Why So Blu?

Oliver! (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

On October 12, Sony released the Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2. The set is a follow up to their now out of print and very well received first volume that found many legendary and important films of all types and genres from different eras featuring notable filmmakers and big star turns in the history of Columbia Pictures together on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray for the very first time. These sets receive immaculate care in terms of restoration and come in fantastic packaging complete with a hardcover mini coffee table book with added essay and high quality photos (You can find my detailed look at the packaging by clicking HERE). The second volume picks up on the greatness that set left off on and includes the films Anatomy of a Murder, Oliver!, Taxi Driver, Stripes, Sense and Sensibility and The Social Network. You can order yourself a copy of the Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2 (while it lasts) using the paid Amazon Associates link following the review. This review of the set will cover the 1968 Best Picture winner, Oliver!

Film

Winner of six 1968 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, it’s OLIVER!, the beloved musical version of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. A magnificent screen adaptation of Lionel Bart’s sensational stage musical, OLIVER!, directed by Carol Reed, is the timeless story of a plucky young orphan and his quest for love and happiness in a world populated by rascals, rogues, and thieves. A wondrous blend of drama, comedy, adventure and song, OLIVER! is grand and glorious entertainment the whole family will enjoy.

Despite itself being an well reviewed film, very popular in its time and a big time Academy Award winner, I’m not sure Oliver! was one of the films included in this set that people were super excited about upon its announcement. Perhaps its because so much time has passed or the film has been lauded for so long and isn’t a “film bro” friendly title that its not kosher to even check out. When people do check it out, they’ll realize that this is indeed a pretty solid gem and worthy addition to these sets.

I know the film doesn’t need defending of its reputation or accolades, but at the time it came out, Oliver! really defied the odds. Big, epic musicals were still being made, but were largely falling out of favor at the box office as well as critically. Oliver! released amidst this, adapting a very popular stage show, and doing so with relative unknowns filling out the cast. Oliver Reed was only on the up and up when he did this film. The film wound up being very positively reviewed and some even saying it surpassed the stage version.

Carol Reed’s adaptation is one that you’re probably more familiar with than you think. I wasn’t sure I had seen it, but I rather knew A LOT about this story and movie once I popped it on for this review. This movie hit pop culture and managed to have a pretty impressive staying power. Beyond Oliver asking for more, characters like The Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes and Fagin are or were household names. You knew them, you know how they are and what they did. Songs like “I’d Do Anything” you might know but didn’t realize came from this musical.

There are many a great musical in Hollywood history, and some of those from the 1960s. Oliver! is indeed a standout and a terrific little rags to riches story for the ages and for all ages. There are memorable songs and dance captured here in grand and effective fashion. Oliver! surely is one overlooked when this set was announced, but hopefully the collectors and film lovers will be reminded of its charm and all that it does well when cracking open this set and working their way to watching it.

Video

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review are taken from the standard Blu-ray disc, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc.

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Layers: BD-100

Clarity/Detail: Oliver! makes its 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray debut boasting that its transfer has been restored from the original camera negative. While the film has a sort of “regular” or more natural look to it, this multidimensional looking image opens up and really has some nice boldness to such an image. It features some really fine texture, fullness and a little bit of a polished sheen to it. There’s a nice layer of grain intact and just an overall impressive looking set of frames. Its fun to just sit and stare around at all the sets on display in the movie with such nice detail and big framing like the film offers.

Depth:  The film features some really nice depth of field, with its elaborate “theater for film” sets and camera movements showing of the space of the actors and objects in a frame. Movements are filmic and natural with grace and no issues coming from any sort of rapid motion distortions.

Black Levels: Blacks are deep and natural. There are a lot of darkened interiors with great usage of shadows. Contrast really helps to bolster and strengthen a lot of the “normal”, more rustic colors in the frame. No crushing witnessed.

Color Reproduction: Colors in the film are a bit more on the natural side with browns, grays, golden yellows dominating much of the costuming and sets. However, greens, reds and others really do pop in a rich way with fabrics on dresses and fancier upholstery. The coats of the Artful Dodge, Fagin and the dress of Nancy really showcase nicely what colors can do and standout.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are natural and consistent from start to finish of the film. Facial features and textures are excellent, showcasing the make-up, sweat, wrinkles, blemishes, freckles, stubble, dimples and more with great clarity.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean.

Audio

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MA, Czech 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MA, German 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Italian 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Mandarin-PRC 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital, Portuguese 2.0 Stereo Dolby Digital, Spanish (Castilian) 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Spanish (Latin American) 2.0 Dolby Surround, Thai 2.0 Mono Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English, English SDH, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Spanish (Castilian), Spanish (Latin American), Swedish, Thai, Turkish

Dynamics: Oliver! comes to 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos track that adds even more life to the film. Big musical number feature some sweeping, concert-like sound that really fill the room and extend the energy on screen to your viewing enjoyment. Its a great, balanced mix that weaves in the vocals, singing, effects and instrumental music to great effect. Each one gets their time in the spotlight and never stumbles over another. This mix also features some very nice depth and layer to really make this 53 year old film.

Height: Ceiling speaker sounds come accurate to what’s on screen and mix in some good concert music/song as well as feasible ambiance in any given environment.

Low Frequency Extension: The subwoofer has a nice rumble as it goes through an orchestra’s low end horns and drums to produce the music. Factory sounds, crashing, slams, clip clops and more natural sounds get an accurate bump to various degrees of bump.

Surround Sound Presentation: The room proves nice an full, especially in the big song and dance numbers. Rear and side channels produce unique sounds as well as great environment building ambiance. Sound travel and rolling is good and feels a nice force as it swings around the room.

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are clear and crisp. The jump from dialogue to singing has a nice, soft and naturally transgression to the musical numbers.

Extras

Oliver! comes with the standard Blu-ray version and a redeemable digital code for the film. All bonus features are found on the standard Blu-ray disc. This edition of the film is currently only available as part of the Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2.

Audio Commentary

• With Film Historian Steven C. Smith

Jack Wild Screen Test (HD, 1:26) – New for this release, check out the screen test of the Artful Dodger!

Original Behind-The-Scenes Featurette (SD, 7:35)

Meet Oliver! (HD, 14:43)

Meet Fagin! (HD, 13:21)

The Locations of Oliver! (HD, 4:37)

Sing-Alongs (HD, 36:09)

Dance-Alongs (HD, 12:53)

Dance and Sing-Alongs (HD, 10:13)

Trailers (HD, 7:32)

Summary

Oliver! makes its debut among the Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2 set as possible hidden under the excitement of some other, more film buff friendly films. But, make no mistake, its quite a joy to pop in and check out. Especially when the film has a rather extravagant new transfer as well as a boffo Atmos track to bring this grand musical to life. Extras include a nifty new little screen text and commentary to go with the prior featurettes. A worthy addition to the Columbia Classics Collection 4Ks and the first musical entry to sets.

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