I purchased the DVD version of Lust for Life the other day. I leave the evaluation of the restoration to the experts. I did, however, make the mistake of listening to the commentary (it should be illegal for anyone with “Dr.” in front of his/her name to provide DVD commentaries). My personal observations, which should influence no one, are:
1.        The discussion of the development of Hollywood biographies from the 40s into the 70s was interesting (no idea how accurate, however).
2.        While obvious, it was also nice to hear verbalized the Minnelli device of showing the real world as Van Gogh saw it, then immediately showing the painting which that reality inspired.
3.        Least importantly, the commentator’s tone was unbearably condescending.
4.        The discussion of the post-war male identity crisis was an academic and psychological discourse informed from the perspective of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Any impact that the depression and WWII might have had upon post-war society was relegated to a half-sentence nod (I would argue that the desires for stability and conformity characterizing the ‘50s emanated from the very real chaos and hardships of the previous two decades; the rebellion against those desires dates from the late 60s not earlier).
5.        The commentary was an uncritical paean to Minnelli to the exclusion of everyone else. John Houseman apparently had no influence whatsoever on the final product, and the few references to the music credited Minnelli with its beauty and effectiveness, not Rozsa. The implication seemed to be that the music was written before the film.

All in all, another disappointment. Sunset Boulevard remains the only excellent commentary I’ve heard (it actually elucidated the film for me). Surprisingly, Maureen O’Hara’s commentary to Rio Grande was also worthwhile (although not her effort for The Quiet Man). The only good thing to say about the Lust for Life commentary (and the recent one for Ben-Hur) is that The Song of Bernadette and Spellbound remain atop my worst list. But, being an idiot, I’m sure I’ll continue listening to these things.