The Way We Were on Blu-ray

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

Opposites attract in this classic 1973 romance. This new Blu-ray edition is limited to 3,000 units, making it a coveted version and a great gift. The Way We Were is a timeless tale of love filled with passion and grief, and a movie Barbra Streisand calls “a highlight” of her career.

 

The story spans the time between 1937 to the mid 1950s and includes some very turbulent events in history: The Depression, World War II, and the Communist Threat. Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford turn in impeccable performances as Katie and Hubbell, two people from different backgrounds who find love and ultimately discover that their feelings for each other are too strong to keep them together.

 

The Blu-ray contains a wonderful bonus feature about the film, with insights from Barbra Streisand, Director Sydney Pollack, Marvin Hamlisch, and others. This hour-long feature includes some interesting facts about the story and the film. Streisand acknowledged that she understood the character of Katie because they were both very politically active. That was something that drew her to the part. “The political background of this love story sets it apart from other love stories.” She admitted that she and Robert Redford “are naturally opposites,” which rings true for their characters as well.

 

Sydney Pollack “was drawn to it” when discussing the story. A friend of Redford, he knew the actor was perfect for the role of golden boy Hubbell Gardner, but Redford was ambivalent about taking the part. It took a lot of coaxing from Pollack to finally get Redford to commit to the movie. Had he not signed on, the marquee might have read “The Way We Were-  Starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal.” But we all know the outcome, and Pollack says the film contains “towering performances by both actors.”

 

One of the many memorable elements of the film is the Academy Award-winning music and especially the Academy Award- winning title song. Composer Marvin Hamlisch calls the movie “one of the great romantic films of all time,” and he knew the song would play an important part of it. In this bonus feature he plays the original version of the song and discusses the way the music was used to help the story flow through the film. Lyricists Marilyn and Alan Bergman also discuss writing the theme song and the input Streisand provided. She actually requested they change the first word from “daydreams” to “memories.”

 

With all the additional information in the bonus feature, the movie takes on even more substance. It is a beautiful story of love set against some difficult situations, and knowing a little more about the story, the filmmaking, and the actors adds another component for viewers.

 

This special high-definition edition is a treasure for fans of the film.

 

The Way We Were is rated PG.