The 2021 extras finally answer three questions:
First, let’s address the technical upgrade. The 2021 Blu-ray presents the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio in 1080p high definition. While not a native 4K UHD disc, the 1080p presentation is sourced from a 4K scan, resulting in:
The 1080p extras on the 2021 The Long Goodbye Blu-ray transform this release from a simple movie purchase into an educational archive. The combination of the retrospective documentary and the technical breakdown by Vilmos Zsigmond provides a holistic understanding of Altman’s vision. For cinephiles, this collection represents the gold standard of physical media curation.
Final Rating of Extras Package: 9/10
Kino Lorber Studio Classics Special Edition The Long Goodbye (1973) , released in December 2021, features a brand-new 4K restoration
that significantly improves upon previous home video transfers. This 1080p Blu-ray includes a comprehensive set of legacy and newly produced bonus materials that explore the film’s unique "flashed" visual style and its deconstruction of the hard-boiled detective genre. Special Features and Extras
The 2021 release is packed with featurettes and commentaries that provide deep context for Robert Altman's revisionist noir: The Movie Isle The Long Goodbye (Special Edition) (Blu-ray) - Kino Lorber
Product Extras : * LIMITED O-CARD SLIPCASE NO LONGER PROMISED FOR NEW ORDERS. KINDLY REFRAIN FROM ASKING. * Brand New 4K Master. * kinolorber.com The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
2021 Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye (1973) is a "Special Edition" from Kino Lorber that features a new 4K master and an extensive set of supplemental materials. Kino Lorber Technical Specifications
: 1080p high-definition transfer from a new 4K restoration of the film from an interpositive. : English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio. : Optional English SDH.
: Includes reversible art and a limited edition O-card slipcase (available on early pressings). Kino Lorber Special Features & Extras
The release combines newly produced content with archival materials from previous editions. Cinema Retro New to this Edition Audio Commentary
: An informative track by film historian Tim Lucas that compares the final film to the original Leigh Brackett script and Raymond Chandler novel. David Thompson on Robert Altman
: A featurette (approx. 21 min) with the film historian and critic discussing the director’s career and this specific film. Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler
: A featurette (approx. 14 min) exploring the author's work and legacy. Maxim Jakubowski on Hard-Boiled Fiction
: A deep-dive rumination on the hard-boiled and noir genres. Trailers From Hell
: A segment featuring screenwriter Josh Olson discussing the film. The Digital Bits Archival Features The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
The Long Goodbye: A Cinematic Masterpiece Reborn in 1080p Blu-ray Glory
In 1973, director Robert Altman brought to life Raymond Chandler's iconic character, private investigator Philip Marlowe, in the film adaptation of "The Long Goodbye." This neo-noir mystery-drama, based on Chandler's 1953 novel of the same name, would go on to become a cult classic, praised for its complex narrative, memorable characters, and Altman's signature directorial style. Nearly five decades after its initial release, "The Long Goodbye" has been reborn in a stunning 1080p Blu-ray edition, offering a fresh and exciting viewing experience for both old and new fans of the film. the long goodbye 1973 extras 1080p bluray 2021
A Faithful Adaptation
"The Long Goodbye" tells the story of Philip Marlowe (played by Elliott Gould), a hard-boiled detective who becomes embroiled in a complex case involving a wealthy, troubled veteran, Terry Lennox (played by David Niven). Lennox's wife, Sylvia (played by Margot Kidder), hires Marlowe to follow her husband, who is suspected of being unfaithful. However, as Marlowe delves deeper into the case, he discovers a web of deceit, corruption, and murder that leads him on a perilous journey through the dark underbelly of 1950s Los Angeles.
Altman's adaptation of Chandler's novel remained remarkably faithful to the source material, capturing the essence of the author's distinctive writing style and the character of Philip Marlowe. Gould's portrayal of Marlowe, in particular, brought a new interpretation to the character, infusing him with a sense of vulnerability and humor that resonated with audiences.
A Masterclass in Direction
Robert Altman's direction in "The Long Goodbye" is a masterclass in cinematic storytelling. His use of location shooting, coupled with a deliberate pacing, created a sense of realism that immersed viewers in the world of 1950s Los Angeles. The film's cinematography, handled by John A. Alonzo, added to the overall atmosphere, capturing the bleakness and desolation of the city's landscape.
