Decoding the Midnight Cowboy Criterion LaserDisc: A Deep Dive into the Liner Notes
The Criterion Collection's laserdisc release of Midnight Cowboy wasn't just a transfer of a classic film; it was a meticulously curated experience, reflected in its extensive liner notes. These notes served as more than just a synopsis; they provided crucial context, insightful analysis, and a deeper understanding of the film's creation, impact, and lasting legacy. Unfortunately, precise reproductions of those liner notes are not readily available online, and the specifics varied slightly between releases. However, we can reconstruct the likely content and explore the themes they would have covered.
What the Liner Notes Likely Included:
The Criterion laserdisc liner notes for Midnight Cowboy would have likely included several key components:
1. An Essay Exploring the Film's Cultural Significance:
This would have been a central piece, delving into the film's controversial themes—homelessness, hustling, alienation, and the search for belonging in a vast and impersonal city—within the context of late 1960s America. The essay would likely discuss:
- The X-rating controversy: The initial X-rating and its eventual impact on the film's reception and legacy would have been thoroughly analyzed. How did this rating affect its audience and critical reception? What does it say about censorship and societal attitudes at the time?
- John Schlesinger's directorial vision: The notes would have highlighted Schlesinger's unique approach to filmmaking, emphasizing his ability to capture the gritty realism of New York City while simultaneously exploring the characters' emotional vulnerabilities.
- The performances of Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight: The liner notes would likely have detailed the actors' preparation and the impact of their performances on the film's success. The transformation of these two relative unknowns into iconic figures would have been discussed.
- The film's lasting influence on cinema: The notes would have explored how Midnight Cowboy influenced subsequent films, both in its stylistic approach and thematic concerns.
2. Technical Details and the Restoration Process:
A section on the technical aspects of the laserdisc release would have been essential. This would have included information on:
- Image and sound quality: Criterion was known for its dedication to high-quality transfers, so the liner notes would have detailed the restoration process used to achieve the best possible presentation on laserdisc.
- The use of the laserdisc format: The notes may have briefly touched upon the advantages of laserdisc over other home video formats at the time, highlighting its superior picture and sound capabilities.
3. Biographical Information on Key Figures:
The liner notes would have likely provided concise biographical information on key figures involved in the film's creation, including:
- John Schlesinger: A short biography of the director, highlighting his other notable works and contributions to cinema.
- Waldo Salt (screenwriter): A brief biography and exploration of Salt's screenwriting career and his contribution to crafting the film's screenplay.
- The cast and crew: A list of key personnel involved in the production, providing credit where it was due.
4. Production Stills and Behind-the-Scenes Photos:
The laserdisc likely included a photo gallery showcasing production stills, behind-the-scenes photos, and potentially even publicity shots from the film's original release. The liner notes would have provided captions and context for these images.
Why the Liner Notes Were Important:
The Criterion laserdisc release wasn't just a home video; it was a carefully curated experience that aimed to enrich the viewer's understanding of the film. The liner notes played a crucial role in this by providing valuable context and insightful analysis, going beyond a simple plot summary to explore the film's deeper artistic and cultural significance. This dedication to scholarship and critical analysis was a hallmark of the Criterion Collection. Sadly, direct access to the original laserdisc liner notes is limited, leaving us to reconstruct their likely contents based on the Criterion Collection's overall approach to its releases.
