This archived featurette features interviews with director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould. They discuss the approach to the character, the intentional deconstruction of the noir detective archetype, and the challenges of filming on location in California. 3. "Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye"
The 2021 Special Edition of The Long Goodbye (1973)
: An animated reproduction of the original magazine article detailing the film’s unique photography.
A comprehensive retrospective piece featuring film critic and historian David Thompson. This supplement places The Long Goodbye accurately within the context of Altman's golden 1970s run (nestled between M*A*S*H , McCabe & Mrs. Miller , and Nashville ). Thompson excellently unpacks how the film acts as a critique of American myth-making and the Hollywood studio system itself. 4. "The Long Goodbye" Trio: Evaluating the Score the long goodbye 1973 extras 1080p bluray 2021
The initial pressing of the disc also included a and Reversible Art , offering alternate cover artwork for collectors.
Altman famously referred to his version of private eye Philip Marlowe as "Rip Van Marlowe"—a man who had woken from a decades-long sleep into the cynical, post-60s landscape of Los Angeles. Instead of Humphrey Bogart's tough, honorable detective, Altman cast Elliott Gould as a disheveled, mumbling, and perpetually confused Marlowe who lives in a world of naked yoga practitioners, gourmet cats, and overlapping, naturalistic dialogue. The film was a commercial disappointment, but over the years, it grew in stature, celebrated for its offbeat mood, brilliant jazz score by a young John Williams, and an unforgettable, controversial ending that subverts the entire moral code of the noir genre.
Robert Altman’s 1973 masterpiece The Long Goodbye remains a defining film of the New Hollywood era, a cynical yet beautiful subversion of the detective genre. In 2021, Kino Lorber Studio Classics released a definitive Special Edition Blu-ray (1080p) that finally did justice to the film's reputation, offering a 4K restoration and a substantial, newly curated collection of extras. "Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye" The 2021
The centerpiece of the Kino Lorber Special Edition is its high-definition presentation sourced from a . For years, home video versions of The Long Goodbye struggled to properly replicate the film's highly experimental look. Director Robert Altman and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond purposefully "flashed" (pre-exposed) the film stock to create a hazy, desaturated, and smoky visual palette.
Released in 2021 by , the 1080p Blu-ray release of Robert Altman’s " The Long Goodbye" (1973) is a definitive package for fans of neo-noir. Featuring a stunning 4K restoration , this release brings the smoky, hazy Los Angeles atmosphere to life, accompanied by a curated selection of bonus features that delve into the film's unique production history. The 2021 Kino Lorber 1080p Blu-ray Transfer
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. Miller , and Nashville )
An archival interview featurette featuring Elliott Gould and Robert Altman. Gould discusses how he channeled a "Rip Van Winkle" energy into Marlowe—waking up twenty years too late—while Altman explains his philosophy of subverting the detective genre.
: Audio commentaries, possibly featuring film historians, critics, or the people directly involved in the film's creation, providing analysis and background information.