The 1080p extras on the 2021 The Long Goodbye Blu-ray transform this release from a simple movie purchase into an educational archive. The combination of the retrospective documentary and the technical breakdown by Vilmos Zsigmond provides a holistic understanding of Altman’s vision. For cinephiles, this collection represents the gold standard of physical media curation.
Final Rating of Extras Package: 9/10
Title: The Last Goodbye to the 70s: Deconstructing Altman’s Noir in 1080p
There is a specific moment in Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye—roughly forty-two minutes in—where Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) stops looking for his friend Terry Lennox and starts looking for a ghost of himself. He stands in a grocery store, buying cat food for a cat that doesn’t belong to him, in a Los Angeles that has asphalted over its dreams. Watching this film in 2021 via Kino Lorber’s 1080p Blu-ray transfer is not merely watching a detective story; it is watching the 1970s cannibalize the 1940s.
But the real excavation happens in the extras. And for a film about moral decay, hidden motives, and the death of the "old world," the 2021 Blu-ray extras serve as a forensic autopsy of American cinema.
The Transfer: A Dirty, Sunny Hangover
Let’s start with the obvious: Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography has never looked this beautifully bleached. The 2021 1080p transfer (sourced from a new 4K master) refuses to scrub away the flaws. The halation around car headlights, the grain in the Malibu beach house, the sickly yellow-green of the LA smog—it’s all intact. This is not a shiny, HDR-blasted revision. It is a hangover. You feel the heat radiating off the frame. The extras contextualize why: this was Altman’s "flattened" look, meant to make the wealthy (Sterling Hayden’s drunken writer) look just as grimy as the street thugs.
The Commentary Track: Listening to a Funeral
The primary gem is the audio commentary by film historians. Unlike modern puff-pieces, this track treats The Long Goodbye as a eulogy. They walk you through the corpse of old Hollywood. Did you know that Altman bought the rights to Chandler’s novel specifically to "break its back"? The commentators dissect how Gould’s Marlowe isn't a hero; he’s an anachronism. He says "It’s OK with me" to everything because he has realized the code of honor is worthless.
One specific extra delves into the casting of Arnold Schwarzenegger (yes, pre-Terminator) as a silent, muscle-bound thug. In the featurette "Rip Van Marlowe: 1973 vs. 2021", they argue that Arnie’s character represents the future: brute force without dialogue, spectacle without reason. Marlowe talks; Arnie just punches. Watching that in 2021, you realize Altman predicted the death of the literate protagonist.
The Deleted Scenes: The Cat’s Second Act
The most haunting extra is the 8mm dailies of the cat. If you know the film, you know the opening ten minutes—Marlowe trying to get his finicky cat to eat the wrong brand of food. The 2021 Blu-ray includes a silent, grainy reel of Altman directing that cat for six hours. No dialogue. Just the director whispering, "Walk left. No, stop." The featurette "Feline Noir: On Set Mayhem" explains that the cat was a rescue who hated Gould. The metaphor is unavoidable: the 1940s Marlowe (the cat) refuses to cooperate with the 1973 version. Eventually, Altman gave up. He kept the cat's resistance in the final cut. That’s the thesis of the whole film: you can’t train the past to eat your present.
The Audio Interview (1975): Elliot Gould’s Wounded Heart
Buried in the menu’s "Archival" section is a 1975 radio interview with Gould, digitized from a crackling reel. He is raw. He talks about how the studio (United Artists) hated the ending. Spoiler: Marlowe kills his best friend in cold blood and walks off whistling. The studio wanted a shootout. Altman refused. Gould says: "Bob said, 'Elliot, in this town, friendship is just the time between betrayals.'"
Listening to that interview after watching the 2021 transfer, you understand the "extra" value. It’s not about technical specs. It’s about the anger. The Long Goodbye is an angry film. It’s angry at the 1940s for lying to us about justice. It’s angry at the 1970s for being too stoned to care.
The Visual Essay: "The Long Take of the Long Goodbye"
Finally, there is a 22-minute visual essay by a critic named Imogen Sara Smith. She tracks a single, unbroken shot from the police station scene. As Marlowe is booked, the camera never cuts. In the background, a cop eats a donut. Another files his nails. Smith argues this is Altman’s thesis: the system isn't evil; it's boring. Indifference is the real villain. She overlays the shot with footage of 2021 LA—homeless tents, self-driving cars, influencers filming themselves. The essay concludes: "Marlowe didn't lose because he was weak. He lost because he expected someone to care."
