The Fisher King (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]

This movie is an absolute gem. The acting, writing, direction, everything is special. And this new Criterion edition does all of it an honorable justice.This is not a 4K remaster. It’s a proper 2K remaster and a fine one at that. I have seen many pathetic attempts at taking older films and “remastering” them to 4K and they look horrible. The images are clean and crisp, the colors are true, scene lighting is enhanced without being washed out, and the soundtrack is perfect. It’s as if it was released today. Here’s some proof… Watch the “cloud breaking” Central Park scene on the earlier, DVD (480p) or even BluRay (1080i/p) version and compare it with this remaster… let’s just say that you really see Robin Williams in a LOT more detail.If you’re a fan of this film, this is a must have edition for your collection and one that can meet the quality expectations of today’s audiences. Well done Criterion, and thank you.

Terry Gilliam's THE FISHER KING is an outstanding seriocomedy from 1991, starring Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, and costarring Mercedes Ruehl, Amanda Plummer, and Michael Jeter. It received much attention when released to theaters back then, and I never read a negative review of it. THE FISHER KING was also nominated for scads of awards, including Oscars, with Mercedes Ruehl deservedly winning Best Supporting Actress. However, it seems that today this excellent film has escaped the attention of many, despite the continuing love for the late Robin Williams and ongoing coolness of Jeff Bridges (also much beloved by many). That's a shame, because I would argue it's one of the best films of 1990s, which saw the release of many great films.My old DVD of THE FISHER KING was just that: old. And although I'd watch the film on a digital TV, it didn't look great. Lo and behold, Criterion came to the rescue with a blu-ray release that nearly made me cry for happiness the first time I watched it. One of my favorite films not only looked great, but came with a nice generous package of extras! See below.EXTRAS:• Audio commentary featuring Terry Gilliam• Interviews with Terry Gilliam, scriptwriter Richard LaGravenese, producer Lynda Obst, Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, and Mercedes Ruehl in two featurettes:—"The Fool and the Wounded King" (30 minutes): About getting the film production into action.—"The Real and the Fantastical" (31 minutes): Focusing on casting and production• "The Tale of the Red Knight" (23 minutes): Focuses on the artists Keith Greco and Vincent Jefferds, who worked on creating the Red Knight of the film• "Jeff's Tale" (12 minutes): Interview with Jeff Bridges about the photographs he took on the set, during filming• Video of Jeff Bridges training as a radio DJ personality• Deleted scenes, with Terry Gilliam commentary• Costume Tests / Trailers / Essay by Bilge Ebiri, a criticWhat is THE FISHER KING about? In part about the fall of a radio shock jock with an ego nearly the size of Manhattan, his kingdom leveled in short order after he meanly ridicules the wrong person on air, during his nightly audience call-ins. The fallout, and instant dissolution of his career, leaves him a drunk, lost and jobless, his life only worth something to his girlfriend (played by Mercedes Ruehl), a colorful character who runs a small mom-and-pop video rental shop, and who somehow—against all better judgment—has fallen deeply in love with him. In part the film is also about a likeable maniac of sorts, a homeless guy (Parry, played by Robin Williams), who becomes instrumental in the shock jock's search for redemption, his own life haunted terribly by the pain of trauma and loss, yet not entirely bereft of hope because, well, there is also a Holy Grail involved in the story.More than worth mentioning are supporting actors Amanda Plummer and Michael Jeter, both outrageously perfect in their roles, with Plummer bringing lovely multishading to a plain officeworker whom Parry sees as the goddess of his existence, and Jeter, as a homeless cabaret singer, performing one of the most gorgeously funny musical numbers ever, a showtune from "Gypsy."THE FISHER KING is really something special, as between all these characters runs the artistic warp-and-weave of compassion and humor, which itself is as transformative as the Holy Grail is supposed to be. Fans of anyone in the cast will likely find this movie a fun but deeply affecting and thought-provoking treat.

Given its very late 80s/early-90s vibe, parts of The Fisher King look rather dated today. That said, the writing is still great and Gilliam's vision for this medieval-inflected tale of redemption and second chances only occasionally veers into excess. The Criterion Collection transfer and extras are excellent as always.

The ultimate version of a truly great film

Movie is OK, but a bit long anc cheesy.

The Fisher King is one of my favorite films of all time and in my opinion is the best Terry Gilliam film. It has all of the magic, mastery and romance that the director never receives credit for in other pictures and still has a lot of complex themes that leaves each viewer discussing it long after it reaches the final frame. Gilliam has always been a gifted artist, he pulls all of these sensibilities off to the highest level and effect that makes him a one of a kind director. After The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen (1988), which was an amazing film but suffered a lot of problems during production, it seemed he would never work again but after reading Richard LaGravenese's beautifully written script, it inspired and even challenged him to try new things. For the first time he was directing a script that he did not write himself, something he vowed never to do in the past, and he had the opportunity to do an astonishing fairy tale but one that was more grounded in reality. Even though he did change the grand central station scene in one aspect, he did not want to get in the way of the script that LaGravenese had written and yet was still able to add his own unique vision to the design of the film, particularly the Red Knight that haunts Parry (beautifully portrayed by Robin Williams). Jeff Bridges is at the top of his game here as well I think, even considering it his best performance.The DVD extras are well produced and put together and well worth the price, maybe beyond so. The 2 part documentary on the making of the film that features new interviews with Gilliam, Bridges, LaGravenese and others is my favorite. I found all of the stories and thoughts that everyone shared were just as inspiring and moving as the film itself, all of whom have touching things to say about the late Robin Williams that it moved me to tears. I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who is an admirer of the film. You won't regret it. I didn't.

WORTH THE UPGRADE TO 4K

I wouldn't be without this movie in my Criterion collection. It's got a bit of everything & it's well acted.

Lovely remastering of Gilliam's comedy - drama which always puts me in mind of K- pax. Loss really is a powerful emotion. The upgrade in quality and the huge amount of extras make this a very worthwhile, if heartbreaking, investment.

A great film that belongs in anyone's Criterion Collection. After Robin Williams passed away Criterion asked voters on the internet which of his films they'd love to see get a Criterion release. The Fisher King, I guess got first. I'm glad, cause the previous bluray release had zero special features. Personally I would hope to see Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, Good Will Hunting & the Big White also get a criterion release.Load with special features, this film looks and sounds beautiful.

All went well !

Great acting by Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges bring to life Terry Gilliam's peculiar foray into the depths of depression and madness culmulating into an unlikely traumatic, and spectacular, healing. Criterion's edition includes an interview with Robin Wiliams on how he loved doing this fantastic movie and what it brought him. Certainly worth it for the extras.