Posted by Great news for Judy Garland fans, and fans of Vincente Minnelli, Cole Porter, and classic MGM musicals! The Pirate is finally getting an HD upgrade and being released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive.
If any film has practically screamed for an HD upgrade, it’s this Technicolor delight. Oddly enough, The Pirate never received the “Ultra Resolution Process” (now simply called HD restoration) as several of Judy’s other films did in the 2000s. This is one that fans have been waiting for, for years! We will finally get to see the fantastic color composition as director Vincente Minnelli intended!
The Warner Archive has announced that the film will be released in the second half of November (2020). Since the Archive is also re-releasing Meet Me In St. Louis and For Me And My Gal on DVD on November 24, 2020, it’s safe to assume that this will also be released on or around that same date. [update] It’s confirmed that the disc will be released on November 24, 2020. CLICK HERE to order!
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on The Pirate here.
Here are the disc details from the Warner Archive:
NEW 2020 1080p HD Restoration from 4K scan of the original nitrate Technicolor negatives
THE PIRATE (1948)
Run Time: 101:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 4×3 FULL FRAME
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: BD-50
Special Features: Commentary by Author/Historian John Fricke, Making-of featurette “THE PIRATE: A MUSICAL TREASURE CHEST”, Vintage M-G-M short “You Can’t Win”, Vintage M-G-M cartoon “Cat Fishin’”, “MACK THE BLACK” musical sequence in HD with stereo audio, Audio-only outtakes, Associate Producer Roger Edens’ guide/rehearsal recordings, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly M-G-M radio promotional interviews, Original Theatrical Trailer (HD).
Judy Garland and Gene Kelly co-star in this dazzling Technicolor musical love story, set in the Caribbean during the early 19th century. The film is a showcase for director Vincente Minnelli’s dynamic use of Technicolor photography. A witty script from Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich and a lively score of original songs by Cole Porter, result in a unique and unconventional entry into the canon of musicals produced at M-G-M by Arthur Freed during the studio’s golden era. Highlights of the film include Kelly and Minnelli’s ground-breaking “Pirate Ballet,” as well as two iterations of Porter’s “Be a Clown” – one featuring Kelly and the magnificent Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold), and the finale performed by Kelly & Garland.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on The Pirate here.
This is great news!! Hope they upgrade the sound, too. And oddly, I just watched FMAMG Sunday, and was hoping this picture would be next on Blu Ray. I like “The Pirate”, but don’t love it (several weak songs and the second half drags a bit). But WOW! This is the third Garland MGM pic to hit Blu Ray this year. Thanks, Scott!
WA also mentioned (in the podcast) “In The Good Old Summertime” and “The Harvey Girls” are currently being worked on- we should see some great releases soon!
THG is my personal fave, and I’m grateful that the DVD looks so great as is. I just wish they would officially restore the cut numbers where they belong (my friend created a DVD for me years ago with “My Intuition” and “March of the Doagies” put back where they BELONG). As for “Summertime”, it’s strictly a holiday treat, so Xmas ’21 is the earliest I’d watch it on Blu Ray, as I doubt it would be released this calander year. Anyway, Scott will let us know when official release dates are announced.
I finally got the chance to see “The Pirate” on Blu Ray last night. All I can say is WOW!!! I had no idea how muted, flat and dull the DVD was until I saw this upgrade. The picture is crystal clear, and the detailed colors (even down to the last extra) are sumptuous. Much improved sound quality, too. Thank you again, Scott!