Upon its initial release, The Long Goodbye baffled audiences. Altman’s decision to have Marlowe mumble, repeat the phrase “It’s okay with me,” and drive a vintage car in a modern world was seen as a betrayal of Chandler’s hero. The original cut was butchered by United Artists for television prints, and VHS copies were pan-and-scanned nightmares. Even early DVDs offered little more than a trailer.
The 2021 1080p Blu-ray changed the conversation entirely, thanks to a meticulous 4K restoration sourced from the original 35mm camera negative. But the extras are where this release truly cements its legacy.
In the pantheon of 1970s American cinema, few films are as elusive, cool, and quietly revolutionary as Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye. Based on Raymond Chandler’s classic novel, the film famously transplants detective Philip Marlowe (played with shaggy-dog perfection by Elliott Gould) from the 1940s into the hedonistic, sun-drenched chaos of 1973 Los Angeles. For decades, home video releases ranged from mediocre to outright disastrous. That all changed in 2021 when Kino Lorber (in the US) and Arrow Video (in the UK) released definitive 1080p Blu-ray editions. But for collectors and cinephiles, the headline isn’t just the picture quality—it’s the extras.
This article dives deep into why the The Long Goodbye 1973 extras 1080p Blu-ray 2021 release is the ultimate way to experience Altman’s masterpiece.
Previously thought lost, these include:
The 2021 Blu-ray extras succeed in painting a complete picture of a film that was initially critically divisive but is now revered as a classic.
Presentation:
The keyword for this release isn’t just “video quality”—it’s extras. Both the Kino Lorber and Arrow Video editions (region-dependent) pack hours of material. Here is a detailed breakdown:
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. the long goodbye 1973 extras 1080p bluray 2021
Final Rating of Extras Package: 9/10
The 2021 Blu-ray release of The Long Goodbye (1973) Kino Lorber Studio Classics
is a notable upgrade for fans of Robert Altman’s revisionist noir. Sourced from a brand new 4K restoration
, this 1080p edition significantly improves on previous transfers by better managing the film’s difficult, hazy photography—a result of cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond’s "post-flashing" technique—offering richer colors and more refined grain structure Blu-ray.com Special Features & Extras
This "Special Edition" combines archival materials with several newly produced supplements: New Audio Commentary : Featuring film historian
, providing deep context on the production and Altman’s unique style. Rip Van Marlowe (24 mins)
: An archival featurette with director Robert Altman and star Elliott Gould discussing their unconventional take on Philip Marlowe. Technical Deep Dives Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye : A discussion on the film’s distinctive visual look. American Cinematographer 1973 Article
: An animated reproduction of the vintage industry article detailing the film’s lighting and photography. New Critical Featurettes David Thompson on Robert Altman Upon its initial release, The Long Goodbye baffled
: Reflections on the director's career and this specific film. Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler
: Biographer Tom Williams discusses the original author’s life and vision of L.A.. Maxim Jakubowski on Hard-Boiled Fiction : A deep dive into the history of the noir genre. Promotional Material : Includes a Trailers from Hell
segment with Josh Olson, five radio spots, a TV spot, and two theatrical trailers. Cinema Retro Physical Specs The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (Arrow Academy) (United Kingdom)
Kino Lorber Studio Classics Blu-ray release of The Long Goodbye (1973), which features a new 4K restoration , includes several detailed special features. One of the standout features on this disc is: "Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes The Long Goodbye"
: A roughly 14-minute featurette where the legendary cinematographer discusses his technical approach to the film. He provides a deep dive into the "post-flashing" technique he used to achieve the movie's unique, desaturated, and hazy 1970s visual style by exposing the film negative to a small amount of light before development. The Digital Bits Other Major Extras on the 2021 Release: THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) – Blu-Ray Review - ZekeFilm
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.
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 Presentation:
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.
Kino Lorber Studio Classics Special Edition The Long Goodbye (1973) , released in December 2021, features a brand-new 4K restoration
that significantly improves upon previous home video transfers. This 1080p Blu-ray includes a comprehensive set of legacy and newly produced bonus materials that explore the film’s unique "flashed" visual style and its deconstruction of the hard-boiled detective genre. Special Features and Extras
The 2021 release is packed with featurettes and commentaries that provide deep context for Robert Altman's revisionist noir: The Movie Isle 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. * kinolorber.com The Long Goodbye Blu-ray (4K Restoration)
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.