Overview: A jazz saxophonist and a singer fall in love post-WWII, but fame and ambition strain their romance in this stylized 1940s musical drama.

Directed by Martin Scorsese, New York, New York is a bold and stylized musical drama set in the euphoric aftermath of World War II, blending classic Hollywood spectacle with modern emotional realism. The film follows the volatile relationship between Jimmy Doyle, a fiercely independent jazz saxophonist played by Robert De Niro, and Francine Evans, an ambitious and immensely talented singer portrayed by Liza Minnelli.

Against the vibrant, meticulously recreated backdrop of 1940’s New York, the two artists rise through the competitive world of show business, navigating the intoxicating highs of success and the painful strains of personal ambition. Their romance is marked by intense chemistry as well as deep conflict, with clashing personalities and creative differences threatening to unravel both their relationship and their careers.

Scorsese’s approach pays homage to the grand tradition of MGM musicals while subverting expectations through a more grounded and psychologically complex narrative. Lavish musical sequences are juxtaposed with raw, improvisational performances, resulting in a film that is both a love letter to classic cinema and a meditation on the cost of artistic pursuit. The iconic title song, later popularized by Frank Sinatra, remains one of the most enduring musical standards associated with the film.

This collector’s edition presents the expanded cut of New York, New York newly restored from a 16-bit 4K scan of the original camera negative, showcased in 2160p Ultra HD with HDR in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The release features both DTS-HD 5.1 surround and LPCM 2.0 stereo audio options, along with optional English subtitles.

The extensive bonus material includes an introduction by Martin Scorsese and a full-length audio commentary with Scorsese and critic Carrie Rickey. The accompanying Blu-ray disc offers the international version of the film, along with in-depth documentaries such as The New York, New York Stories (Parts One and Two), a featurette focusing on Liza Minnelli’s performance, alternate takes and deleted scenes, and a cinematography-focused commentary by László Kovács.

Additional materials include a photo gallery, theatrical teaser and trailer, and reversible artwork, making this a definitive edition of one of Scorsese’s most ambitious and visually distinctive works.

4K UHD Blu-ray Verdict: V-J Day in 1945, saxophonist Jimmy Doyle (Robert De Niro) is mercilessly pestering girls for phone numbers. He eventually spots Francine Evans (Liza Minnelli) sat on her own and so he begins working on getting her number, but she refuses.

After an eventful night, the two end up sharing a cab, and Francine ends up joining Jimmy at his saxophone audition. She also begins to sing, and the two and snapped up as a double act. And so begins a journey through the glitzy heights of 1940’s and 50’s showbiz, as the two fall in and out of love and experience the highs and lows of the business.

Martin Scorsese’s epic homage to the musicals of the 1950’s was originally cut down from four and a half hours to just over two hours for its cinematic release, only to be panned by critics. It was then re-released years later with 20 minutes of footage restored and to critical acclaim. The section that was restored was the musical number that showed a film-within-the-film called Happy Endings, that Minnelli’s character stars in.

Much like the long ballet sequence in The Red Shoes (clearly an influence here - one of De Niro’s alias’s is M. Powell), it’s a dazzling twenty minutes that looks less like a homage and more like a scene taken directly from an MGM musical. Mr. Scorsese clearly knows his cinema.

Yet when the film is not pleasing the eyes with the musical numbers and sweeping cinematography, we are forced to sit through the breakdown of a poisonous marriage between two generally unlikeable characters. Jimmy and Francine are both fiercely career-driven, and the film shows how damaging this can be, but De Niro’s egotistical musician is virtually the same character that was developed better in the likes of Mean Streets and Raging Bull. Minnelli, an actress/singer I’ve always failed to see the appeal in, is just not good enough to breathe life into her already thinly-realized character, sorry.

However, there is much to admire. Nobody can capture the spirit of the old films like Scorsese can, and he goes some way to homage the likes of Singin’ In The Rain and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The sets, cinematography, camera movements and every else in the technical sense are excellent. It’s only the story that is lacking. It seems to be determined to be labelled an epic, but the 160+ minute running time does not have enough going for it to hold the attention that long; in my humble overall opinion. [W.B.]

Bonus Features:
2025 4K Scan and Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the Expanded Cut of film presented in 2160p in its original 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio in HDR
Introduction by Martin Scorsese (5:36)
Audio Commentary by Director Martin Scorsese and Film Critic Carrie Rickey Optional English Subtitles
5.1 DTS-HD Surround & LPCM 2.0 Stereo
“New York, New York” International Version (HD, 136 minutes) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
The New York, New York Stories: Part One (25:31) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
The New York, New York Stories: Part Two (26:58) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
Liza on New York, New York (22:09) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
Alternate Takes / Deleted Scenes (19:14) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
Commentary on Selected Scenes by László Kovács, ASC (10:14) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
Photo Gallery [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
Theatrical Teaser (2:07) & Theatrical Trailer (3:27) [Blu-ray Bonus Features Disc]
Reversible Artwork

New York, New York Official Trailer - Robert De Niro Movie (1977) HD

Official Purchase Link