Love Story (1970) (Paramount Presents) [Blu-Ray]

Director: Arthur Hiller

Cast: Ali MacGraw, Ryan O’Neal, John Marley

Release Date: February 9, 2021

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Disc Rating: 7.5/10

Synopsis:

Newly restored from a 4K film transfer for its 50th Anniversary, LOVE STORY, one of the most romantic movies of all time is, still as impactful as ever. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and based on Erich Segal’s bestselling novel that defined a generation, it’s a timeless, unmatched tale from the heart. Harvard students Oliver (Ryan O’Neal) and Jennifer (Ali MacGraw) come from opposite backgrounds, but they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and begins to build their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jennifer face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure.

Please Note: Paramount Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Post. The opinions I share are my own.

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You can also check out our reviews for the other releases in the ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray line by clicking on each title below!

Paramount Presents #1: Fatal Attraction (1987) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #2: King Creole (1958) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #3: To Catch A Thief (1955) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #4: Flashdance (1983) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #5: Days Of Thunder (1990) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #6: Pretty In Pink (1986) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #7: Airplane! (1980) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #8: Ghost (1990) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #9: Roman Holiday (1953) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #10: The Haunting (1999) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #11: The Golden Child (1986) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #12: Trading Places (1983) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #13: The Court Jester (1956) (Blu-ray Review)

Paramount Presents #14: Elizabethtown (2005) (Blu-ray Review)

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The romantic film classic ‘Love Story’ follows two young lovers from opposite worlds, still in college and trying to figure out their plan for the future. Their lives are thrown for a handful of twists and turns when they fall head over heels for each other, get married and must tackle everyday life far earlier than anticipated while struggling to make ends meet after their choices upset the man’s rich father. Fortunately, their connection and love keeps them pushing along, but some unforeseen complications will test everything. Originally released in 1970, ‘Love Story’ set the box office afire, the film was directed by Arthur Hiller from a screenplay by Erich Segal (who curiously also wrote the novel which was penned after the screenplay yet released before the film in a clever move by the studio to garner some extra attention for the movie) and stars Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw.

The fan-favorite 1970 romantic drama ‘Love Story’ returns home on Blu-ray newly remastered as the fifteenth installment in Paramount’s ‘Paramount Presents’ limited edition, numbered line of Blu-ray releases which offers various classics from the studio’s expansive vault over the decades, with each sporting new 4K film transfers, along with collectible packaging and bonus content. It’s certainly no surprise to see ‘Love Story’ given the ‘Paramount Presents’ treatment considering it’s one of the most popular love story films in history and one many fans consider the greatest of the bunch (something I wouldn’t entirely agree with as a newcomer to the film, but that certainly shouldn’t deter the film’s dedicated fans) and the new Blu-ray release brings the beloved favorite back home on Blu-ray sporting a magnificent new high definition video presentation newly restored from a 4K film transfer for its 50^th Anniversary, combined with a highly capable lossless soundtrack, collectible packaging and a collection of bonus content both new and old. Longtime fans of this favorite will definitely want to consider picking up a copy of the new ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray release which brings this classic home in truly impressive quality, especially for a fifty year old film; yet another wonderful surprise from Paramount Home Entertainment who only continues to impress with their Blu-ray releases in this stellar lineup.

Overall, the new ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray release of the 1970 classic ‘Love Story’ brings the film back to Blu-ray with a marvelous new high definition video presentation newly restored from a 4K film transfer to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary, paired with a more than adequate multichannel soundtrack (as well as the option to view the film with a restored Mono soundtrack) and some decent extras new and old, plus of course the collectible packaging featured on all of the ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray releases. I’ll admit I wasn’t entirely blown away by this well-loved masterpiece which I previously hadn’t had the pleasure of, yet I can still say with plenty of confidence that fans will almost surely be thrilled with this new Blu-ray release of ‘Love Story’ and it’s highly recommended for anyone already considering a purchase.

VIDEO:

The ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray release of ‘Love Story’ features a full 1080p High Definition presentation of the film with its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio, from a new 4K film transfer for its 50^th anniversary. This newly remastered video presentation looks outstanding altogether and delivers a smooth, sharp and beautifully detailed presentation from start to finish that’s richly layered with grain and other welcome artifacts that represent its film source, and never suffering from any notable issues or problems to be uncovered along its duration. It holds up beautifully every step of the way and never allows anything occurring onscreen to become negatively affected, even during the fast moving or darker lit sequences throughout. Overall, this is a magnificent high definition video presentation from Paramount that should easily thrill fans of this classic romantic drama.

AUDIO:

The Blu-ray release features a 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack (in addition to a Restored Mono Soundtrack option). The multichannel soundtrack option provides a clean, crisp and smooth audio presentation throughout that makes a nice compliment to the tale. It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that the audio presentation isn’t overloaded with surround effects, although it does take advantage of all five available channels in order to immerse the viewer within the music and some nature elements along with more, while always making certain that any dialogue or other audio content that might be occurring simultaneously never becomes distorted or rendered inaudible. Overall, this is a highly capable 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack that holds up nicely in every way required of it and should not disappoint.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray release of ‘Love Story’ features the standard collectible packaging featured on each of the limited edition ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray releases, including a slipcase that opens up to feature a large version of the original theatrical poster, plus photos on inside slip of the interior Blu-ray case (check out the beauty shot of the artwork from the studio included at the bottom of the review for a look inside). The disc itself also offers a few notable extras including an ‘Audio Commentary with Director Arthur Hiller’, along with an optional ‘TCM Introduction by Ben Mankiewicz’ (running approximately 3 minutes in length). Also included on the release is the new Featurette ‘Filmmaker Focus: Leonard Maltin on Love Story’ (running approximately 6 minutes), plus the archival Featurette ‘Love Story: A Classic Remembered’ (approximately 15 minutes). The film’s ‘Theatrical Trailer’ (3 minutes) is also included.

*Please note that the above images are taken from the Blu-Ray and resized. They will additionally suffer quality loss as a result of .jpg compression. Larger versions of each image can be viewed by clicking on the image. All images and content included on this Blu-Ray release are the property of their respective owners.

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Disc Rating: 7.5/10

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The Romantic Classic ‘Love Story’ is Now Available to Own on Blu-ray; Newly Remastered as part of the ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray line from Paramount Home Entertainment

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