Final Verdict: The Disk as Time Capsule
Most Blu-ray extras are fluff. Commercials for the film’s legacy. But the 2021 The Long Goodbye extras are a mirror. They force you to watch the film not as a period piece, but as a prophecy. Altman’s Los Angeles is our Los Angeles. The wealthy are still insane (Sterling Hayden’s wife-beating writer is just a less online version of today’s moguls). The police are still indifferent. And somewhere, a man in a rumpled suit is trying to buy the right brand of cat food for a cat that will never love him.
Upgrade to the 1080p for the grain. Stay for the supplements. They won’t give you closure. Because, as Altman knew, a long goodbye is just a death you refuse to name.
Rating: ★★★★½ (Five stars for the film, four for the hope that we learn anything from it).
Watch it with the lights off. And don’t trust your friends.
The Kino Lorber Studio Classics release of The Long Goodbye (1973), published on December 7, 2021, stands as a definitive high-definition edition of Robert Altman’s neo-noir masterpiece. This 1080p Blu-ray is headlined by a brand new 4K restoration that finally captures the film’s unique "flashed" visual aesthetic with modern precision. Comprehensive Special Features and Extras
The 2021 Special Edition is "stacked" with supplements that provide deep historical and technical context:
Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas: A new "film class in a box" track where the film historian compares the final film to Leigh Brackett's script and Raymond Chandler's novel.
Rip Van Marlowe (24.5 min): A legacy featurette featuring director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould discussing the film's controversial reception and Altman's improvisational style.
Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye (14.5 min): The legendary cinematographer explains the "flashing" technique used to create the film’s hazy, dream-like 1970s Los Angeles look.
David Thompson on Robert Altman (21 min): An overview of Altman's career and his penchant for deconstructing classic Hollywood genres.
Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler (14.5 min): A biographical look at the author and the enduring legacy of the Philip Marlowe character.
Maxim Jakubowski on Hard-Boiled Fiction (14.5 min): A crime critic’s rumination on the evolution of the hard-boiled genre.
Trailers From Hell with Josh Olson: A brief (2.75 min) discussion of the film layered over its theatrical trailer. the long goodbye 1973 extras 1080p bluray 2021
Archival Promotional Materials: Includes the original 1973 American Cinematographer article with animation, radio spots, TV spots, and two theatrical trailers. Technical Specifications
Video: 1080p High-Definition transfer from a 4K master, presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The new restoration offers richer contrast and deeper black levels compared to previous releases. Audio: English Master Audio Two-Channel Mono. Subtitles: Optional English SDH.
Format: Region A locked, single-disc standard Blu-ray case (initial orders included a limited O-card slipcase). Film Background and Legacy
Released in 1973, The Long Goodbye famously transplants Raymond Chandler’s 1950s private eye, Philip Marlowe (played by a "mischievous" Elliott Gould), into the hedonistic, cat-obsessed culture of 1970s Hollywood. While initially divisive, it is now celebrated for its original vision and its iconic filming locations, such as the High Tower Apartments in Los Angeles. The film also features a notable early, non-speaking appearance by Arnold Schwarzenegger as a mob thug.
For those looking to secure this edition, it is available through the Kino Lorber official store and major retailers like Amazon.
The Timeless Classic: A Look at "The Long Goodbye" (1973) in High Definition
In 1973, director Robert Altman released a film that would become a classic of American cinema: "The Long Goodbye". Based on the novel of the same name by Raymond Chandler, the film follows the story of private investigator Philip Marlowe, played by Elliott Gould, as he becomes embroiled in a complex case involving a missing person, a wealthy client, and a trail of deceit and corruption. Nearly five decades after its initial release, "The Long Goodbye" remains a masterpiece of neo-noir filmmaking, and its recent re-release on 1080p BluRay in 2021 offers a fresh perspective on this timeless classic.
The film's adaptation from the novel was a challenging task, given the complexity of Chandler's writing and the distinctive voice of Marlowe. However, Altman and his co-writer, John Kathleen Simon, successfully translated the novel's themes and characters to the screen, capturing the essence of Marlowe's world and the moral ambiguity that defines it. Elliott Gould's portrayal of Marlowe is particularly noteworthy, bringing a sense of vulnerability and wit to the character that is both faithful to the novel and freshly cinematic.
