6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A tribute to the spirit and humanity of people who are physically different from the average: very tall and very large men and women, a bearded woman and her long-time husband, Siamese twins joined at the midsection, and several little people including actor Billy Barty. We meet some at Gibsonton, Florida, where carnival folk winter. They talk about their lives and accomplishments. The camera also goes on the road to visit a grandfather with a distinctive face, a legless mechanic from Kentucky on a second honeymoon in LA, a marathon runner and motivational speaker who has no feet, a karate student with partial limbs, and an armless, down-to-earth mom in Texas. Narrated by Canadian actor Christopher Plummer.
Starring: Billy Barty, Sandra Elaine Allen, Jo-Ann Cantilla, Louise Capps, Paul FisheDocumentary | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Harry Rasky's "Being Different" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributor. The only bonus feature on the disc is an exclusive video interview with producer Robert Kline. In English, without optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
A different man
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Harry Rasky's Being Different arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Code Red.
The release is sourced from a high-definition remaster struck from original vault elements in 2016. From the look of it, I would say that the vault elements were at least two generations away from the OCN, and maybe a 35mm print of some sort was what was of some was accessed to prepare the remaster. Regardless, density levels are not optimal, though given the nature of the project fluctuations are to be expected. Color saturation can and should be better, but stability is good. Some stains and blemishes remain; a black mark can be spotted as well. However, there are no conventional stability issues. All in all, ideally Being Different could and should look every bit as good as Crumb, but this is still a decent presentation that makes it easy to stay focused on the strange visuals. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are not provided for the main feature.
The audio is stable and clear, always easy to follow. Because there is plenty of 'live' footage some dynamic unevenness is present, but it is quite obvious that it is part of the original mix. On the other other hand, this is certainly the type of film that should transition to Blu-ray with optional English SDH subtitles.
It is interesting to hear from producer Robert Kline that Being Different was initially conceived as a remake of Freaks. But the idea was apparently very quickly abandoned because of some legal issues, and I believe that this actually freed Harry Rasky to be a lot more flexible with the content that was ultimately used in his film. If you have seen Freaks you should have a pretty good idea what to expect from Being Different, so you decide if there is a spot for it in your collection. RECOMMENDED.
Collector's Edition
2022
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2017
2019
2021-2022
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2012
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Slipcover in Original Pressing
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2020
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Collector’s Edition
2022