WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Alfie
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 22 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Michael Caine, Shelly Winters, Millicent Martin, Julia Foster, Jane Asher, Shirley Anne Field, Vivien Merchant, Eleanor Bron & Denholm Elliott

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 2
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Video
(Catalog Number): LV6604-WS
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 113
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1966
(LD Release Date): 10/9/96
(THX® Digitally Mastered):

Credits Information
(Director): Lewis Gilbert
(Screenplay/Written By): Bill Naughton
(Story): NA
(Music): Sonny Rollins
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Peter Mullins
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Thelma Connell
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Lewis Gilbert

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.30:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Alfie is the sexy and sinful comedy based on Bill Naughton’s play and stars Michael Caine in the irresistible title role. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards® in 1966, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Caine) and Best Supporting Actress (Vivien Merchant). Alfie is a suave womanizer who just can’t resist “birds” (the beloved English expression for women). Whether the women are married, single, young, old or even slightly flawed, Alfie doesn’t care. But his carefree lifestyle soon changes as he gets involved with Gilda, a woman desperate for his love and the mother of his child. No sooner does Alfie learn to love little Malcolm does Gilda leave, taking Malcolm with her. Alfie continues on with his string of lovers, but a little bit of revenge and a near-crisis turns him around. Alfie is a charming and delightful classic with contrasts of drama and tragedy that is sure to touch your heart.

LaserDisc Picture:
The Techniscope® frame has been recomposed at 2.30:1 but overall picture quality is good. The vivid colors and fleshtones are naturally rendered and blacks are deep. The picture is sharp and detailed, but shadow detail is poor with slight noise and artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished and compressed monaural.
(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: