The Film (3.5/5)

     When the film you release to the world is an instant classic, and so overwhelming at odds with what came before it, where do you go? This has been an issue for many first time directors over the century plus of cinema, but I'd go so far no one had a greater film to follow than Orson Welles and his film Citizen Kane. When he did the following year with the Magnificent Ambersons, his vision would be compromised by studio RKO, who took away his rights to have final cut over the film, and removed over an hour of footage, while also tampering with Bernard Herrmann's score for the project. What survives is a fine film in it's own right, but knowing the story, it feels like a lot of the film is missing especially from the last act.

    The Magnificent Ambersons charts the life of the Ambersons, a wealthy family in the early 20th century. It depicts their lives, and relationships, but tends to focus on George, the son of Isabel Amberson and Wilbur Minafer. George is spoiled and out-of-control as a child, and his behavior rarely matures as he ages. His Mother, was in love with a man named Morgan, but married Wilbur instead. Morgan and Isabel have carried on their feelings for one another throughout their lives. At the same time Wilbur's sister Fanny also displays a love for the now elder Morgan. George meanwhile has fallen in love with Morgan’s daughter.

    The film opens with a family at the height of its wealth and power, but over the course of the narrative shows their decline, and also the decline of the community around them. There is a heavy sense of nostalgia in the film for a bygone era with mentions of prior dances in the town, amongst other things. The film in its earliest sections feels carefully constructed, and sets up an interesting narrative about the death and effects of the American dream.

    The last part of the film, feels quite a lot different from the beginning with character motivations changing suddenly, and the picture becoming a more rushed, rather than the deliberate affair it was early on. Nonetheless, Ambersons is still a wonderful film with amazing drama, intense performances, and excellent direction from Welles'. It just feels like a compromised picture, and one could only imagine what the original cut was like.

Audio/Video (4/5)

    Criterion presents the Magnificent Ambersons in a very solid 1:37:1 1080p transfer. This is great transfer with solid contrast, excellent detail, and decent blacks.  Apparently, the materials for this one were never in great shape, so it's not perfect, but it is as close as we will get in the Blu-ray generation.

    The audio is handled by an LPCM mono track in English that is quite effective and sounds reasonably clear, and presents no apparent issues.

Extras (5/5)

    This is quite an epic release from Criterion. We get 2 commentary tracks, multiple interview, video essays, trailers, archival TV interviews and so much more. This is sure set to please Welles' fans out their greatly.

Overall

    The Magnificent Ambersons should define the term flawed or stolen masterpiece. The Blu-ray, however, makes it look better than before, and the extras just push this one over the top. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.