Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: October 10, 2017
Region: Region Free
Length: 01:36:24
Video: 1080P (MPEG-4, AVC)
Main Audio: 5.1 English DTS-HD Master Audio (48 kHz, 3441 kbps, 24-bit)
Alternate Audio:
2.0 English Dolby Digital Audio
2.0 French Dolby Digital Audio
2.0 Spanish Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish
Ratio: 1.33:1
Bitrate: 22.71 Mbps
Just the other day, this reviewer was with a group of friends when a promo for one of those banal made-for-television Christmas movies ran across a television screen that happened to be in the room. There was a collective groan. “It’s not even Halloween yet,” someone said. “As if Christmas in December wasn’t bad enough,” someone else interjected. Christmas is a stressful season that many people dread—primarily because it has become an obligation to spend money. The heart and soul of the holiday has been all but eradicated due to commercialism. It’s difficult to imagine what audiences must have been thinking when they settled into their theater seats and witnessed a Christmas story without having any notion as to what to expect in June of 1947.
Why on earth would a studio release a Christmas-themed entertainment in the summer? It boggles the imagination, but it isn’t at all surprising that the film was an enormous success. The Grinch himself might find his heart growing three sizes larger during such an incredibly charming entertainment. Ebenezer Scrooge could have been spared his haunting tour of Christmases past, present, and future if only such a film could have been screened for him all those years ago. Miracle on 34th Street is everything a Christmas movie should be. It prepares our hearts for the holiday and reminds us what it’s supposed to be about. It is for this reason that the film is still celebrated as one of the essential Holiday classics 70 years after its release. It is an open indictment of the very commercialism that has swallowed the holiday and what it really means to those who celebrate it.
The Presentation:
4 of 5 Stars
In some ways, a “70th Anniversary Edition” of Miracle on 34th Street that doesn’t include a new and better transfer of the film than what was previously available flies in the face of the film’s themes about the commercialization of the holiday season. However, we will admit that the packaging for this edition is more attractive than those included in previous Blu-ray editions of the film.
20th Century Fox houses their disc in a standard Blu-ray case with new film-related artwork that is attractive but not exceptional. Unfortunately, the case is of the eco-friendly variety that features large “recycle” holes that leave both the artwork and the disc vulnerable to damage. Luckily, the case itself is further protected by a sleeve featuring the same design.
The disc’s animated menus feature footage from the film and is above average aesthetically while remaining easy to navigate.
Picture Quality:
3.5 of 5 Stars
20th Century Fox’s transfer of the film’s original black and white version. Yes, this means that it is unmarred by the ghastly colorization that viewers see on television every year. This is the film as the filmmakers originally intended it to be seen. While, those who remember the film’s earlier DVD transfers will notice a substantial improvement in image quality—an improvement made even more evident due to the fact that it hasn’t gone through as much digital manipulation. Grain is consistent throughout the duration of the film. Whites aren’t quite white, but blacks are rather inky and deep. Unfortunately, there might be a bit of crush during some of the darker shots in the shadow areas of the frame. Clarity is sufficient but not terribly impressive and contrast fluctuates more than one might hope. However, there aren’t any noticeable compression anomalies to distract the viewer.
This is a decent transfer but it isn’t an upgrade over earlier Blu-ray editions of the film, and it is impossible not to see this new release as a missed opportunity. To be fair, this might be the best that Miracle can look without a substantial restoration, but isn’t such a restoration warranted?
Sound Quality:
4 of 5 Stars
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master is the obvious choice despite the fact that the separations are artificially rendered and not terribly dynamic. It manages to seem faithful to the original audio, and the lossless track gives music and other sound elements more room to breathe than tracks that have been heavily compressed. One doubts if the track could sound any better under the circumstances.
Special Features:
3.5 of 5 Stars
Commentary by Maureen O’Hara
One wishes that this was a proper commentary track instead of excerpts from an interview placed throughout the duration of the film. O’Hara’s memories about the production and those who worked on it are interesting and engaging but there is too much dead space. Why on earth didn’t they simply include the interview as a stand-alone featurette with footage and stills from the production? Frankly, this reviewer would be more excited about this than a commentary track, and it wouldn’t waste nearly as much of the viewer’s time. None of the information is comprehensive enough to include as a commentary, but it is certainly nice to have it here in some form.
AMC Backstory: Miracle on 34th Street – (22:06) – (SD)
Those who remember AMC during the days when the channel actually played classic movies will remember their short Backstory programs. This one follows their usual format and provides a brief look at the making of the film. It isn’t incredibly comprehensive and is as much an appreciation of the film as it is a proper “behind the scenes” examination of the production. However, there are some interesting revelations provided by Maureen O’Hara (Doris Walker), Robert Hyatt (Thomas Mara Jr.), Alvin Greenman (Alfred), Lana Wood (Natalie Wood’s sister), Rudy Behlmer (Film Historian), and others throughout the duration. The result is a decent overview that doesn’t wear out its welcome. It’s great to have this included here.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Floating in History – (15:29) – (SD)
There is some minor overlapping of information in this short featurette, but this program focuses primarily on the location shooting at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In fact, it also includes a bit of background information about the parade which should be of interest to fans of the film.
Fox Movietone News: Hollywood Spotlight – (01:46) – (SD)
Also included is an archival newsreel featuring clips from the 20th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 20, 1948. Perhaps most relevant is Edmond Gwen’s acceptance speech for his award for Best Supporting Actor.
Promotional Short – (05:05) – (SD)
This is in all actuality an unusual trailer for the film that doesn’t include a single frame from the actual film. This is because the film’s June release made it necessary to hide the fact that it is in actuality a Christmas movie. Various actors and directors appear to rave about the film in seemingly contradictory ways throughout the short length of the trailer. It is a very interesting approach but one wonders how in the world it actually brought viewers into theaters. In any case, it adds quite a bit of value to the disc.
Poster Gallery – (00:39) – (1080P)
This slideshow contains various posters and advertisements for the film. Interestingly, it is clear that the marketing department took great pains to camouflage the fact that Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas-themed movie.
Final Words
Forget the soulless 1994 remake and make room for this original 1947 classic in your holiday schedules. It will put your hearts and minds in the proper spirit for the season. The image and sound transfers are merely average, but the film itself is as charming today as it was 70 years ago.
Blu-ray Downlow 