Midnight Cowboy (1969) Criterion 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC EAC3-SARTRE + Extras

Based on a James Leo Herlihy novel, British director John Schlesinger's first American film dramatized the small hopes, dashed dreams, and unlikely friendship of two late '60s lost souls. Dreaming of an easy life as a fantasy cowboy stud, cheerful Texas rube Joe Buck (Jon Voight) heads to New York City to be a gigolo, but he quickly discovers that hustling isn't what he thought it would be after he winds up paying his first trick (Sylvia Miles). He gets swindled by gimpy tubercular grifter Rico "Ratso" Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) but, when Joe falls in the direst of straits, Ratso takes Joe into his condemned apartment so that they can help each other survive. Things start to look up when Joe finally lands his first legit female customer (Brenda Vaccaro) at a Warhol-esque party; Ratso's health, however, fails. Joe turns a final trick to get the money for one selfless goal: taking Ratso out of New York to his dream life in Miami. One of the first major studio films given the newly minted X rating for its then-frank portrayal of New York decadence, Midnight Cowboy was critically praised for Schlesinger's insight into American lives, with the intercut mosaic of Joe's memories and Ratso's dreams lending their characters and actions greater psychological complexity. While they may have been drawn by the seamy content (tame by current standards), the young late '60s audience responded to Joe's and Ratso's confusion amidst turbulent times and to the connection they make with each other despite their alienation from the surrounding culture. Midnight Cowboy became one of the major financial and artistic hits of 1969, winning Oscars for Best Picture (the first for an X-rated film), Best Director, and former blacklistee Waldo Salt's screenplay. Though the one-two punch of Midnight Cowboy and The Graduate (1967) proved Hoffman's range and Voight's Joe Buck made him a star, both lost Best Actor to classical cowboy John Wayne for True Grit. The film was later re-rated R by the MPAA.

Sample Clip (Download file for actual quality)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R7saLHFBqF_RMEAEskwsNcyONXPAoLt3



Extras

• Thirty-Firth Anniversary Documentaries - The two documentaries that are presented here were produced by MGM for the thirty-fifth anniversary DVD release of Midnight Cowboy from 2004. Both are also included on the first Blu-ray release of the film.

1) After Midnight: Reflecting On a Classic 35 Years Later - Dustin Hoffman, Sylvia Miles, producer Jerome Hellman, Jennifer Salt, and cinematographer Adam Holender, amongst others, discuss the film's production history, how James Leo Herlihy's famous novel was adapted, director John Schlesinger and his legacy, etc. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 30 min).

2) Controversy and Acclaim - A collection of video interviews focusing on the controversy that surrounded Midnight Cowboy before and after it was released. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 11 min).

• Michael Childers - In this brand new program, Michael Childers, life partner of John Schlesinger and his assistant during the shooting of Midnight Cowboy, recalls his initial encounter with the director and discusses the production history of the film. Included in the program are vintage stills that Mr. Childers took during the shooting process. The program was created exclusively for Criterion. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 14 min).

• Adam Holender - In this brand new video essay, cinematographer Adam Holender discusses in great detail the visual style of Midnight Cowboy and specifically how light was treated in various key sequences to get the right ambience. Also, there are excellent comments about specific location shots as well as unique lensing choices. Fantastic information. The essay was created exclusively for Criterion in February 2018. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 26 min).

• The Crowd Around the Cowboy - This short vintage documentary film was shot and directed by Finnish cinematographer Jeri Sopanen (My Dinner with André) who was present during the production of Midnight Cowboy in 1969. It contains raw footage and behind-the-scenes material. The film is sourced from a print held by the National Film and Television Archive. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 9 min).

• John Schlesinger Interview - In this archival interview, John Schlesinger discusses the manner in which homosexuality is represented in his work, with some interesting observations about Darling and Sunday Bloody Sunday, and the nature and personality of Jon Voight's iconic character in Midnight Cowboy. The interview was conducted by Merle Goldberg for BAFTA Los Angeles in 2000. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 16 min).

• John Schlesinger BAFTA Tribute - A collection of excerpts from BAFTA's tribute to John Schlesinger on May 19, 2002, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, featuring producer and studio executive David Picker and actors Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman. Mr. Voight's recollections about the era and social climate in which Midnight Cowboy emerged are particularly interesting. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 34 min).

• Jon Voight on The David Frost Show - In this archival interview, Jon Voight explains how he entered the film business after he initially tried to have a career as a stand-up comedian, and discusses his early 'accent roles' and his involvement with Midnight Cowboy. The interview was conducted in 1970. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 15 min).

• Jon Voight Screen Tests - Presented here is a collection of hilarious vintage screen tests for Midnight Cowboy in which Jon Voight does a series of improvisations. The tests were conducted by screenwriter Waldo Salt. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 7 min).

• Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter's Journey - This archival documentary film, which was nominated for Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, focuses on the life and legacy of screenwriter Waldo Salt. It was produced by Eugene Corr and Robert Hillmann in 1990. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 58 min).

• Trailer - Original restored trailer for Midnight Cowboy. In English, not subtitled. (720p, 2 min).

• Audio Commentary - This audio commentary features director John Schlesinger and producer Jerome Hellman and was recorded in 1991. To be perfectly clear, this is not the same commentary that MGM commissioned and included on the Collector's Edition DVD release and the first Blu-ray release of Midnight Cowboy. Most older collectors will remember that back in the days the commentary was included on Criterion's LD release of the film. [The MGM release commentary is also included]

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