Released on DVD by MGM and distributed by
Waner Home Video in Australia, Midnight Cowboy apparently was notable for being the only
USA X-rated film, later being downgraded to USA-R (interesting that in todays age it only
gets a Aussie M15+ rating, goes to show how society has changed) to receive so many
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences accolades: seven nominations and three Oscars
- Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
[Ed. Embarrased so where the academy, that an X-Rated movie won so many Oscars,
the MPAA downgraded the Rating to the USA R rating WITHOUT CUTS!!....now that's real
censorship at work isn't it]
The film's content portrays the unlikely companionship and tragic drama of two homeless,
down-and-out drifters who are bonded together. Dustin Hoffman's characterization as the
unglamorous 'Ratso' Rizzo, was only his second film role and he earned a second Academy
Award nomination. Hoffman's then unknown co-star Jon Voight also received his first Best
Actor nomination for his role as a disillusioned Texas stud in New York City. The film starts off as we meet Joe Buck (Voight), a young, handsome
cowboy who is on his way to New York City to make it big. But Joe is arrogant fellow, he
fantasizes about women and convinces himself he's every woman's dream. Joe arrives in NYC
and checks into a hotel and then hits the streets and tries to pick up women.When Joe
meets a woman and seduces her, we finally learn his reason for coming to New York: to
become a "hustler" to rich women. Unfortunately, he doesn't know what he's doing
and his plan seems to fail. Soon after Joe meets Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo (Hoffman),
a small time con man, thief, and all around unsuccessful criminal. Ratso learns of Joe's
plan and tries to hook him up with a "pimp," but that plan falls through. Slow
to realize the difference between reality and his fantasies, Joe becomes impoverished and
a male prostitute. He moves into a condemned apartment already occupied by Ratso who has
dreams of his own: living as an
important man in Florida. I enjoyed the film overall and can understand why both Hoffman
and Voight got the Academy Aware nominations with two stunning performances.
So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
VIDEO
The 16:9 Enhanced transfer is very good overall, this is another old film now released to
DVD with it being made in 1969. Fleshtones were natural and the colours vibrant at times.
Detail was quite good but the transfer had a little gritty feel to it. I expect that this
was the Directors intent, to give the film a greater realism of being down and out in New
York. I did not notice any outstanding artifacts, shadow detail was ordinary at times,
especially during a few night times scenes. You have to remeber that the print is now 30
years old so on the hole there is nothing really to complain about in the video
department. The disc is RSDL with the layer change at 52.33.
AUDIO
Audio tracks contain an unusual English 4.0 track (remastered), the foreign languages are
are 2.0 channel. The English 4.0 is quite good, the surrounds are only used for slight
ambient effects as you would expect for a film of this era. Dialgoue was easy to
understand and clean. Again you would expect no or little bass from this film and there
isn't any. The front soundstage is also quite natural sounding, overall a good match for
the video.
EXTRAS
Extras are a little slim, however a nice glossy colour booklet is included, as well as a
theatrical trailer. The usual scene selections and subtitles are also present. Overall a
good film and a good DVD. It seems MGM have taken care transferring this to DVD as they
also have with the 1968 Thomas Crown Affair. Recommended for fans of this film.
| PICTURE QUALITY |
7/10 |
| SOUND QUALITY |
7/10 |
| FEATURES |
5/10 |
Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T43W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Toshiba 2109 Region Free
Receiver: Yamaha RXV995
Speakers:-
Fronts: Polk Audio RT55
Centre: Polk Audio CS350
Rears: Polk Audio AB705's
Subby: M&K V125
- Reviewed 4th January 2000 |
