“Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary Edition” is a film that gets better with age. I came onto watching this film for the first time in over 25-years and realized for the first time about how awesome the casting, the writing and choreography was for the entire film. And the fact that the 30th Anniversary Blu-ray release is jammed with over six hours of special features and comes with a 7.1 lossless soundtrack makes this Blu-ray release worth owning!
TITLE: Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary Edition
FILM RELEASE: 1987
DURATION: 101 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:78:1), English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 Dolby Digital EX Audio, Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
COMPANY: Lionsgate
RATED: PG-13
RELEASE DATE: February 7, 2017
Directed by Emile Ardolino
Written by Eleanor Bergstein
Produced by Linda Gottlieb
Co-Producer: Eleanor Bergstein
Executive Producer: Mitchell Cannold, Steven Reuther
Associate Producer: Doro Bachrach
Music by John Morris
Cinematography by Jeff Jur
Edited by Peter C. Frank
Casting by Bonnie Timmermann
Production Design by David Chapman
Art Direction by Mark Haack, Stephen J. Lineweaver
Set Decoration by Clay A. Griffith
Costume Design by Hilary Rosenfield
Starring:
Jennifer Grey as Baby Houseman
Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle
Jerry Orbach as Jake Houseman
Cynthia Rhodes as Penny Johnson
Jack Weston as Max Kellerman
Jane Brucker as Lisa Houseman
Kelly Bishop as Marjorie houseman
Lonny Price as Neil Kellerman
Max Cantor as Robbie Gould
Charlie “Honi” Coles as Tito Suarez
Neal Jones as Billy Kostecki
In the summer of 1963, innocent 17-year-old Baby (Jennifer Grey) vacations with her parents at a Catskills resort. One evening, she is drawn to the staff quarters by stirring music, and there she meets Johnny (Patrick Swayze), the hotel dance instructor, who is as experienced as Baby is naive. She soon becomes Johnny’s pupil in dance and love.
In 1987, a low-budget film titled “Dirty Dancing” directed by Emile Ardolino (“Sister Act”, “Three Men and a Little Lady”, “Chances Are”) and a screenplay written by Eleanor Bergstein (“It’s My Turn”, “Let it Be Me”) would become a massive box office hit earning over $214 million worldwie.
The film would catapult the careers of unknown actors Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey (both starred in the 1984 film, “Red Dawn”) and “Dirty Dancing” would be the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video and its soundtrack would generate two multi-platinum albums and multiple singles with “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” winning an Academy Award for “Best Original Song” and a Grammy for “Best Duet”.
And with the 30th Anniversary of “Dirty Dancing”, Lionsgate will be releasing a 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition and normal Blu-ray release.
“Dirty Dancing” is set during the summer of 1963 and revolves around the Houseman family visiting the Kellerman resort in the Catskill Mountains.
Frances “Baby” Houseman (portrayed by Jennifer Grey) is a 17-year-old high school graduate who plans to attend the Mount Holyoke College to study economics in underdeveloped countries and then enter the Peace Corps.
Baby’s father, Jake (portrayed by Jerry Orbach) is a doctor and friend of Max Kellerman (portrayed by Jack Weston), the resort proprietor.
Bored at the resort, Baby meets Max’s grandson Neil (portrayed by Lonny Price) and immediately she is becomes smitten with the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle (portrayed by Patrick Swayze).
Johnny is from the other side of the tracks. He is the leader of the working-class entertainment staff and is often dancing with his dance partner, Penny Johnson (portrayed by Cynthia Rhodes).
When Johnny’s cousin Billy needs to deliver watermelons to the the staff quarters, Baby volunteers and she watches Johnny and Penny doing a dance that she has never seen before, “dirty dancing”.
When Penny finds out that she is pregnant by Robbie Gould (portrayed by Max Cantor), who is a womanizing waiter and is cheating on her and dating Baby’s older sister, Lisa (portrayed by Jane Brucker) and other female guests, Penny wants to get an abortion but doesn’t have the money.
for the time being, Johnny needs a new female partner as another nearby resort is having a performance week. So, Baby volunteers.
But will Baby learn how to learn how to dance and learn the “dirty dancing” moves along with Johnny? And what happens when these two get closer to each other?
VIDEO:
“Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 aspect ratio). For a 30-year-old film, it’s important to remind everyone that they shouldn’t expect the best HD presentation for an older film, especially for ’80s films as it seems there are quite a number of films that have received a good dose of DNR (digital noise reduction). The good news is that “Dirty Dancing” retains its grain structure and the film looks very good in HD. An improvement for those who love the film and own it on DVD, you’ll definitely want to upgrade.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary Edition” is presented in English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English 5.1 Dolby Digital EX Auio. Dialogue and musical score is crystal clear. With the 7.1 lossless soundtrack, great use of music and ambiance through the surround channels. But I absolutely applaud Lionsgate for including a 7.1 soundtrack on this Blu-ray release.
