7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Based on the extraordinary true story of Operation Anthropoid, the WWII mission to assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich, the main architect behind the Final Solution and the Reich's third in command after Hitler and Himmler.
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, Charlotte Le Bon, Anna Geislerová, Harry LloydWar | 100% |
History | 96% |
Biography | 61% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
World War II's smaller stories could fill volumes of history texts -- and they have -- and they've also begun filtering into cinemas, too. Beyond the big, sweeping wartime epics like Saving Private Ryan, tales of larger-than-life individuals like Patton, stories of survival like The Bridge on the River Kwai, and recounts of key battles like Stalingrad, filmmakers have slowly begun to find, and recreate, the more individualized, smaller-scale, but no less fascinating tales from the war. Hacksaw Ridge looks to be a winner. Defiance was met with some praise. Now comes Anthropoid, a movie that might sounds like a budget Sci-Fi movie-of-the-week but that's actually the story of a plot to assassinate a feared Nazi leader at the height of World War II. The film serves as a good example of the validity of how the less popular and widely known moments from the war can make as much of a dramatic impact as those key events that turned the tide for history but might not have been possible without the background maneuvers that were as much a driving force during the war as the bullet point highlights taught in school.
Anthropoid was shot on 16mm film. Universal's transfer is well-versed in the movie's wares, and it looks amazing. It's nice to see a movie play to its tone and setting, visually, rather than settle for digital that would seem to only betray the texture a movie like this deserves. The 1080p presentation is excellent all around. Grain is thick but hardly intrusive. It's very evenly layered and builds a handsome filmic veneer. The image may be a hair soft and detailing may not be ripe for nitty-gritty examination, but texturally, and for film fans, the movie is a wonderland. Fabrics and faces show just enough definition to impress, while overall clarity is quite good. Colors are held in check, with the image favoring a slightly desaturated and mildly bronzed look. A few bright primaries make a splash, like red Nazi bannering, but for the most part the palette is held back to give the movie a decided period feel. Black levels and flesh tones are fine within the movie's context. A speck of white or two may be seen throughout, but no other signs of source or encode imperfections are evident. This is a terrific presentation from Universal.
Anthropoid features a quality DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that's generally reserved and nuanced but more aggressive when the situation demands. The scattered action scenes present very well, with gunfire that's crisp and pops with immersive positioning around the stage. Shots seem to emanate from every speaker and the listener will feel completely immersed into the gunfight. An explosion packs a fair enough wallop, not the foundation-shaking variety but enough oomph to define the moment. Atmospheric effects are effectively surrounding, whether public address announcements via loudspeaker or church bells ringing in the background. Musical clarity and detail are fine. Dialogue is clear and focused with natural center placement and always impressive prioritization, even during more hushed conversations.
Anthropoid contains two extras. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy code are also included with purchase.
Anthropoid isn't a war movie for everyone. Favoring a slow-burn cadence rather than a Tarantino-esque barrage of violence and ballet of language, the picture demands its audience become absorbed in finer-point narrative structure rather than watch the screen explode and turn red from afar. The film boasts several good performances and a look that perfectly captures the tone. Universal's Blu-ray features excellent video, good audio, and a couple of strong supplements. Recommended.
2008
2020
50th Anniversary Edition
1959
2014
Warner Archive Collection
1996
1956
2004
1977
1970
2012
Operation Chromite / In-cheon sang-ryuk jak-jeon
2016
2018
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1993
2012
1973
2023
2014
150th Anniversary Edition
2012
2010
2018