Critics universally praised the upgrade. The color timing is richer and deeper, capturing the unique "flashed" look that cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond pioneered, where the negative was pre-exposed to lower contrast and create a dreamy, sun-baked texture. Fine details of costume and décor now stand out with remarkable clarity, and the natural film grain resolves in a pleasing, organic manner. While some minor issues with black levels creeping toward crush in the darkest moments have been noted, the consensus is that the presentation is "pretty remarkable," representing a near-perfect viewing experience for a film that has never looked better. The accompanying lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track cleans up the audio, allowing Altman's famous overlapping dialogue to remain clear and distinct without becoming a muddy mess.
Several supplements trace the lineage from page to screen, analyzing how Leigh Brackett successfully modernized Chandler's prose while radically altering the book's controversial ending. These pieces highlight how The Long Goodbye acted as a bridge between classic studio-era noir and the cynical, paranoid political thrillers that dominated the 1970s. 4. Promotional Galleries and Trailers
The release includes an archival article from American Cinematographer (1973) accessible via text screens, highlighting the technical achievements of the production. Why This Release Matters the long goodbye 1973 extras 1080p bluray 2021
The 2021 Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's 1973 film The Long Goodbye
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 Critics universally praised the upgrade
: A segment with screenwriter and podcaster Josh Olson.
: Two theatrical trailers, a TV spot, and five radio spots. Packaging : While some minor issues with black levels creeping
: An exploration of the history of the "hard-boiled" and pulp detective genres. Archival Featurettes :
: The original promotional material for the film's initial release.