My Fair Lady (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Rating: G
Film: 5/5
 
Plot
This beloved adaptation of the Broadway stage hit stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle, a sassy, working-class London street vendor, and Rex Harrison as the elitist Professor Higgins, who attempts to turn Eliza into a sophisticated lady through proper tutoring. But, when the humble flower girl blossoms into the toast of London society, her teacher may have a lesson or two to learn himself.
 
My Thoughts
Winner of eight Academy Awards*, including Best Picture, My Fair Lady also won the Best Picture Golden Globe® and was selected for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.  Adapted from the Broadway stage hit, the film stars Rex Harrison as Professor Higgins, a role that earned him the Oscar® for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Audrey Hepburn as the unforgettable Eliza Doolittle. Shockingly, the stunning actress was not nominated for her role and without her the film wouldn’t be the same—she’s absolutely marvelous (and quite easy on the eyes).
 
I’ve watched the film multiple times over the past 20 years and it’s one of my favorite musicals. Like most films for the 1950s, it’s a tad too long and could use some editing, but the 40 extra minutes does allow Hepburn to be on screen a bit longer, which is a plus.
 
The video transfer to 4K is stunning and is derived from an 8K master and it certainly shows. Detail is off the charts, colors are stunning and vivid, and the depth in 4K is to die-for. The audio track is the same 7.1 Dolby TrueHD track from the 2016 Blu-ray and while it doesn’t break any new ground, it does expand upon the original mono track. One thing to note is the L/R surround channels are barely used (if at all) and most of the rear soundstage comes from the L/R rear channels.
 
Video 10/10
 
Audio 9/10 (Dolby TrueHD 7.1)
 
Special Features (Housed on included Blu-ray supplemental disc):
 
·        More Loverly Than Ever: The Making of My Fair Lady Then & Now
·        1963 Production Kick-Off Dinner
·        Los Angeles Premiere 10/28/1964
·        British Premiere
·        George Cukor Directs Baroness Bina Rothschild
·        Rex Harrison Radio Interview
·        Production Tests
o   Lighting
o   Wilfred Hyde White make-up
o   Rain/set
o   Covent Garden lighting test
o   Alt. Higgins/Pickering screen test
·        Alternate Audrey Hepburn Vocals
o   Show Me
o   Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?
·        Galleries
·        Comments on a Lady
o   Andrew Lloyd Webber
o   Martin Scorsese
·        Theatrical Featurettes
·        Story of a Lady
·        Design for a Lady
·        The Fairest Fair Lady
·        Trailers
·        Theatrical Reissue: Poster Illustration
·        Theatrical Reissue: Poster Illustration Reserved Seats Trailer
·        Theatrical Reissue: Poster Illustration Awards
·        Theatrical Reissue
·        Awards
o   Rex Harrison BFI Honor
o   Rex Harrison Golden Globe Acceptance Speech
o   Academy Awards Ceremony Highlights 4/5/65
·        Movies Anywhere Digital Copy
 
 

 
 
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of musicals and haven’t seen this film given its age, definitely pick up the 4K if you see from your preferred retail partner. In order to get more classics released on 4K UHD Blu-ray, us collectors need to support the studios when they put this much effort into restoring such a classic film. Highly recommended!
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD  controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[AVSCraig]

A lot of classic songs in that film. I'm not sure I've seen this movie - maybe in bits and pieces years ago on network TV. I'm going to need to add this to my musical collection ! Thanks. 

[DLCPhoto]

I've always loved this movie - thanks for the review.

Do you also have the regular Blu-ray for this movie?  I so, do you think there's enough change to justify the upgrade?  Bluray.com also extols the beauty of this disc, which makes it pretty tempting for a double-dip.

[David Vaughn]

I've always loved this movie - thanks for the review.

Do you also have the regular Blu-ray for this movie?  I so, do you think there's enough change to justify the upgrade?  Bluray.com also extols the beauty of this disc, which makes it pretty tempting for a double-dip.

I do have the Blu-ray...if you're 4K capable (and I know you are and have a nice sized screen), you'll definitely see the benefit of the 8K scan. If you like the movie then it's worth seeing it like this...it has never looked better. 

[Barry]

Once again thanks David. I will order this.

[David Vaughn]

Once again thanks David. I will order this.

Enjoy Barry...you'll love it on your new screen!

[bmoney]

I have so many classics now on 4k to view.  the list grows 

[AVSCraig]

I have so many classics now on 4k to view.  the list grows

Same here. I have my own personal Netflix cue going. 

[bmoney]

hhahah yup

[bmoney]

Finally watched this. And was my first time ever. In fact had no clue what it was about. Have only heard about it in Hollywood history. So much ignorance going in, I was like wow this girl is super cute. She lights up the screen 

Only to find out it’s Audrey Hepburn (never seen a film w her in it obv). What a joy!

Classsic movie and it shows. Love her father in it as well. 

Review is spot on as usual 

[claw]

My copy arrived today.  Will watch it this weekend.  I remember my parents taking me to our small town (pop. 1065) cinema to see it when I was a kid.

[Paul Heroy]

Audrey Hepburn... I have a serious weakness for brunettes with big brown eyes, so she kinda short circuits my brain lol.

[David Vaughn]

Audrey Hepburn... I have a serious weakness for brunettes with big brown eyes, so she kinda short circuits my brain lol.

She was definitely smokin' hot...no debate there. 

[Barry]

It took me two nights, but I finished May fair Lady!!!! (and then watched Last Action Hero).  Great Movie, but I like the end of Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw, better. In fact, I saw Peter O'Toole on Broadway in the play.

But everyone here is terrific and I love the music.  I do wonder what the movie would have been with Julie Andrews.

If you don't know, in the original, she leaves the older, ego centrist Higgins and marries Freddy. 

[claw]

Viewed it last night.  It was like sitting in the front row of a live theater performance.

I hope that Breakfast at Tiffany's gets the same 4K treatment some day.

My Fair Lady (4K UHD Blu-ray) review