What a perfect time for this movie to be rerelease on blu ray. A whole new generation can watch the film that changed theater forever. As George Lucas was putting the wraps on sci-fi classic THX 138 Francis Ford Coppola bet Lucas he couldn’t write a screenplay with mass appeal. It seems that George Lucas may have won the bet but both of them have been laughing all the way to the bank ever since.
American Graffiti is a coming of age film that takes place in Modesto California. The movie centers around a young couple Steve and Laurie played by Ron Howard and Cindy Williams. The movie inspired Ron Howards next job which was a 10 year run on the TV show Happy Days.
This film for some reason stands the test of time. The skits and jokes while predictable are still funny. the acting is awesome. Harrison Ford , Mackenzie Phillips, Kathleen Quinlan, Bo Hopkins and Suzanne Somers all have supporting roles in this classic. Richard Dreyfuss also joins the cast as Curt Henderson hot off his role in Valley of the Dolls with Sharon Tate and the hugely successful Mike Nichols film The Graduate.
Where this film really benefits from its remastering to blu ray is the audio. The hotrods and the music sound awesome. A couple of studios passed on this movie because they thought having all of this great music instead of a score would add huge licensing costs. When you hear Steve Cropper’s guitar ripping through your speakers during Booker T and the MGs hit Green Onions you will appreciate the blu ray treatment of this film. The music on this film was worth every penny of licensing costs. American Graffiti will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on May 31st 2011
Geek note: The Yellow Coupe made famous by this movie had California plate number THX 138
Synopsis: From director George Lucas (Star Wars) and producer Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), American Graffiti is a classic coming-of-age story set against the 1960s backdrop of hot rods, drive-ins and rock n’ roll. Starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips and Suzanne Somers in their breakout roles, this nostalgic look back follows a group of teenagers as they cruise the streets on their last summer night before college. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, American Graffiti features the howling sounds of Wolfman Jack and an unforgettable soundtrack with songs by Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys and Bill Haley & His Comets.
Starring: Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Wolfman Jack, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Suzanne Somers
Directed by: George Lucas
Disc 1: Rated Version
Run Time: 1 Hours and 53 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG (N/A)
Audio: DTS HD 2.0 Audio (English), DTS 2.0 Mono (French)
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Picture: Widescreen (2.35:1)
Color
Bonus:
U-Control: Video Commentary with Director George Lucas
U-Control: The Music of American Graffiti
The Making of American Graffiti
Screen Tests
Theatrical Trailer
My Scenes
BD-Live
Pocket BLU App
