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Carnal Knowledge (Blu-ray)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Powerhouse Films Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (12th June 2025). |
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The Film
 Jack Nicholson (The Passenger) and Art Garfunkel (Bad Timing) star alongside Candice Bergen (Starting Over) and Ann-Margret (R.P.M.) in Carnal Knowledge, one of American cinema’s most daring and provocative films, masterfully directed by Mike Nichols (The Graduate). During their time in college, roommates Sandy (Garfunkel) and Jonathan (Nicholson) reveal their innermost feelings about girls and sex to one another, each taking his own approach to getting what he wants. As they grow older and establish new relationships, they continue to share their fantasies and frustrations about the opposite sex, each responding differently to the mixture of desire, distain and disinterest they experience. Note-perfect dialogue from the pen of the great Jules Feiffer (Little Murders) and exquisite photography by legendary Italian cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno (Fellini Satyricon) combine with universally outstanding performances – including from supporting players Rita Moreno (The Night of the Following Day) and Carol Kane (The Last Detail) – to create an unflinching and uncompromising classic of the New Hollywood era.
Video
I first saw Carnal Knowledge in the early 1980s on British television and it's one of those films that's easy to admire but not to love. It deserves all the plaudits it gets but ultimately it's about toxic masculinity as embodied by Jack Nicholson's character, a man always in search of the perfect woman but his misogyny keeps getting in the way of success. His best pal Art Garfunkel (as good as Nicholson, which must've been a surprise to everyone at the time) is less of a screwed up masculine douche but still has some issues. It tells their story - and the women they love - from the late '40s through the early '70s. Ultimately it's all rather sad and both actors are too old to play in the early years of the story (Nicholson was 33-34 and Garfunkel 29-30). The story is shades of gray in how it treats the men; these are fleshed out, well-drawn, mature characterisations; certainly realistic portraits of some males experience but they continually objectify the women and treat them as objects despite token gestures of thoughtfulness towards them (more-so Garfunkel). Ultimately, the direction and performances carry this one across the line even if it's not *enjoyable*. What is undeniable superb about this film is the lush cinematography of Giuseppe Rotunno, the production design of Richard Sylbert and the soundtrack of forties tunes. From the booklet: Carnal Knowledge was restored in 4K SDR from the original negative by Studiocanal. The film’s original mono audio track was remastered at the same time. Additional work to produce the 4K HDR master was undertaken by Renasci Films. Munro was scanned at 4K by Colorlab. The film was restored in 4K by Filmfinitythis new restoration by Studiocanal looks the bees knees on the new Powerhouse Films' BD release (and no doubt even better in their 4K / HDR release). Colours are warm and rich throughout with interiors evoking a nostalgic past and exteriors more muted but still having great delineation and ruddy flesh tones. Black levels are extraordinarily velvety and rich with contrast ensuring that all textures are almost touchable with individual fibres visible. The encode handles the fine grain with aplomb, it looks very filmic ('A+'). 1080p24 / AVC MPEG-4 / BD50 / 2.39:1 / 98:02
Audio
English LPCM 1.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) Subtitles: English HoH Sound is strong and perfectly representative of the original theatrical mix. Dialogue is the main thing and is always crisp and clear although occasionally there's some distortion albeit very minor and brief, usually when someone raises their voice. The scoring is perfectly balanced and never interferes. It's gets the hob done generally well; it's typical of analogue recording of the era with limited range and some very gentle hiss but the latter is only detectable when played loud. Hard of hearing subtitles are exceptional and translate all the nuance ('B').
Extras
Audio commentary with writer and film scholar Justin Bozung (2025) An excellent, engrossing Yaktrak that focuses a great deal on both Feiffer and Nichols and their careers and influences and how they feed into Carnal Knowledge. The film's themes get analysed, especially the sexual politics which get a strong look-in as as Bozung dissects both lead character's attitudes towards women; the postwar US being very much a male-dominated society and both Jonathan (Nichols) and Sandy (Garfunkel) display these patriarchal traits. We also get the usual trivia and even Marlon Brno's thoughts on the film (he was a fan). Presented in lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (48kHz, 192kbps) with no subtitle options. "Mike Nichols and Jason Reitman in Conversation" 2011 interview (36:01) "Cruel Masters: Richard Ayoade on Carnal Knowledge" 2025 interview (13:06) The second piece is a superb deconstruction and appreciation by renowned actor, writer and director Ayoade who is always very interesting with talking passionately about films he loves. He first saw the film "about fifteen years ago in a Mike Nichols research phase". In the first we get a solid interview (and discussion of the film) with Nichols well conducted by Reitman. Both are presented in 1080p24 1.78:1 with 2.39:1 clips and with lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo (48kHz, 192Kbps) and no subtitles. "The Studs Terkel Program: Jules Feiffer on Midlife Crisis" radio excerpt from 30 November 1979 (52:12) "The Studs Terkel Program: Jules Feiffer on Relationships" radio excerpt from 12 April 1990 (46:14) Two chunky radio appearances (98:26) by Feiffer in which his intelligence and humour comes to the fore; he's a mellow and informed subject. Terkel keeps him on track with focussed discussions and perceptive interviewing. Presented with a black screen in 1080p24 1.78:1 with lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (48kHz, 192Kbps) and no subtitles. Theatrical Trailer (2:36) Teaser Trailer (0:54) Radio Spots (1:31): - Spot #1 (1:00) - Spot #2 (0:31) Various vintage promos with the trailers presented in 1080p24 1.85:1 with uncompressed LPCM 1.0 (48kHz, 16-bit) but no subtitle options. The radio spots have a rotating 45rpm record image and the sound is the same as the trailers except using 24-bit. Carnal Knowledge Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (94 images) Carnal Knowledge Image Gallery: UK Press Pack (27 images) Seriously satisfying HD still gallery with a wealth of promo pieces. The press pack is also a welcome addition. "Jules Feiffer's Munro" 1960 short film (8:56) An hilarious and rather dry satirical pshort cartoon lampooning bureaucracy as a four year old (the title character) gets drafted into the US army. Very, very Jules Feiffer. Presented in 1080p24 1.37:1 with uncompressed English LPCM 1.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) Comes with an 80-page liner notes booklet with a new essay by Brad Stevens, an archival interview with director Mike Nichols, writer Jules Feiffer and actor Jack Nicholson, a contemporary location report originally published in American Cinematographer, an account of the controversies surround the film’s original release, a reprint of a 1972 Sight and Sound article on the film and its place within Nichols’ oeuvre and full film credits Another exceptional dissection of a well regarded film with a bumper volume twice the usual length containing plenty of new and archival articles and excerpts.
Packaging
Not sent for review.ch
Overall
A long forgotten classic of early '70s relationship drama gets the special edition treatment with stunning image and decent sound. Extras are choice and bring great contextual added value which this film really needs as it's a snapshot of attitudes that were very much of their time but fell out of parlance for while but look like they're bubbling under again. Essential for fans of American new wave ('A-').
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