the source material, the background of the performers, the themes of the feature, and more.

- Audio Commentary #1: Director Peter Bogdanovich

- Audio Commentary #2: Film Historian and Critic Peter Tonguette

Remembering Daisy Miller – Interview with Star Cybill Shepherd: A new ten-minute interview with the star is provided in which she discusses the themes of the film, her first meeting with Peter Bogdanovich, memories of Orson Welles, her feelings about her co-stars, learning to play the piano for the film, and more.

Introduction by Peter Bogdanovich: A 13-minute archival piece with the filmmaker is provided in which he discusses the origins of the project, assembling a familiar set of cast members, the shooting locations, and much more. A lot of this is covered in the commentary, but some unique thoughts are worth hearing.

Trailer: There is a three-and-a-half–minute trailer provided for Daisy Miller. There are trailers provided for The Mary Queen of Scots, Diary of a Mad Housewife, The Other Side of the Mountain, The Railway Children, and Where the Lilies Bloom.

Final Thoughts

Daisy Miller is far from the best film from Peter Bogdanovich, but it is an intriguing attempt from such a talented filmmaker. The film is composed with great care and individual moments keep you glued to the screen. Yet, you cannot help but be underwhelmed by the journey that does not give the titular character enough to do outside of this cyclical behavior. Cybill Shepherd delivers her rapid-fire lines like a champ, and she elevates the material she is given. The film does not waste your time with a lengthy runtime, but you need more to get you invested in this character’s journey of rebellion. Kino Classics has provided a new Blu-Ray featuring a top-notch A/V presentation and a few great special features. If you are a Bogdanovich fan, this is worth adding to your collection. Recommended

Daisy Miller is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.