Subtitles are in English, English SDH and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary” comes with the following special features:
- Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary with writer/co-producer Eleanor Bergstein
- Audio commentary – Featuring audio commentary with Kenny Ortega, Miranda Garrson, Jeff Jur, Hilary Rosenfeld and David Chapman.
- Happy Birthday, Dirty Dancing – (29:17) Celebrities and those in the entertainment industry discuss the 30th anniversary of “Dirty Dancing”.
- Patrick Swayze: In His Own Words – (12:52) Patrick Swayze talks about dancing, performing and working on the film.
- Eleanor Bergstein – Thoughts on a Lifetime of Dirty Dancing – (6:40) Eleanor Bergstein discusses her memories of the filming of “Dirty Dancing” and its enduring popularity.
- Patrick Swayze Uncut – (13:22) From the last interview with Patrick Swayze about “Dirty Dancing” before his death.
- Dirty Dancing: The Phenomenon – (13:44) The popularity of “Dirty Dancing” and how well the film did for its premiere and how a low-budget film became a phenomenon.
- The Rhythm of the Dancing – (4:08) The cast discusses the soundtrack for the film. Patrick Swayze discusses writing and doing the music for “She’s Like the Wind” and how it got into the movie and more.
- Hungry Eyes Music Video – Featuring Eric Carmen’s music video.
- She’s Like the Wind Music Video – Featuring Patrick Swayze’s music video.
- (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life Music Video – Featuring Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes music video.
- Cast Interviews: Jennifer Grey – (11:14) Interview with actress Jennifer Grey.
- Cast Interviews: Eleanor Bergstein – (18:35) Interview with writer/co-producer Eleanor Bergstein.
- Cast Interviews: Miranda Garrison – (16:12) Interview with assistant choreographer Miranda Garrison (who also played the role of Vivian).
- Cast Interviews: Kenny Ortega – (15:23) Interview with choreographer Kenny Ortega.
- Deleted Scenes – Featuring eleven deleted scenes.
- Extended Scenes – Featuring seven extended scenes.
- Alternate Scenes – Featuring three alternate scenes.
- Jennifer Grey Screen Test comparisons – Featuring two screen test comparisons: Baby Blackmails Lista and Baby Confronts Dad + Extended Scenes
- Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey Screen Test Montage – (1:10) Dirty Dancing test montage with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
- Outtakes – (:37) Outtakes from “Dirty Dancing”.
EXTRAS:
“Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary Edition” comes with a DVD version of the film and an UltraViolet Digital HD code.
I don’t think it’s necessary to discuss how much a phenomenon “Dirty Dancing” was back in the ’80s. Popular film, popular musical soundtrack and a film that is an excellent case of a film that didn’t require much money to create, nor did it need all-star talent.
If anything, director Emile Ardolino and writer Eleanor Bergstein were able to create a film that resonates strongly, emotionally, visually with the audience. But also a film that has people wanting to get up and dance and sing a long to its musical soundtrack.
And the casting of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey was absolutely perfect!
This is an example of movie magic where everything came together and now, “Dirty Dancing” is considered a classic.
And now, here we are 30-years later and I’m watching the film for the first time probably over 25-years.
I was only a young teen but my memories of the film are easy to remember. Watching the film over and over as it was shown on cable, hearing the music play over and over on the radio but most of all, remembering as a teenager and seeing two of my favorite characters from “Red Dawn” appearing together in another film.
And to see how their careers would blossom after this film finished its run. Patrick Swayze became a household name and he would return in two other hit films “Ghost” (1990) and “Point Break” (1991), Jennifer Grey would take on more TV films and would appear on television series, while Broadway legend Jerry Orbach would become a familiar face on the drama show “Law & Order”.
If anything, this film would become part of that ’80s allure. The film was bold for its time, while today, the type of dirty dancing has evolved for today’s modern generation. Sexy dancing doesn’t have the same mystique now as it did back in the ’80s.
And last but not least, there have been several times when I rewatch an ’80s film and question myself of why did I like it then but didn’t like it now. “Dirty Dancing” was a film (and its musical soundtrack) that became too much overkill and I literally strayed away from watching the film again until now.
Watching “Dirty Dancing” again 30-years later, I felt I appreciated the film so much more now, than I did as a teenager. The attention the film had towards choreography and even the small moments featuring Baby dancing by herself and later with Johnny, seeing her improve as a dancer but also seeing this undeniable chemistry between the two actors onscreen.
The 30th Anniversary Blu-ray release comes with a wonderful limited edition set but this normal version that I’m reviewing is no slouch as it features over six hours of extras. I was impressed by the number of special features included on the 30th Anniversary Blu-ray release and found the commentary and features to be quite entertaining.
Overall, “Dirty Dancing: 30th Anniversary Edition” is a film that gets better with age. I came onto watching this film for the first time in over 25-years and realized for the first time about how awesome the casting, the writing and choreography was for the entire film. And the fact that the 30th Anniversary Blu-ray release is jammed with over six hours of special features and comes with a 7.1 lossless soundtrack makes this Blu-ray release worth owning!
Recommended!