One of the standout features of "The Long Goodbye" is its use of Los Angeles as a character in its own right. The film's cinematography, handled by John A. Alonzo, captures the city's sprawling landscapes, bleak architecture, and eerie landscapes, creating a sense of disorientation and unease that mirrors Marlowe's own confusion and frustration. The film's LA setting was also a deliberate choice by Altman, who sought to use the city's sense of disconnection and moral decay to underscore the themes of the novel.
The recent 1080p BluRay release of "The Long Goodbye" offers a stunning restoration of the film's visuals, allowing viewers to appreciate the intricate details of Altman's direction and Alonzo's cinematography. The film's sound design and score, handled by Lalo Schifrin and Michael Small, respectively, have also been meticulously preserved, providing an immersive experience that draws the viewer into the world of the film.
The extras included with the 2021 BluRay release offer additional insights into the making of the film and its enduring legacy. Interviews with Altman, Gould, and other key cast and crew members provide a wealth of behind-the-scenes information, while critical commentary and analysis offer a deeper understanding of the film's themes and cinematic techniques. These supplements are a valuable addition to the film, allowing viewers to appreciate the complexity and craftsmanship that went into creating "The Long Goodbye".
In conclusion, "The Long Goodbye" (1973) remains a landmark film of American cinema, and its recent re-release on 1080p BluRay in 2021 is a welcome event for fans of the film and cinephiles in general. The film's exploration of moral ambiguity, corruption, and the fragility of human relationships continues to resonate with audiences today, and its use of Los Angeles as a character in its own right adds a layer of complexity and depth to the narrative. With its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and thoughtful extras, this BluRay release is a must-have for anyone interested in exploring the art of filmmaking and the enduring power of neo-noir cinema.
The Kino Lorber Studio Classics 2021 Special Edition of The Long Goodbye (1973)
is widely considered the definitive home video release of Robert Altman’s neo-noir masterpiece. Derived from a new 4K master, this 1080p Blu-ray significantly improves upon previous editions, though it remains a "faithful" rather than "clean" presentation of the film's challenging original cinematography. Video Performance The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
In this film Marlowe is a laid-back, soft, frequently confused and out of sync with reality man who somehow always gets it right - Blu-ray.com
The Kino Lorber Studio Classics special edition Blu-ray of The Long Goodbye
(1973), released on December 7, 2021, features a brand new 4K master and an extensive collection of bonus materials. Audio & Video Specifications Resolution: 1080p High Definition. Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Widescreen). Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. Subtitles: Optional English SDH. New Special Features (2021 Release)
Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas: A new, fact-filled track by the film historian.
David Thompson on Robert Altman: A featurette (approx. 21 mins) exploring the director's career and this film's place within it.
Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: A featurette (approx. 14 mins) on the author’s life and Altman’s adaptation.
Maxim Jakubowski on Hard Boiled Fiction: A discussion on the evolution of the genre and the Marlowe character. Archival Features (Ported from Previous Editions) The Long Goodbye (Special Edition) (Blu-ray) - Kino Lorber
Product Extras : * LIMITED O-CARD SLIPCASE NO LONGER PROMISED FOR NEW ORDERS. KINDLY REFRAIN FROM ASKING. * Brand New 4K Master. * Kino Lorber The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
The 2021 Kino Lorber Studio Classics 1080p Blu-ray of Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye
(1973) features a brand new 4K master. Released on December 7, 2021, this special edition includes a mix of newly commissioned content and legacy archival materials. 2021 Special Edition Extras The release includes the following supplements: The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (Arrow Academy) (United Kingdom)
In this film Marlowe is a laid-back, soft, frequently confused and out of sync with reality man who somehow always gets it right - Blu-ray.com The Long Goodbye Blu-ray
In 2021, Kino Lorber Studio Classics released a definitive 1080p Blu-ray of Robert Altman’s 1973 neo-noir masterpiece, The Long Goodbye. This Special Edition serves as a significant upgrade over previous home video versions, specifically the 2014 Blu-ray, by introducing a brand new 4K master and a robust collection of new and archival extras. A New 4K Restoration for the 1080p Format
The standout feature of this 2021 release is the 4K restoration, which addresses the unique technical challenges of the film's original production. Director Robert Altman and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond famously used a technique called "flashing"—exposing the negative to controlled light before development—to achieve a hazy, muted "old postcard" aesthetic.
