Barbarella – 4K UHD Blu-ray Review
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Arrow | 1968
Not Rated | 1hr 38mins | Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Staring: Jane Fonda, David Hemmings, John Phillip Law, Anita Pallenberg, Milo O’Shea, Marcel Marceau
Directed by: Roger Vadim
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Very good for its age and genre, and the Dolby 7.1 soundtrack? Sufficiently entertaining.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 4+/5-
Audio: 4+
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
Barbarella was originally captured on 35 mm film by cinematographer Claude Renoir using Panavision cameras with anamorphic lenses, finished photochemically and presented in Technicolor in the aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Arrow Video debuts the film on Ultra HD with a new 4K 16-bit restoration of the original full uncut negative version of the originally released 1968 movie, not the edited 1977 re-release. Due to negative damage, some sections had to be replaced using the original 35mm interpositive. The movie maintains its 2.35:1 aspect ratio and has been graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. According to the enclosed booklet:
- Barbarella is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with restored original mono English and French audio and new English 5.1 and Atmos presentations. The isolated music score is also included.
- The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K 16 bit at Fotokem, Burbank. Sections of an original 35mm interpositive were also scanned in 4K 16 bit to replace sections in poor condition on the original negative. The film was restored and graded in 4K SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision by Silver Salt Restoration, London.
- The restoring of the original mono English and French audio tracks was completed at Bad Princess Productions, London.
- The Atmos and 5.1 mixes were created using the original mono DM tracks at Deluxe Audio London.
This image launches itself onto your screen as a solid HDR10 presentation. This native 4K scan has excellent overall image clarity with a solid display of crisp, sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide very good detail. From the finer aspects of the spaceships, sets, costume stitching, fabric and Pygar’s wings, to facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands, sweat and features, all are well presented with few undue exaggerations. For its time and genre, the special effects and composites integration blend acceptably with the real action shots, however, they occasionally show a drop in quality, particularly in the mist strewn alien environments and a few composites when Pygar flies. Effects like fiery explosions, flying spaceships, weapons shots, swooping angels, debris, smoke and explosions all present a few integration challenges into the live action shots but offer few distractions.
Contrast balance was very good throughout. From the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and specular highlights to the deep inky blacks of space, the labyrinth and various room interiors and costumes that showed good low level and shadow detail. Peak whites and specular highlights from the radiant glimmer and sheen along the metallic surfaces of the spaceship, to the many light sources, various metallic objects, weapons, ice surfaces and explosions all providing a pleasing level of sparkle, helping to create a good dynamic contrast range and depth of image.
This is a colorful movie that supports well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density. The color palette is warm and natural, with a wide array of well-saturated and accurate hues and plenty of warm earthy tones throughout. Golden yellows, a wide variety of full-bodied browns and various earthy tones, fiery orange and red explosions and weapons fire, red and crimson blood splatter, the purples, reds and greens of the orgasmatron to the reds of Barbarella’s boots and thong and the pinky spaceship. Colors abound at every turn with a wide array of hues found in the costumes, sets and visual effects. Human skin tones and facial complexions looking quite natural throughout.
For its age this video is still very good on all fronts, almost managing to create an HDR10 reference image on occasions.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Barbarella features a new primary Dolby Atmos soundtrack that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. Other audio options include; English and French DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. The 7.1 soundtrack is not very “showy”, being a processed version of the original English mono soundtrack. It displays moderate surround support with minimal channel separation and a sufficient bottom end. The rear channels being used extensively to fill out the sound field and to convey the atmospheres of various rooms, caves and outdoor environments, supporting few, if any, directional cues.
The overall sound presentation is moderately dynamic, with sufficient sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is clustered around the main central image and surrounds are mainly active with ambience, delivering an active environment that drops the listener into both the quieter and active environments alike. From Barbarella’s crash on Lythion, to the attack on the Labyrinth and final battle sequence, effects placement feel quite natural, having minor support from both the rear and side surrounds. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences with surround activity inside the spaceship and Labyrinth to the various City of Night rooms and locations, all are expanded to lightly fill the surrounds helping to keep you engaged in the mix.
Sub action is exceptable during the action sequences supporting; crashing spaceships, weapons fire, various explosions and the electronic music. Imaging is generally front and center not following the action as it moves on and off the screen. Dialogue is always clear and well detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail even during the more active scenes.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films mainly electronic score, composed by Bob Crewe and Charles Fox offers a good supportive mix. Levels hit a good balance between the dialogue and effects providing a very light spill into the surrounds and good overall soundstage integration.
The audio track may not be reference but it provides a good accompaniment for the enjoyable video.
Story Overview
Its the 41st century and astronaut Barbarella (Jane Fonda) has been assigned by the President of Earth (Claude Dauphin) to rescue renowned scientist Durand Durand (Milo O’Shea), who has invented the Positronic Ray, a powerful weapon that Earth leaders fear will fall into the wrong hands, and who has now vanished into the Tau Ceti planetary system. After crash landing on the frozen planet Lythion, Barbarella is attacked by dangerous dolls with razor sharp teeth but is rescued by the catchman Mark Hand (Ugo Tognazzi). Rewarding him with sex, Mark tells Barbarella that the man she seeks, Duran Duran, is to be found in the City of Night, Sogo. A city of corruption and debauchery where a new sin is evented and performed every hour. Barbella sets out to find Duran Duran who is preparing to crown himself lord of Sogo. During her perilous trek across the wilds Barbarella teams up with a blind Angel Pygar (John Phillip) and encounters the Great Tyrant Black Queen (Anita Pallenberg), her minions and various sexual torture devices that all throw her mission into jeopardy. Is there still time to stop Durand Durand before he uses the ray?
My 2 cents
Even after all these years this is still a classic and entertaining Jane Fonda movie. To say that this is the definitive presentation of Barbarella on optical disc would be an understatement. It’s not perfect, but the picture is very good having an organic and vibrant look, with a mostly even-keeled layer of grain.
Highly recommended for all fans.
Purchase from Amazon here.
