The Old Man and The Sea (1958) Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

Ernest Hemingway was an amazing novelist. He wrote some of the best novels in history including, For whom the bell tolls, A Farewell to Arms, To Have and Have Not, The Son Also Rises and his Pulitzer Prize winning work, The Old Man and the Sea. Sadly Ernest Hemingway took his own life in 1961. But he did get to see his Pulitzer winning work get a feature film treatment starring the great Spencer Tracy.

In 1958 John Sturges directed Spencer Tracy in The Old Man and The Sea. This role would garner Tracy his 6th of 9 Academy Award Best Actor nominations. Now Warner Archive Collection are releasing this Hemingway classic film adaption on Blu-ray.  

An old fisherman (Spencer Tracy) has not caught anything in 84 days, but on his 85th day of fishing, the old man catches a small fish and decides to keep fishing. Alone in a small skiff, an aging Cuban fisherman catches a huge marlin - and must defy the sea, marauding sharks, and his own flagging strength to bring his great catch home.

Most of the films words are narration by Spenser Tracy! Spencer spends the majority of the film on a boat alone. It takes a great actor to carry a film alone. And Spencer is a great actor and does a great job. You really sympathize with him and are rooting for him to get that fish home. This film really is a cinematic tale of the human spirit.

The film has been transferred in 1080p and is presented in it's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The Audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

This new 4k restoration from the original camera negative, is truly remarkable. I must say that Warner Archive has done a tremendous job, it looks and sounds stunning. The colors are bright and vibrant, the picture is crisp and the audio is clean. There is no signs of damage to this print that I could see. It is simply gorgeous. But a gorgeous print is not all that is included here. Warner Archive added some cool bonus features. Take a look at what is included.

* BEHIND THE SCENES DOCUMENTARY "Hemingway: The Legend and the Sea"

* Original Theatrical Trailer

I have always been a fan of Spencer Tracy and this is truly Tracy in his most sympatric performances. I love this new Blu-ray and it is getting a place of recognition alongside some of my other favorite Tracy films. 

If you love Spencer Tracy films as much as I do, The Old Man and The Sea is one film you need to see. And if you are looking for the perfect way to see it the Warner Archive Blu-ray is the perfect way to so that! Head over to Amazon or MovieZyng and order your copy today.

 

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Warner Archive's Blu-ray of The Old Man and The Sea receives....