Enhanced Visuals: Reviewers from The Movie Isle noted that modern technology finally captures the film’s dream-like visuals without losing fidelity, offering a cleaner grain structure and improved sharpness compared to older, "snowy" transfers.
Audio Quality: The disc features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track, providing clear dialogue and a strong presentation of the protean variations of the theme song by John Williams and Johnny Mercer. Special Features and Extras
The 2021 edition is "stacked" with supplemental material, mixing newly produced content with essential archival pieces. Key Supplements Included The 1080p extras on the 2021 The Long
The release is packed with both new and legacy content, including a detailed audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, featurettes with experts David Thompson and Maxim Jakubowski, and a discussion on Raymond Chandler. Archival extras include the "Rip Van Marlowe" documentary with Altman and Elliott Gould, an interview with cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond on the "flashing" technique, an American Cinematographer article, and various promotional materials like radio and TV spots. Packaging and Verdict The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
In this film Marlowe is a laid-back, soft, frequently confused and out of sync with reality man who somehow always gets it right - Blu-ray.com Long Goodbye, The (Blu-ray Review) - The Digital Bits
The Kino Lorber Studio Classics 2021 Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's 1973 film The Long Goodbye
is a definitive special edition featuring a new 4K restoration from the original interpositive. This release significantly upgrades the visual experience, resolving the "soft focus" and "hazy" look of previous editions into a crystal-clear transfer of 1970s film stock. It also features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. New Supplemental Features
This edition introduced several exclusive extras not found on previous discs:
Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas: A "film class in a box" track where the historian provides a fact-filled comparison between the final film, Leigh Brackett's original script, and Raymond Chandler's novel.
David Thompson on Robert Altman: A 21-minute featurette covering Altman's career from industrial films to his unique interpretation of The Long Goodbye.
Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: A 14-minute overview of the author’s career and Altman’s subversion of his most influential story.
Maxim Jakubowski on Hard-Boiled Fiction: A deep-dive into the history of noir and pulp fiction, discussing why Elliott Gould’s Marlowe may be closer to the literary source than previous portrayals.
Trailers From Hell: A 3-minute segment featuring screenwriter Josh Olson discussing the film's impact. Archival and Bonus Material
The 2021 Blu-ray ports over significant legacy extras from earlier MGM and Kino releases:
Rip Van Marlowe: A 24-minute featurette with Robert Altman and Elliott Gould discussing the concept that Marlowe is a man out of time, applying 1950s ideals to the 1970s.
Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye: A 14-minute technical discussion where the cinematographer explains his "post-flashing" technique used to create the movie's distinctive look.
American Cinematographer 1973 Article: An animated reproduction of the original magazine article detailing the film’s unique photography.
Vintage Promotional Media: Includes two theatrical trailers, five radio spots, and a TV spot.
Collectible Packaging: The release includes a limited edition O-card slipcase and reversible cover art featuring Jack Davis's original theatrical poster artwork on one side. The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
Here’s a review focused on the extras of the The Long Goodbye (1973) 1080p Blu-ray (2021 release):
Title: A Noir Classic Finally Gets the Love It Deserves — But the Extras Steal the Show
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
If you’re upgrading from the old DVD or a bare-bones streaming copy, the 2021 Blu-ray of Altman’s The Long Goodbye is a revelation. The 1080p transfer (sourced from a new restoration) captures the hazy, sun-bleached Los Angeles grit perfectly — grain is intact, colors are natural without being oversaturated, and that dreamlike, smoky cinematography finally has depth.
But what makes this edition essential is the extras package. Here’s the breakdown:
The only downside: No separate booklet or digital copy, and the menu design is utilitarian. Also, the theatrical trailer is in rough shape (but that’s authentic).
Verdict: If you own the 2014 Blu-ray, the new commentary and Zsigmond featurette might still tempt you. If you’ve never owned it, this is the definitive edition. The extras don’t just pad the runtime — they deepen your respect for Altman’s lo-fi masterpiece. Highly recommended for noir completists and Gould fans.
The 2021 Kino Lorber Studio Classics release of The Long Goodbye (1973)
features a new 4K master from an interpositive, significantly improving image quality over previous versions. This special edition Blu-ray, released on December 7, 2021, includes both new supplements and legacy extras. Special Features
The disc contains several in-depth featurettes and analytical commentaries:
New Audio Commentary: Featuring film historian Tim Lucas, who discusses the film's production, its relationship to Raymond Chandler's novel, and technical details.
