New German Cinema pioneer Wim Wenders brings his keen eye for landscape to the American Southwest in Paris, Texas, a profoundly moving character study written by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Sam Shepard. Paris, Texas follows the mysterious, nearly mute drifter Travis (a magnificent Harry Dean Stanton, whose face is a landscape all its own) as he tries to reconnect with his young son, living with his brother (Dean Stockwell) in Los Angeles, and his missing wife (Nastassja Kinski). From this simple setup, Wenders and Shepard produce a powerful statement on codes of masculinity and the myth of the American family, as well as an exquisite visual exploration of a vast, crumbling world of canyons and neon.

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Video Quality

The Criterion Collection presents Paris, Texas with a stellar 2160p HDR/Dolby Vision transfer in 1.66:1 sourced from a 4K restoration of the 35mm Original Camera Negative that has been supervised and approved by director Wim Wenders. The film was previously released nearly 15 years ago on Blu-Ray with an older scan by Criterion, which we do have for the sake of comparison. While the older transfer was very pleasing at the time of release and still holds up very well, this new release is our new favorite presentation of the film.

This transfer retains the natural film grain which resolves consistently, allowing for a stunning amount of fine detail to show up. Distinct facets of the production design and clothing reveal more discrete nuances than the previous presentation. We did not spot any grain reduction as you get a fine, thick sheen that resolves evenly without breaking up into swarmy noise outside of a few blocky skylines. There are elements of this presentation that put the transfer to the test, but this encode largely holds its own. Any minor moments of print damage such as nicks or scratches have also been eradicated.

The new Dolby Vision transfer brings a fabulous vibrancy out of this earthy palette as you survey some hues that seem more complex than ever. The varied locales over the course of the narrative give a range of backgrounds to explore. While they are some natural lighting shots and deliberately deployed lighting setups deployed, this is not an especially vibrant spectacle. This presentation is more concerned with accuracy rather than a “pop” to the imagery There is some improvement in the handling of the contrast. The film handles the black levels exceptionally well as it almost never succumbs to crush or noise. Highlights are put to the test in some of the environments, but you never spot any blooming as whites radiate famously. The Criterion Collection has treated this one quite well for fans.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track remastered from the 35mm magnetic track which sounds terrific, although some fans may be disappointed by the lack of a mono track. Dialogue comes through effortlessly with ideal fidelity as it avoids being overshadowed by competing elements. Environmental sounds are conjured with a formidable presence alongside everything else. All key information is dutifully represented, and it maintains a faithful balance so that discerning the focus of any moment is a breeze. The low end allows for a small bit of texture, but it is far from a showcase given the narrative. There are no instances of age-related wear and tear as the track holds up well. The score is used effectively to establish the mood of the story, and this track allows it to sound truly great. The Criterion Collection has given this film a favorable audio experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

The Criterion 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Paris, Texas includes a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Nick Roddick; interviews with Stanton, writer Sam Shepard, and actors Nastassja Kinski and Dean Stockwell; and excerpts from Wenders’ book of photos Written in the West. All of these give rich insight into the film. The on-disc special features are as follows:

Audio Commentary: Director Wim Wenders provides an archival commentary track in which he guides you through the creation of the film including the music from Ry Cooder, the location shooting, working with Sam Shepard on the script, details about the performers, how they accomplished certain shots, thematic undercurrents, and more.

Interviews

- Wim Wenders: A 29-minute interview from 2001 in which the filmmaker discusses how this film stands apart in his career, putting an emphasis on story and characters, attempting to make the film without drawing on prior inspiration, and more.

- The Road To Paris, Texas: A 43-minute archival piece from 1989 featuring interviews with Wim Wenders, cinematographer Robby Muller, composer Ry Cooder, actors Harry Dean Stanton, Peter Falk, Dennis Hopper, and Hanns Zischler, director Samuel Fuller, author Patricia Highsmith, and film critic Kraft Wetzel. These anecdotes help give context to the career of Wim Wenders and how it informed his work on Paris, Texas.

- Claire Denis and Allison Anders: A 21-minute piece from 2009 with Claire Denis and Allison Anders, who would go on to become renowned directors in their own right, who served as first assistant director and production assistant, respectively, on Paris, Texas. It is incredible to hear how these experiences informed their careers moving forward.

- Cinema Cinemas: A 12-minute excerpt from a 1984 German program that shows Wim Wenders collaborating with composer Ry Cooder on the score for Paris, Texas.

Deleted Scenes and Super 8

- Deleted Scenes: A 24-minute collection of unused footage is provided featuring optional audio commentary from Wim Wenders.

- Super 8 Footage: A seven-minute extended look at the Super 8 footage projected in the film.

Galleries

- Written In The West: A selection of photos captured by Wim Wenders while location scouting for Paris, Texas.

- Robin Holland: A selection of photos captured by the unit photographer

Trailer (2:13)

Final Thoughts

Paris, Texas is one of the best films we have seen from Wim Wenders, and it is one that only gains resonance the more you engage with it. Harry Dean Stanton puts forth a masterful performance defined by its interiority and ability to convey so much without bubbling over with emotion. The rest of the ensemble meets him with the appropriate gravitas that allows the themes to land with a monumental impact. The film is both an aesthetic and emotional marvel. The Criterion Collection has delivered a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray that offers a fantastic A/V presentation and a great selection of archival special features. If you are a fan of the film, this is the best release yet. Recommended

The Criterion Collection edition of Paris, Texas is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-Ray and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection 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.