The Graduate: Special Edition
review by James S.
Rated PG
Running Time: 106 minutes
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine
Ross
Studio: MGM
Directed by Mike Nichols
Retail Price: $29.99
Features: Behind-the Scenes Documentary, Interview
with Dustin Hoffman, Theatrical Trailer
Specs: Widescreen, Dolby Digital Stereo Surround
English, Spanish and French Captions, Chapter Search
This is the story of Ben (Dustin Hoffman), a recent
college graduate. Ben is uncertain of his future, and
during his summer after graduation relaxes and finds
himself. Where he finds himself is in the clutches of Mrs.
Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the wife of his father's business
partner. Ben begins an affair with the older woman. The
clandestine affair is complicated when Elaine Robinson, Mrs.
Robinson's daughter, comes home for summer vacation. Ben
falls in love with the younger Robinson to the chagrin of
the elder Robinson. The love triangle explodes and Ben tries
to win back Elaine.
For a film over thirty years old, it has held up to the
test of time. The print is spectacular. The clarity and
color of the film are worth noting, but the best point is
not the video transfer itself but the camera shots. The
movie has some of the most ingenious camera work ever, near
the level of a Hitchcock masterpiece. The excellent camera
work is captured in widescreen (but not anamorphic
unfortunately) format that has only minor film artifacts.
The sound in The Graduate is accented by the wonderful
soundtrack. Dave Grusin and Paul Simon did the original
score, with many of the songs performed by Simon and
Garfunkel. The music and the voices are presented in clear
Dolby Digital Stereo Surround.
It's interesting to view the original trailer for The
Graduate. From the trailer you can get the entire story of
the film in three short minutes. To get the story behind
the story, the DVD is packaged with a documentary on the
making of the film. You'll hear the insights of writer Buck
Henry and who the producers wanted as the cast (and it
wasn't Hoffman or Bancroft). As a bonus, an interview with
Dustin Hoffman uncovers how he approached the film. With
such a wonderful film, the only thing that is missing is an
audio commentary track.
A landmark film that's been preserved on DVD, The
Graduate is a fine addition to the movie lover's library.
While the DVD lacks an anamorphic transfer, the quality of
the film is excellent. The audio is loaded with classic
songs from Simon and Garfunkel. The extra features are
interesting in their own right and are icing on the cake.
 (4.5/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (3.5/5)
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 (3/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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