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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Valentino
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 31 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Rudolf Nureyev, Leslie Caron, Michelle Phillips, Carol Kane

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 4
    Sound Rating: 3
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): ML104542
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 127
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1977
    (LD Release Date): 12/98
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Ken Russell
    (Screenplay/Written By): Ken Russell & Mardik Martin
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Ferde Grofe & Stanley Black
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Philip Harrison
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Stuart Baird
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): NA
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Irwin Winkler & Robert Chartoff

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.82:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    He was one of the legends of the silent film era, and Ken Russell’s Valentino takes us back to the early 1920s for a taste of his world. Rudolf Nureyev portrays the colorful and troubled Valentino whose actual life events are embellished with fictional accounts and told to us by way of flashbacks. A cautionary tale on the pitfalls of becoming a sex symbol and achieving superstardom. Includes the theatrical trailer and a some disturbing scenes.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, matted at 1.82:1, sometimes looks absolutely beautiful with accurately rendered fleshtones, rich, warm colors and deep, solid blacks. Other times, colors are wanting in clarity. Images are sharp and detailed with nicely rendered shadow delineation and contrast. Minor noise is occasionally apparent, but artifacts are minor, though sometimes distracting. Overall, the picture is rich, with lavish costumes and pleasing imagery, especially for a film over 20 years old and a transfer sourced from a film print.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Surround matrix soundtrack sounds thin and bright. Dialogue is, at times, unnaturally strident and harsh, though integration is often excellent. Surround envelopment is at times spatially aggressive. The music is wonderfully spatial with an expansive soundstage presence.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition:
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: