Salesman Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
Four relentless door-to-door salesmen deal with constant rejection, homesickness, and inevitable burnout as they go across the country selling very expensive bibles to low-income Catholic families.
For more about Salesman and the Salesman Blu-ray release, see Salesman Blu-ray Review published by Brian Orndorf on April 19, 2020 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.5 out of 5.
Working to bring a special immediacy to the world of documentaries, Albert and David Maysles (along with Charlotte Zwerin) launch their new wave of
"direct cinema" with 1969's "Salesman." Instead of swinging for the fences with a big topic to explore, looking to rattle the world with importance, the
helmers decide to explore different side of capitalism with the picture, which traces the labor of four bible salesman, with the group sent out into the
world to provide high-pressure techniques to poor people to purchase an expensive book they don't need. "Salesman" is a tale of survival in many
ways, and it's a crime story in others, with the Maysles refusing to do anything but document the moments they share with the subjects, highlighting
their exploits, leaving ultimate judgement of character for the viewer to decide. As an early form of Maysles craftsmanship, the feature is an incredible
cinematic document, and a vivid time capsule of the hustler's life in the 1960s, with these predators nervously toying with their prey. It's also a wildly
uncomfortable movie to watch, but that seems to be the point, as the production doesn't sugarcoat anything about the men, who live for the sale, on
an endless quest for the almighty dollar.
The year is 1967, with Paul "The Badger" Brennen, Charles "The Gipper" McDevitt, James "The Rabbit" Baker, and Raymond "The Bull" Martos
working for the Mid-America Bible Company, based out of Chicago. They're family men looking to provide for their loved ones, entering select New
England and Florida communities to sell a special $49.99 bible to those who've innocently handed contact information to their local Catholic church.
The foursome are average males reaching middle-age, and the more sales they make, the better their lives promise to be, inspiring them to embark
on pressure tactics to acquire down payments, using an arsenal of rehearsed techniques to chisel through defenses and denials, with the hope for a
future fortune driving them from house to house.
We first meet the men in New England during a frigid winter month, and while the cold is irritable, it doesn't slow the salesman, as the documentary
dives into their professional behavior. They enter numerous households, meeting all sorts of homemakers and spouses who make a valiant attempt
to be kind to the strangers, leaving them open to the travelers, with Paul emerging as the lead character in "Salesman." It's certainly not easy to
watch the men work over a prospective client, searching for a way to connect with the customer, with kindness and conversation soon transforming
into a focused push to put a gaudy bible in the hands of those unable to pay for the prize, urging them to agree to a payment plan or a "Catholic
honor plan."
"Salesman" highlights community tours, but there's activity inside hotel rooms, where Paul, Charles, James, and Raymond gather to trade war
stories and smoke endless cigarettes, prepping for a return to the grind. The picture surveys the salesman in their raw state, feeling a little Catholic
guilt and family duty, keeping them on task. We learn about rehearsed sales pitches and even visit a conference in Chicago, which resembles a
prequel to "Glengarry Glen Ross," with the subjects urged to stick to the "leads" and close all possible sales, with their boss a master of his horrible,
horrible craft.
Working with a "New, restored 4K digital transfer," "Salesman" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation. The
B&W, 16mm production delivers film-like grain, which is heavy but managed well, while detail comes through satisfactorily, examining facial surfaces
and household interiors, permitting a full read of decoration, and hotel visits are just as open for exploration. Clothing is fibrous, highlighting thicker
suits and hats. Locations are dimensional, making for interesting neighborhood tours. Delineation preserves frame information, and whites are clean
and crisp. Source is in excellent shape.
The 1.0 LPCM sound mix doesn't reach very far, but footage with the men in action comes through with comfortable clarity, examining all types of
accents and conversations without disruption. Atmospherics are present as well, with the action heading into punishing winter weather and large
gatherings, keeping group activity understood.
Booklet (12 pages) features an essay by Michael Chaiken and notes on the transfer.
Commentary features co-directors Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin.
Interview (31:20, SD) is a 1968 television conversation with Albert and David Maysles, who join host Jack Kroll for a
spirited exploration of
"Salesman." Kroll kicks things off by trying to nail down the exact meaning of "direct cinema," allowing the Maysles to explain their directorial
philosophy, and they also describe the story to the best of their abilities. Biographical touches from the helmers are identified, as bits and pieces of
the Maysles are present in the documentary, and Kroll works to prompt the partners to deconstruct scenes, hoping to understand the filmmaking
method. Personal perspectives on "Salesman" are shared, along with ideas on audience interpretation and creative intent, with everyone aware of a
possible "depression" while watching the feature. Debates on morality and the presence of the Maysles during the shoot liven up the talk, with the
directors assessing their presence during the making of the effort, which invites manipulation.
"Globesman" (24:52, HD) is a 2016 episode of "Documentary Now," where stars Bill Hader and Fred Armisen send-up
"Salesman," with the hustlers
offering globes to small town marks, not bibles.
Interview (9:27, HD) with Bill Hader offers the origin story for "Documentary Now," with the actor/director identifying
himself has the curator of the
parodies, giving love to sometimes obscure films. Hader shares the effort to hit the right tone for the show, including a brainstorm session to use
globes for the "Globesman" episode, also spotlighting technical achievements of the production, which goes out of its way to replicate the visuals of
the source material. The interviewee delivers a thoughtful Maysles appreciation, marveling over their creative choices, and Hader discusses the power
of intimacy, which makes their documentaries so special.
"Weekend Edition" (11:30) is an audio-only clip of the NPR program, with the 2000 episode deliver a profile of James "The
Rabbit" Baker," who, at this
point, is retired from salesman work. Baker shares how he originally acquired the book-selling position with the Mid-America Bible Company, also
going into the ways of his techniques, battling customers over details, always aiming to perfect the sale. Baker's son, Jimmy, joins the conversation,
sharing his memories of the "Salesman" time period. Baker returns to reveal his post-movie life.
The Maysles reach a very stressful place with "Salesman" (the Blu-ray package should come with a towel and soap, for a post-screening shower) as the
documentary depicts a life where dishonesty is considered endurance, watching as these trained men devour customers, urging them to spend money
they either don't have or want to keep. It's ugly but fascinating, with the film capturing unfiltered behavior and a borderline criminal situation. The
Maysles don't demand sympathy for these men, with a few of them crossing major moral boundaries during their mission. The directors simply want to
know how these salesmen endure, capturing their inner drive and concentration on a plush life that will never be within their grasp.
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The Criterion Collection has announced that it will add six new titles to its Blu-ray catalog in March. They are: The Cranes Are Flying (1957), Leave Her to Heaven (1945), Bamboozled (2000), Salesman (1968), Show Boat (1936), and The Prince of Tides (1991).
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