by Rock ‘n Roll Ghost
Chinatown, one of cinema’s crown jewels, will make its way to release on Blu-ray on April 3rd. From Paramount Home Video, the classic Roman Polanski film starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, Burt Young and John Huston, Chinatown was nominated for eleven Oscars and named by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the top 25 American films ever made.
Chinatown will feature a new high definition transfer and is packaged with the original theatrical poster as well as a collectible booklet. The Blu-ray release includes over 2 1/2 hours of bonus material including feature-length commentary by the film’s screenwriter Robert Towne and filmmaker David Fincher (The Social Network, Se7en, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), a three-part documentary on the history and impact of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the continuing efforts to cultivate water resources for the metropolis, prominent filmmakers expressing their appreciation of Chinatown, a look at the filming as well as the legacy of the film.
The CHINATOWN Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, English Restored Mono Dolby TrueHD, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and Portuguese Mono Dolby Digital, as well as English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.
Special features are presented in high definition as indicated:
o Commentary with Robert Towne and David Fincher— Towne and Fincher offer unique insights into this classic film. No matter how many times you’ve watched Chinatown, this commentary will open your eyes to a whole new experience.
o Water and Power (HD)— In this three-part documentary, Robert Towne visits sites along the original Los Angeles Aqueduct for the first time. He is informed of the social and environmental impacts and given insight into the major issues around the creation and ongoing operation of the aqueduct.
o The Aqueduct (HD)— The City of Los Angeles completed the 233-mile gravity-fed aqueduct from the Owens Valley in 1913, under the leadership of a self-taught engineer named William Mulholland. L.A. Department of Water and Power representatives along with Catherine Mulholland, granddaughter of the engineer, discuss the development of the aqueduct and its contribution to the growth of the nation’s second-largest city.
o The Aftermath (HD)— For decades a large rural community was desiccated under the management of water rights by the City of Los Angeles over a vast area of the Owens Valley. Legal victories beginning in the 1970’s lead to successful reductions in environmental damages and the restoration of some natural habitats. Historians, local ranchers and activists discuss the up-to-date impacts of the aqueduct and struggle to maintain a stable environment and community.
o The River & Beyond (HD)— Prior to the building of the first aqueduct a century ago Los Angeles relied solely on its own local water supply: the Los Angeles River and its aquifer. Today the river as a water resource is largely forgotten. Currently there are plans to re-develop the river to reduce L.A.’s dependence on imported water, reducing the environmental impact on distant communities, while creating parks and open spaces for the city.
o Chinatown: An Appreciation— Chinatown has been hailed as a perfect film.
Robert Towne’s cynical labyrinth of secrets and sin, Roman Polanski at the top of his form, Jack Nicholson in all his glory, Faye Dunaway at her sexiest and most mysterious, John Huston as one of the creepiest and most unrepentant villains of all time, the great cinematography, the wonderful score, the bandage on the nose…In this featurette, prominent filmmakers express their personal admiration for the film:
o Steven Soderbergh – Director – Traffic
o James Newton Howard – Composer – The Dark Knight
o Kimberly Peirce – Writer/Director – Boys Don’t Cry
o Roger Deakins – Cinematographer – No Country For Old Men
o Chinatown: The Beginning and the End
Chinatown: Filming
Chinatown: The Legacy
Theatrical Trailer (HD)
Pre-Order Chinatown on Blu-ray Now