Altman's innovative approach to storytelling also involved experimenting with non-linear narrative structures, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. This technique added to the film's complexity, making "The Long Goodbye" a rich and rewarding watch.
The 2021 1080p Blu-ray Release
The 2021 1080p Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" offers a significantly enhanced viewing experience compared to previous home video releases. The transfer, supervised by director Robert Altman and cinematographer John A. Alonzo, presents the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, with a crisp and detailed picture that reveals new textures and nuances.
The audio transfer, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, has also been significantly improved, offering a clear and robust soundtrack that preserves the film's original sound design. The disc includes a range of bonus features, including interviews with Altman and Gould, which provide valuable insights into the making of the film.
Extras and Bonus Features
The 2021 1080p Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" includes a range of extras and bonus features that enhance the overall viewing experience. These include:
Conclusion
The 2021 1080p Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" is a significant upgrade for fans of the film, offering a stunning new transfer that brings out the best in Robert Altman's neo-noir masterpiece. With its complex narrative, memorable characters, and Altman's signature direction, "The Long Goodbye" remains a must-watch for fans of cinema. Whether you're a longtime fan of the film or new to the world of Philip Marlowe, this Blu-ray release is an essential addition to any home video collection.
Technical Specifications
Availability
The 2021 1080p Blu-ray release of "The Long Goodbye" is widely available from online retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, as well as from local specialty video stores.
Recommendation
"The Long Goodbye" (1973) 1080p Blu-ray is a highly recommended purchase for: The 2021 extras finally answer three questions: First,
Don't miss the opportunity to experience this cinematic masterpiece in a whole new light. Get your copy of "The Long Goodbye" 1080p Blu-ray today and immerse yourself in the world of Philip Marlowe like never before.
Title: The Last Goodbye to the 70s: Deconstructing Altman’s Noir in 1080p
There is a specific moment in Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye—roughly forty-two minutes in—where Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) stops looking for his friend Terry Lennox and starts looking for a ghost of himself. He stands in a grocery store, buying cat food for a cat that doesn’t belong to him, in a Los Angeles that has asphalted over its dreams. Watching this film in 2021 via Kino Lorber’s 1080p Blu-ray transfer is not merely watching a detective story; it is watching the 1970s cannibalize the 1940s.
But the real excavation happens in the extras. And for a film about moral decay, hidden motives, and the death of the "old world," the 2021 Blu-ray extras serve as a forensic autopsy of American cinema.
The Transfer: A Dirty, Sunny Hangover
Let’s start with the obvious: Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography has never looked this beautifully bleached. The 2021 1080p transfer (sourced from a new 4K master) refuses to scrub away the flaws. The halation around car headlights, the grain in the Malibu beach house, the sickly yellow-green of the LA smog—it’s all intact. This is not a shiny, HDR-blasted revision. It is a hangover. You feel the heat radiating off the frame. The extras contextualize why: this was Altman’s "flattened" look, meant to make the wealthy (Sterling Hayden’s drunken writer) look just as grimy as the street thugs.
The Commentary Track: Listening to a Funeral
The primary gem is the audio commentary by film historians. Unlike modern puff-pieces, this track treats The Long Goodbye as a eulogy. They walk you through the corpse of old Hollywood. Did you know that Altman bought the rights to Chandler’s novel specifically to "break its back"? The commentators dissect how Gould’s Marlowe isn't a hero; he’s an anachronism. He says "It’s OK with me" to everything because he has realized the code of honor is worthless.
One specific extra delves into the casting of Arnold Schwarzenegger (yes, pre-Terminator) as a silent, muscle-bound thug. In the featurette "Rip Van Marlowe: 1973 vs. 2021", they argue that Arnie’s character represents the future: brute force without dialogue, spectacle without reason. Marlowe talks; Arnie just punches. Watching that in 2021, you realize Altman predicted the death of the literate protagonist.
