Barbarella (1968) 4K UltraHD Blu-ray Review

Jane Fonda is the daughter of acting legend Henry Fonda. He starred in many iconic movies throughout his career, but Jane had a good career as well! Such films she acted in included, Julia (1977), Fun with Dick and Jane (1977), The China Syndrome (1979), The Electric Horseman (1979), 9 to 5 (1980), On Golden Pond (1981). But 1965 she starred in my favorite Jane Fonda film Cat Ballou.

In 1968 Jane starred in a sci-fi adventure entitled Barbarella. This film over the years has gained a cult following. Now for the 55th year anniversary the good folks at Arrow Video are giving this film a 4K UltraHD Blu-ray release.

It is the year 40,000AD. When evil scientist Durand Durand (Milo O’Shea) creates a deadly weapon with the potential to cause mass devastation, the President of Earth dispatches Barbarella (Fonda) to hunt him down. Crash-landing in an icy wilderness somewhere within the Tau Ceti planetary system, Barbarella is rescued by Mark Hand (Ugo Tognazzi, La Cage Aux Folles) and guided by the blind angel Pygar (John Phillip Law, Danger: Diabolik) to Durand's lair in Sogo, a city of corruption and debauchery, where an encounter with the Great Tyrant Black Queen (Anita Pallenberg, Performance) and her minions throws her mission into jeopardy.

Barbarella was based on the French comic series of the same name by Jean-Claude Forest. Now the film is a fun romp, but admittedly the script has a lot going on. And it suffers a bit because of it. It is also really good to note that the film is Rated PG, but this was before the rating systems we have today. This film would easily be PG-13 or R. The reason there is some mild violence, a scene of drug related use and a fair amount of nudity. So viewers beware before going into this film.

Barbarella has received a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative by Arrow Films. It has been transferred to 4K in 2160p Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible). The audio is an original lossless English mono audio, plus remixed Dolby Atmos surround and lossless French mono (featuring the voice of Jane Fonda). Finally, there is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

This new 4K restoration is amazing. The picture is crisp and clean. The colors are something out of a Crayola crayon box. The audio is clear as a bell with no pops or hiss. It really is an amazing restoration. But Arrow Video made a physical media release that goes beyond just an amazing restoration. Take a look at the bonuses included. 

DISC ONE - FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

* 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)

* Original lossless English mono audio, plus remixed Dolby Atmos surround and lossless French mono (featuring the voice of Jane Fonda)

* Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

* Audio commentary by film critic Tim Lucas

* Alternative opening and closing credits (in 4K with Dolby Vision)

* Isolated score

DISC TWO - EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)

* Another Girl, Another Planet, an appreciation of Barbarella by film critic Glenn Kenny

* Paul Joyce’s behind the scenes featurette, Barbarella Forever!

* Love, a two-hour in-depth discussion between film and cultural historians Tim Lucas & Steve Bissette on the impact and legacy of Barbarella

* Dress to Kill, a 30-minute interview with film fashion scholar Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén on Jacques Fonteray’s world-changing costume designs

* Framing for Claude, an interview with camera operator Roberto Girometti

* Tognazzi on Tognazzi, actor/director Ricky Tognazzi discusses the life and work of his father and Barbarella star Ugo Tognazzi

* An Angel’s Body Double, actor Fabio Testi discusses his early career as a stuntman and body double for John Phillip Law on Barbarella

* Dino and Barbarella, a video essay by Eugenio Ercolani on producer Dino De Laurentiis

* Trailer

* US TV and radio spots

* Image gallery

Now in addition to the above listed on disc bonus features, Arrow Video made a packaging that is epic to say the least. These are some of the amazing physical bonuses on this major 4K UltraHD Blu-ray set.

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tula Lotay

* Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tula Lotay

* Six double-sided collector’s postcards

* Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anne Billson, Paul Gravett, Véronique Bergen and Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, and select archival material

Now while Barbarella is not a great film, it is a cinematic experience. The visuals are amazing and even with the story's shortcomings, it is an entertaining film. And when you think about it that's really all you can expect from a film. And with all the above seen bonus features. This Arrow Video's 4K UltraHD is a cult film fans dream come true.

If you love 60s cinema or cult films the new 4K UltraHD release of Barbarella is a release you will want to add to your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today!

 
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) the 4K release of Barbarella recieves.....

Cast: Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law, Anita Pallenberg, Milo O'Shea, Marcel Marceau, David Hemmings, Claude Dauphin, Ugo Tognazzi  Director: Roger Vadim  Screenwriter: Terry Southern, Roger Vadim  4K UltraHD Distributor: Arrow Video  Running Time: 98 min  Rating: PG  Year: 1968  Release Date: November 28, 2023  Buy: Video