More
- Preamp, Processor or Receiver
- Yamaha TRS-7850 Atmos Receiver
- Other Amp
- Peavy IPR 3000 for subs
- Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
- Panasonic UB820 4K UHD Player
- Front Speakers
- Cheap Thrills Mains
- Center Channel Speaker
- Cheap Thrills Center
- Surround Speakers
- Volt 10 Surrounds
- Surround Back Speakers
- Volt 10 Rear Surrounds
- Rear Height Speakers
- Volt 6 Overheads
- Subwoofers
- 2x Marty subs (full size with SI 18's)
- Video Display Device
- Sony 85 inch X950H FALD TV
Oklahoma
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
1943 was an epic year for films, but also legendary as it was the first time Rodgers and Hammerstein worked together when they collaborated on Oklahoma. It is quite possibly the very definition of the modern musical and without Oklahoma we very well may not have had the run of musicals that we know today and love. Before Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals came along they were basically stage productions with a few songs, but those two men changed everything by having the music BE one of the most instrumental parts of the storytelling, and the inclusion of dance numbers only made their popularity soar to new heights. Over the years there have been countless filmed stage productions and films based on that 1943 musical, but few have every come close to the same popularity as the original production. That is, except for the 1999 version starring Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in all of his baby-faced glory (BEFORE he basically started working out to BECOME Wolverine and the Incredible Hulk all in one).
Many of you may not know it, but Hugh Jackman has enjoyed a very prolific stage career as well as a wildly successful run on the silver screen as well. He’s been in everything from Les Misérables (yes, the stage production, not just the film a few years back), Carousal, The Boy from Oz and A Steady Rain, and done so quite amazingly well I might add. The best, and most prolific, presentation from the muscled Aussie lady killer is luckily from one of the best musicals of all time, Oklahoma. I don’t know whether it’s BECAUSE of the rabid popularity, or because it’s never been out of the hearts and minds of theater goers everywhere, but Oklahoma has never exactly gone out of style and despite the cheesy nature of some of the songs has maintained its legendary status to this day.
The musical itself leaves very little introduction, but the history behind the play is actually more fascinating than the plot itself. The writing is fairly corny, and that may be why the original script was thrashed so badly back in 1931 when it was titled Green Grow the Lilacs. After the abysmal bombing of the first run of that script, it was shelved until Oscar Hammerstein thought he saw the potential in the script, putting it through several different variations till he found something he liked, and roped in Rodgers to compose the music for the undertaking.
Now Laurey has ANOTHER admirer in the form of Jud, a farmhand from over the way and he’s not exactly the STABLE type. More a dark, brutal man who has some issues under that big hat of his, he’s more of a pitiable villain that makes you nervous at the same time. The bidding war between Curly and Jud is more than just playful rivalry and sparks a confrontation later on in the movie that is know amongst theater goes the world over.
While the movie has some corny moments, the music is really what ties the whole thing together, and boy are there some great songs. Curly starts out the film with Jackman belting out “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin” (and has an incredible singing voice), combined with all sorts of gems like “People will say we’re in love”, or “Many a new day”. That’s really the appeal of a musical really. The plot is usually fairly fluffy and light, but the appeal is singing, dancing and some incredible acting if we’re all lucky. Being a stage production shot on film, the 1999 version of Oklahoma doesn’t feel as much as a “movie” like some of the other Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, but it works flawlessly in the context of a live product as seen through the eyes of camera. Jackman is wonderfully charming as Curly, even though his arrogant nature and obvious flaws almost make him as annoying as Jud, while there are some changes that some many not feel as comfortable with from the 1943 rendition. That would come in the form of the dancing that Jackman, Hensley and Gabrielle engage in part way through the movie, as it deviates from the whole “country” feel of the stage play. Although, it’s a beautiful sequence and sort of grows on you the more times you see the film.
Rating:
Not Rated by the MPAA
Video:
Audio:
.
Extras:
• The Making of Oklahoma
Final Score:
Oklahoma is one of those pieces of American history that is as patriotic as Baseball and hotdogs on a Saturday afternoon at the ballpark. It has survived multiple interpretations and is hailed as the start of modern musicals, not to mention the start of the famous collaborations between Rodgers and Hammerstein. This version isn’t AS perfect as the 1955 film that was put out a few years back on the massive Rodgers and Hammerstein Blu-ray boxset, but it is still a highly enjoyable stage production starring none other than Woverine himself (the main reason my wife has seen the DVD so many times that I think she’s pretty much obsessed). The Blu-ray from Shout is a welcome upgrade from previous editions and a worthy addition to any musical lover’s collection. Highly recommended.
.
Technical Specifications:
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Josephina Gabrielle, Maureen Lipman
Directed by: Trevor Nunn
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Lynn Riggs (original script)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 2.0
Studio: Shout Factory
Rated: NR
Runtime: 177 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: May 30th, 2017
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
