Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser (1988)

[Scottie]

Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser (1988)

The closest a film camera ever got to enigmatic jazz visionary Thelonious Monk, this intimate portrait sheds light on the corners of a brilliant and complex life. Superbly crafted by Direct Cinema pioneer Charlotte Zwerin from a trove of precious 1960s archival footage, Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser captures the pianist and bebop innovator in rare, unguarded moments on- and offstage, revealing an eccentric and complicated personality. Made with the same freedom of spirit that defines Monk’s artistry, this essential slice of jazz history is a unique glimpse into the quixotic world of one of the twentieth century’s most revolutionary artists.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• Introduction by director Charlotte Zwerin
• New interview with musician T. S. Monk, son of Thelonious Monk
• New program about Zwerin and the making of the film featuring interviews with writer Michael Schulman, assistant editor Bernadine Colish, and Zwerin’s nieces Lisa and Laura Tesone
• Trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: An essay by musician and scholar Paul Grimstad
  
• New cover by Adam Maida

https://www.criterion.com/films/3380...ight-no-chaser

[Righteous Dude]

I can finally retire my DVD copy.

[vladding]

Originally Posted by Righteous Dude

I can finally retire my DVD copy.

Same. What an exciting release. Wonderful.

[disco1979]

I got an early copy of this and it looks lovely.

[DemonPreyer]

What's the release date on this?

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by DemonPreyer

What's the release date on this?

Looks like the same week as Midnight Tuesday June 17th 2025.

Looks like I gotta pre-order this immediately, and Sorcerer too

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

Looks like the same week as Midnight Tuesday June 17th 2025.

Looks like I gotta pre-order this immediately, and Sorcerer too

If you can wait a month, they'll both be half off at Barnes and Noble (and possibly Amazon too)

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

If you can wait a month, they'll both be half off at Barnes and Noble (and possibly Amazon too)

Nah I'm a big jazz music fan the sooner the better for me. Plus I love a ton of Thelonius Monk music the sooner I get to watch this jazz documentary the better.

I've put off buying a number of Criterion titles until a sale, but there's a few exceptions this is one of them.

[Watershipdownisgood]

I have been listening to a lot of Thelonius Monk on Monday, and Tuesday at work it's so so good. As a big Thelonius Monk fan I'm really dang excited to check out this documentary. He's one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. Dexter Gordon is the greatest jazz saxophonist too. Now that I'm thinking about it since Criterion has been putting out jazz films I wonder if they have Bird. Also both this documentary, and Round Midnight were both released on DVD by WB before Criterion put both titles out on Blu-Ray. Just something to note, and think about

So Criterion might also have Bird too considering Criterions love of jazz music, and films I wouldn't put it past them to also have the Charlie Parker biopic.

[JasonMichael]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

Dexter Gordon is the greatest jazz saxophonist too.

No, he's not. He's up there, he's really good, but just because he starred in Tavernier's Round Midnight does not make it so.
You should check out Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Paul Desmond, Joe Henderson, and many more. There are so many excellent jazz musicians!

[Shane Rollins]

This new 4K restoration was created from a 35mm blowup interpositive. The monaural soundtrack was remastered from the original six-track 35mm DME magnetic track.

Can someone explain to me how the film has a mono track when there's a six-track mix in existence?

And if this is somehow six-track mono (never heard of it) instead of six-track stereo (any of the three six-track arrangements that accompanied 70mm prints), can someone explain that to me too?

[JRichardson1228]

Usually hate getting standard blu for stuff that received a 4K restoration, but I'm thinking of grabbing this over the weekend if my B&N still has one. Never seen it, but love me some Monk.

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

Can someone explain to me how the film has a mono track when there's a six-track mix in existence?

And if this is somehow six-track mono (never heard of it) instead of six-track stereo (any of the three six-track arrangements that accompanied 70mm prints), can someone explain that to me too?

A DME track means separate dialogue, music, and effects. Very likely that the music was 4-track, with mono dialogue and effects. Doesn't mean stereo was intended - see how a lot of classic rock was recorded 4-track and even 8-track with a final mono mix intended.

[robtadrian]

Currently in the Top 50 on Amazon's sales. Pretty astounding. Glad it paid off for Criterion.

[joshinminn]

Watched the CC Blu today and loved it. What a quirky film and what an eccentric, troubled, and wildly talented man. I’d recommend it to anyone without reservation, whether you are into jazz or not. Also, I nearly fell out of my chair when I realized that Benicio del Toro’s performance of Fenster in The Usual Suspects was based on Monk, and even quoted a line, “He’ll flip you for real!” from the film!