6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
In London in 1818, Fanny Brawne, a woman whose independent spirit manifests itself through an intense interest in fashion design, becomes intrigued by her neighbor, gifted Romantic poet John Keats. They fall in love and wish to wed, but circumstances conspire against them, including financial concerns and illness. They are also discouraged at every turn by Keats' friend and writing partner, Charles Armitage Brown, who considers her a distraction from his writing.
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider (IV), Kerry Fox, Claudie BlakleyDrama | 100% |
Romance | 52% |
Period | 31% |
Biography | 20% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Jane Campion's "Bright Star" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Pathe. The supplemental features on the disc include "Walking with Jane", a behind the scenes featurette; Jane Campion's short films "An Exercise in Discipline - Peel" (1982), "Passionless Moments" (1983), and "A Girl's Own Story" (1984); photo gallery; and the film's original French theatrical trailer. In English, with optional French subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer, Jane Campion's Bright Star arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Pathe.
This is a wonderful high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is fantastic, clarity very pleasing and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. What impresses the most, however, is the color-scheme. Blues, greens, yellows, browns and blacks look wonderful. Edge-enhancement and macroblocking are not an issue of concern. I also did not detect any traces of heavy noise reduction. Furthermore, when blown through a digital projector, the film looks fresh and exceptionally healthy. Many of the outdoor scenes where Fanny Brawne and John Keats are seen walking together, for example, look like giant pictures. The close-ups are also impressive. My only very minor complaint with the high-definition transfer is related to the presence of some extremely mild background flicker that I noticed during two scenes rather early into the film. All in all, this a very strong presentation of a breathtakingly beautiful film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content. Also, if you reside in North America and are using a native Region-B player, keep in mind that the main menu is in PAL, which means that you will not be able to see it. However, you will be able to access the main feature, and from there you will be able to navigate the disc through the pop-up menu).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Pathe have provided optional French subtitles for the main feature.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is excellent. The rear channels are not overly active, as Bright Star is primarily a dialog-driven feature, but the sound quality is very good. Generally speaking, the dialog is crisp, clean and exceptionally easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Mark Bradshaw's music score either. There are no serious ambient effects in Bright Star, but the DTS-HD Mater Audio 5.1 track is very effective in enhancing the sound of chirping birds, screeching doors, winds blowing, etc. Finally, while viewing Bright Star, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hiss to report in this review.
Waking with Jane - a behind the scenes featurette with plenty of raw footage from the shooting of the film in Hertfordshire, England, as well as comments about the film from different cast and crew members. In English, with optional French subtitles. (PAL, 27 min).
Scenes coupees - two deleted scenes. In English, with optional French subtitles. (PAL, 2 min).
Courts metrages - short films:
-- A Girl's Own Story - Jane Campion's 1984 short about three teenage girls living during the Beatles era. B & W. In English, with optional French subtitles. (PAL, 26 min).
-- Passionless Moments - shot by Jane Campion in Sydney, Australia, in 1983. A collection of very strange scenes. B & W. In English, with optional French subtitles. (PAL, 12 min).
-- An Exercise in Discipline - Peel - shot by Jane Campion in 1982, this short is about an angry father who decides to teach his son a lesson. Color. In English, with optional French subtitles. (PAL, 9 min).
Film annonce - the film's original French theatrical trailer. In English, with imposed French subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).
Galerie photos - a collection of stills from the film.
What a wonderful film! So pure and emotional. Bright Star certainly is a return to form for Jane Campion. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of French distributors Pathe, looks and sounds terrific. The disc is also placed in a very elegant purple case. If you could play Region-B "locked" discs, make sure to add Bright Star to your collections. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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