Singin' In The Rain: 60th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2012)

First off, I need to point out that Amazon does have this odd policy of grouping ALL reviews of ALL versions and editions of a film in one place. So when a film is restored or reissued the reviews are grouped with the others. There are over400 reviews for "Singing in the Rain" here and they stretch back as far as 1998 and as recent as July 2012. Reviews are automatically sorted by the "Most Helpful" first and while I hope you will find my review helpful I do encourage you to look at the date of any review you read and compare it with the "release date" of the edition you are looking to purchase. With that said, I'll move on to my review.

I'll go along nearly everyone who treasures "Singin in the Rain" in saying it is probably one of the most important films ever made and the top musical. It's also the most entertaining 103 minutes you'll se on the screen. Sure there is smart dialogue, but the film boasts a compendium of wonderful "hit songs" that were all succeses even before the were incorporated in the story by Comden & Green. Go ahead and read the other reviews, if you are not familier with the plot or background of the film. That hasn't changed in the 20+ years of reviews.

I last reviewed this film on DVD 10 years ago when Warner Home Video released the 50th anniversary package in 2002. That was before Blu-ray. Because the multi-disc versions of the new 60th Anniversary Edition contain all the "special features" of the 50th Anniversary one, I chose the single-disc Bluray to see the new HD transfer and the new 53-minute documentary. The single-disc BD contains only the HD transfer, the doc, a "juke-box" function and the Theatrical Trailer (along with the commentary track from the 50th).

The PRINT is glorious even on my non HD TV. And the film was not in Wide Screen so the dimensions of your screen don't matter. The documentary really didn't add much, but was fun to watch. Its purpose was to reach the younger generation who are fans of "Glee" and "High School Musical". Both choreographers and actors from those shows are interviewed and tell about the first time they saw the film. A few "oldsters" like Rob Marshall and Baz Luhrman add comments and there are some from film historian Rudy Behlmer (who appeared on the Warner musical reissues before the start of the press-on-demand Warner Archive series). Of course there are lots of clips from the film (some repeated again and again) as well as clips from other Kelly films as well as Fred Astaire films comparing the two. A brief mention of importance of Arthur Freed is made but no discussion of the new digital transfer. It's an OK doc but, not sure it breaks any new ground.

Still, if you love this film (and I can watch it over and over) and have an HD TV, you'll probably want to pick this up. If you have the prior edition and an HD TV you'll want the single disc BD. If you don't own the prior one, you'll want the 2-disc version for all the extra bonus that were added 10 years ago.

But this is a DVD (in one form or another) that EVERYONE should own.

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"

Most people who are reading this review know how awesome "Singin' in the Rain" is, so I won't review the film, but rather I'll limit the review to the 60th Anniversary Blue-ray disc. I watched this on a 70" Sharp Aquos HDTV. What an experience! In a darkened room, with a giant bucket of coronary-inducing self-popped (not microwave) buttered popcorn (with real butter, thank you) and an enhanced sound system, I was transferred to a time that I hadn't experienced since I was a little kid. The blue-ray transfer is breathtaking with the brillant color, clarity, and sound. It was like watching a brand new film. This is how audiences originally saw the film 60 years ago. The commentary track was very informative, though it was recorded a few years ago, since some of the contributers are now deceased. The added features are excellent. I like the 'jukebox' feature, which allows you to watch just the musical numbers of your choice. If you only have a little time, but you need a quick uplifting shot of "Good Mornin'" or "Moses Suposes" you can do that. Also the added feature of interviews with some of today's dancers, choreographers, and musical film directors is fun. It's good to see the respect and admiration that they have for Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, et al. I suggest whatever home theater equipment you have, set yourself up as close to a theater setting as possible and get swept away. Experience how magical a movie experience can be.

Buy Singin' In The Rain: 60th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2012) Now

If they would ever give out awards for Blu-ray.....This would be the one to take it.

I have a couple hundred Blu-ray discs and I, personally, think this is the best disc that was ever pressed. I've seen Singing In The Rain in the theater, on VHS, on Bata Max, CED videodisc, Laser Disc and DVD. But, WOW, I have never seen this movie look and sound so good. You've got to see it! WOW!

Read Best Reviews of Singin' In The Rain: 60th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2012) Here

This is a revisit to a movie I haven't seen in years. Have I changed my view? Nope. In fact, watching the film on the new Blu ray disc more than confirms that the film still holds up after 60 years. The video transfer maintains the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. While the images aren't quite as natural as you might like, there are very few distractions. The colors are spectacular and the dancing is the greatest ever put on film.

Gene Kelly seen here in his prime and in a tuxedo, could have been a great James Bond. Cool, good looking with beautiful women all around. Dancing never had a better stud. Donald O'Connor is a second banana here, but check him out in his solo routine, "Make `Em Laugh". He teams up with Kelly in a couple complicated numbers and you will never see better choreography.

The story centers around the time when silent films made the transition to "talkies" (1927) and Kelly's leading lady couldn't make the jump due to her high pitched Brooklyneze voice. Her voice and singing are later dubbed in by a newcomer named Kathy (Debbie Reynolds). She's also Don's (Kelly) new fling. This is all fun, inside stuff but the real action is on the dance floor.

The film of course, features Kelly's take on the title song, which I've seen dozens of times. It is still spectacular. I had forgotten about the 13 minute dance sequence in the last act featuring Kelly and long-legged Cyd Charisse. She dances throughout this number with a 30 foot long scarf flowing behind her. It wraps gracefully around Kelly several times. It is beautiful to watch, as is the whole movie.

While the film in this Blu ray version is visually an upgrade from DVD, the audio is the real star. The newest option is a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. It's a big deal. The songs in particular have been given a wonderful mix. The LFE channel is restrained keeping focus suggested by the original mono score. Special features include a new documentary, commentary by several of the stars and others and a "jump-to-song" feature. This is a pretty bare bones package (one disc) for what is a milestone film.

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I may be the first one to review the Blu-ray release of Singin' in the Rain, and I will be brief: SPECTACULAR!!!. The restoration of the picture (4K) and the DTS multi-channel English track will knock your socks off!

This 60 year old classic looks like it was just filmed, except in glorious TECHNICOLOR. For those of us who were lucky to see revivals of this film in theatres with prints from the IB Technicolor masters, it is such a joy to see this quality in our own home theaters looking so beautiful. For the newer film fans who have only seen this movie on a TV screen, you don't know what you are missing. This is a classic you MUST see on the largest screen you can possibly view it on. There aren't many extras , and the trailer is standard definition, but the most important thing for me is the absolutely stunning quality of the main feature. I recommend this release on Blu-ray. It is the closest to classic movie heaven you will get!!.

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