More great news! Paramount has announced that they’re finally ready to unleash Roman Polanski‘s finest film on Blu-ray. Chinatown, one of my favourite films of all time and possibly the best and most influential modern noir, makes its HD debut this coming April 3rd, complete with “a new high definition transfer” and a surprisingly robust set of special features that includes a three part documentary and a commentary track by screenwriter Robert Towne and – wait for it – David Fincher?!

I’m not complaining about Fincher’s inclusion in the commentary – if anything, he’ll probably be more willing to dive into the controversial aspects of the work than anyone present during filming – but it seems an odd choice to feature a filmmaker on a commentary track when said filmmaker wasn’t involved in the creation of the film. That said, some of the best commentaries out there are by critics and scholars and not the directors, writers, producers or actors themselves. Anyway, I’m excited about this disc and, if the transfer manages to impress, anticipate it being one of my favourite discs of the year.

From the press release:

“Teeming with murder, corruption, greed and sex, director Roman Polanski’s unforgettable classic CHINATOWN arrives for the first time ever on Blu-ray April 3, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston, the film follows an intricate web of deception as private investigator Jake Gittes (Nicholson) unravels a mystery involving water rights that are critical to the development of Los Angeles, as well as unspeakable family secrets. Written by Academy Award® winner Robert Towne, CHINATOWN was nominated for 11 Oscars® and was named by the AFI as one of the top 25 American films ever made.

With a new high definition transfer, the CHINATOWN Blu-ray sports packaging that features the original theatrical poster and includes a collectible booklet. The disc includes over 2 ½ hours of bonus material such as an illuminating, feature-length commentary by screenwriter Robert Towne and director David Fincher (Zodiac); an in-depth, three-part documentary on the history and impact of the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the continuing efforts to cultivate water resources for the metropolis; an appreciation of the film by prominent filmmakers; a look at the filming; an exploration of the legacy of this cinematic masterpiece; and more.

“

Special Features:

• Commentary with Robert Towne and David Fincher— Towne and Fincher offer unique insights into this classic film. No matter how many times you’ve watched Chinatown, this commentary will open your eyes to a whole new experience.
• Water and Power (HD)— In this three-part documentary, Robert Towne visits sites along the original Los Angeles Aqueduct for the first time. He is informed of the social and environmental impacts and given insight into the major issues around the creation and ongoing operation of the aqueduct.
  • The Aqueduct (HD)— The City of Los Angeles completed the 233-mile gravity-fed aqueduct from the Owens Valley in 1913, under the leadership of a self-taught engineer named William Mulholland. L.A. Department of Water and Power representatives along with Catherine Mulholland, granddaughter of the engineer, discuss the development of the aqueduct and its contribution to the growth of the nation’s second-largest city.
  • The Aftermath (HD)— For decades a large rural community was desiccated under the management of water rights by the City of Los Angeles over a vast area of the Owens Valley. Legal victories beginning in the 1970’s lead to successful reductions in environmental damages and the restoration of some natural habitats. Historians, local ranchers and activists discuss the up-to-date impacts of the aqueduct and struggle to maintain a stable environment and community.
  • The River & Beyond (HD)— Prior to the building of the first aqueduct a century ago Los Angeles relied solely on its own local water supply: the Los Angeles River and its aquifer. Today the river as a water resource is largely forgotten. Currently there are plans to re-develop the river to reduce L.A.’s dependence on imported water, reducing the environmental impact on distant communities, while creating parks and open spaces for the city.
• Chinatown: An Appreciation— Chinatown has been hailed as a perfect film.
  Robert Towne’s cynical labyrinth of secrets and sin, Roman Polanski at the top of his form, Jack Nicholson in all his glory, Faye Dunaway at her sexiest and most mysterious, John Huston as one of the creepiest and most unrepentant villains of all time, the great cinematography, the wonderful score, the bandage on the nose…

  In this featurette, prominent filmmakers express their personal admiration for the film:

  • Steven Soderbergh – Director – Traffic
  • James Newton Howard – Composer – The Dark Knight
  • Kimberly Peirce – Writer/Director – Boys Don’t Cry
  • Roger Deakins – Cinematographer – No Country For Old Men
• Chinatown: The Beginning and the End
• Chinatown: Filming
• Chinatown: The Legacy
• Theatrical Trailer (HD)

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