The Deleted Scenes: The Cat’s Second Act
The most haunting extra is the 8mm dailies of the cat. If you know the film, you know the opening ten minutes—Marlowe trying to get his finicky cat to eat the wrong brand of food. The 2021 Blu-ray includes a silent, grainy reel of Altman directing that cat for six hours. No dialogue. Just the director whispering, "Walk left. No, stop." The featurette "Feline Noir: On Set Mayhem" explains that the cat was a rescue who hated Gould. The metaphor is unavoidable: the 1940s Marlowe (the cat) refuses to cooperate with the 1973 version. Eventually, Altman gave up. He kept the cat's resistance in the final cut. That’s the thesis of the whole film: you can’t train the past to eat your present.
The Audio Interview (1975): Elliot Gould’s Wounded Heart
Buried in the menu’s "Archival" section is a 1975 radio interview with Gould, digitized from a crackling reel. He is raw. He talks about how the studio (United Artists) hated the ending. Spoiler: Marlowe kills his best friend in cold blood and walks off whistling. The studio wanted a shootout. Altman refused. Gould says: "Bob said, 'Elliot, in this town, friendship is just the time between betrayals.'"
Listening to that interview after watching the 2021 transfer, you understand the "extra" value. It’s not about technical specs. It’s about the anger. The Long Goodbye is an angry film. It’s angry at the 1940s for lying to us about justice. It’s angry at the 1970s for being too stoned to care.
The Visual Essay: "The Long Take of the Long Goodbye"
Finally, there is a 22-minute visual essay by a critic named Imogen Sara Smith. She tracks a single, unbroken shot from the police station scene. As Marlowe is booked, the camera never cuts. In the background, a cop eats a donut. Another files his nails. Smith argues this is Altman’s thesis: the system isn't evil; it's boring. Indifference is the real villain. She overlays the shot with footage of 2021 LA—homeless tents, self-driving cars, influencers filming themselves. The essay concludes: "Marlowe didn't lose because he was weak. He lost because he expected someone to care."
Final Verdict: The Disk as Time Capsule
Most Blu-ray extras are fluff. Commercials for the film’s legacy. But the 2021 The Long Goodbye extras are a mirror. They force you to watch the film not as a period piece, but as a prophecy. Altman’s Los Angeles is our Los Angeles. The wealthy are still insane (Sterling Hayden’s wife-beating writer is just a less online version of today’s moguls). The police are still indifferent. And somewhere, a man in a rumpled suit is trying to buy the right brand of cat food for a cat that will never love him. Conclusion The 2021 1080p Blu-ray release of "The
Upgrade to the 1080p for the grain. Stay for the supplements. They won’t give you closure. Because, as Altman knew, a long goodbye is just a death you refuse to name.
Rating: ★★★★½ (Five stars for the film, four for the hope that we learn anything from it).
Watch it with the lights off. And don’t trust your friends.
The 2021 Kino Lorber Studio Classics release of The Long Goodbye (1973)
features a new 4K master from an interpositive, significantly improving image quality over previous versions. This special edition Blu-ray, released on December 7, 2021, includes both new supplements and legacy extras. Special Features
The disc contains several in-depth featurettes and analytical commentaries:
New Audio Commentary: Featuring film historian Tim Lucas, who discusses the film's production, its relationship to Raymond Chandler's novel, and technical details.
Rip Van Marlowe (24 min): A legacy featurette with director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould exploring the concept of Marlowe as a 1950s character in a 1970s world.
Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye (14 min): Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond details the "flashing" technique used to create the film’s unique, hazy visual style. Biographical Featurettes:
David Thompson on Robert Altman: An overview of Altman's career and his deconstruction of genres.
Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: A look at the author's life and his depiction of Los Angeles.
Maxim Jakubowski on Hard Boiled Fiction: A deep dive into the history of noir and pulp literature. Additional Material:
American Cinematographer 1973 Article: An animated on-screen reproduction of the original technical article.
Trailers from Hell: A segment featuring screenwriter Josh Olson.
Vintage Media: Two theatrical trailers, TV spots, and five radio spots. Technical Specs Resolution: 1080p High Definition.
Audio: English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with optional English SDH subtitles.
Packaging: Includes reversible cover art featuring original posters and a limited edition O-card slipcase (available with early orders).
This edition is currently available at retailers like Kino Lorber and Amazon. The Long Goodbye (Special Edition) (Blu-ray) - Kino Lorber
