When the transition is being made from silent films to `talkies’, everyone has trouble adapting. Don and Lina have been cast repeatedly as a romantic couple, but when their latest film is remade into a musical, only Don has the voice for the new singing part. After a lot of practice with a diction coach, Lina still sounds terrible, and Kathy, a bright young aspiring actress, is hired to record over her voice.
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Video Quality
Singin’ In The Rain makes its long-awaited 4K UHD Blu-Ray debut with a miraculous 2160p HDR transfer derived from a previously-completed 4K restoration used for the 2012 Blu-Ray, which is also included in this package. With the power of a true 4K presentation, the film looks better than it ever has by quite a wide margin, and it may even rank as one of the strongest 4K releases to date. The film features some miraculous colors within the costumes and settings that pop off the screen with a vibrant intensity. The HDR offers a depth and stability of color that is frankly mind boggling. You only need to take a look at the lush colors in the “Broadway Melody” sequences to see what a stunning sight this presentation is overall. The same could be said of the natural tones that present with an immense complexity in the various lush locations. The black levels are simply perfect with nothing in the way of crush present, and white levels are solid as a rock with no trace of blooming.
The level of detail and clarity is stunning with the appropriate amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves quite well without ever being clumpy or unsightly. The texture on display in the costumes and within the production design are a revelation. Even facial details like the makeup of the performers present with impressive clarity. This presentation is true to the original look of the film without the added resolution making any settings seem out of place. The film is almost entirely free of dirt and damage, which makes the feature feel like it could have been made yesterday. If it were not for the optical dissolves, which naturally have a dip in quality due to the process, it would be difficult to tell the difference. There does not appear to be any jarring digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding or any other such nuisances. This presentation is an award-worthy effort from the team at Warner Bros.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track in English that offers a very strong audio experience. The theatrical mono has long been sought after by home entertainment enthusiasts, so its inclusion is a win for Warner Bros. despite some source imperfections. The dialogue and singing holds up quite nicely, coming though clearly without being stepped on by the music or other effects. One of the most important aspects of the feature is the array of memorable songs which sound vibrant and lovely here. Fidelity almost never waivers even at the height of the track. The environmental effects are delineated nicely including the din of certain rooms and the titular rain sounds. This track does not present with any glaring instances of age related wear and tear. This is a track that represents the film in a way that is practically perfect.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, Stanley Donen, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Baz Lurhmann and Rudy Behlmer are stitched together to provide a well-rounded assessment of the picture. Reynolds guides you through as you learn about the development of the idea for the film, the film’s legacy, personal anecdotes, the iconic songs and dance numbers, the groundbreaking nature of the feature and more. This is a must-listen for classic film fans.
- Singin’ In The Rain – Raining On A New Generation: A terrific 51-minute retrospective documentary including insights from modern singers, dancers, musicians, directors and choreographers including Paula Abdul, Corbin Bleu, Usher, Rob Marshall, Adam Shankman, an array of Glee alums and more. There are stories about the personal relationships these subjects have with the film, the boundary-pushing nature of the dance numbers, the use of props, the talent of the ensemble, the precise direction of Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, and much more that gives valuable insight into the film.
- Jukebox: A place to arrange tracks and clips from the film and play them in whatever configuration you choose.
- Theatrical Trailer: The four-minute theatrical trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
Singin’ In The Rain is simply one of the greatest musicals to ever grace the silver screen. For the sheer spectacle alone, Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen deliver a tremendous bang for your buck with number after number that will leave your jaw on the floor. The deeply talented ensemble impress without fail as their chemistry bleeds over into their musical performances, selling the emotion that much more. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray sporting a tremendous A/V presentation and a decent array of legacy special features. If you are a fan of the film, you should consider this release a must-own simply to experience it the best it has ever been shown outside of a theater. Highly Recommended
Singin’ In The Rain is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment 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.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.