Rip Van Marlowe (24 min): A legacy featurette with director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould exploring the concept of Marlowe as a 1950s character in a 1970s world.
Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye (14 min): Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond details the "flashing" technique used to create the film’s unique, hazy visual style. Biographical Featurettes:
David Thompson on Robert Altman: An overview of Altman's career and his deconstruction of genres. Title: The Last Goodbye to the 70s: Deconstructing
Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: A look at the author's life and his depiction of Los Angeles.
Maxim Jakubowski on Hard Boiled Fiction: A deep dive into the history of noir and pulp literature. Additional Material:
American Cinematographer 1973 Article: An animated on-screen reproduction of the original technical article.
Trailers from Hell: A segment featuring screenwriter Josh Olson.
Vintage Media: Two theatrical trailers, TV spots, and five radio spots. Technical Specs Resolution: 1080p High Definition.
Audio: English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio with optional English SDH subtitles.
Packaging: Includes reversible cover art featuring original posters and a limited edition O-card slipcase (available with early orders).
This edition is currently available at retailers like Kino Lorber and Amazon. The Long Goodbye (Special Edition) (Blu-ray) - Kino Lorber
A 45-minute documentary produced exclusively for the 2021 Blu-ray. Featuring new interviews with:
This release is definitive for The Long Goodbye on 1080p Blu-ray. The extras provide a complete understanding of the film’s production, style, and legacy. Highly recommended for film noir, 1970s cinema, and Robert Altman enthusiasts.
This package is widely considered the definitive home video release of the film, notable for its new 4K restoration (presented here in 1080p) and a collection of documentaries that analyze Altman’s unique deconstruction of the noir genre.
The 2021 extras finally answer three questions:
The 2021 Blu-ray is considered a "film school in a box" for this specific title. The inclusion of Leigh Brackett's perspective (via archival footage) is the highlight, as it demystifies the script's radical changes from the novel. For fans of 1970s cinema, the visual essay by Ben Sachs provides excellent context on why this version of Marlowe is the definitive "End of the Sixties" character.
The 2021 Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's 1973 film The Long Goodbye
, distributed by Kino Lorber Studio Classics, features a significant upgrade in both picture quality and supplemental content. This "Special Edition" was released on December 7, 2021, and is built around a brand-new 4K restoration from the original 35mm interpositive. 2021 Special Edition Extras
The release includes a mix of newly produced features and archival materials ported over from previous editions:
New Audio Commentary: Featuring film historian and critic Tim Lucas, providing detailed analysis and comparisons between the film, Leigh Brackett's script, and Raymond Chandler's original novel. Exclusive New Featurettes:
David Thompson on Robert Altman: A look at the director's career and his unique approach to this adaptation.
Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: Biographer Tom Williams discusses the author's background and his vision of Los Angeles.
Maxim Jakubowski on Hard-Boiled Fiction: An exploration of the history of the "hard-boiled" and pulp detective genres. Archival Featurettes:
"Rip Van Marlowe": A 24-minute documentary featuring interviews with director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould.
"Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye": Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond explains the "post-flashing" technique used to give the film its signature desaturated, hazy look. Promotional & Vintage Materials:
Trailers From Hell: A segment with screenwriter and podcaster Josh Olson.
American Cinematographer Article: An animated reproduction/text piece of a 1973 article on the film's photography.
Audio/Visual Spots: Two theatrical trailers, a TV spot, and five radio spots. Packaging:
Reversible Art: Features original poster art by Jack Davis on one side.
Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase: Included in the initial print run (availability may now vary). Technical Specifications The Long Goodbye (Special Edition) (Blu-ray) - Kino Lorber
Product Extras : * LIMITED O-CARD SLIPCASE NO LONGER PROMISED FOR NEW ORDERS. KINDLY REFRAIN FROM ASKING. * Brand New 4K Master. * Kino Lorber The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
1. Rip Van Marlowe (2002)
2. Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye (2002)
Originally recorded for an early DVD, this 2021 reissue includes Altman’s legendary commentary. The director is wry, defensive, and hilarious. He explains why he cast Gould (“the only actor who could make Marlowe seem vulnerable”), why he had a gaggle of naked hippie neighbors move in next door, and how he taught a cat to do a five-minute continuous take. Essential listening.
This is a newly recorded commentary track specifically for this release. David Thomson is a respected film historian and the author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film.
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