8.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Traudl Junge, the final secretary for Adolf Hitler, tells of the Nazi dictator's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII.
Starring: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane KöhlerDrama | 100% |
War | 90% |
History | 82% |
Biography | 45% |
Foreign | 28% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
German: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Oliver Hirschbiegel's "Der Untergang" a.k.a. "Downfall" (2004) is a spectacular account of the last days of the Nazi regime. Swiss actor Bruno Ganz delivers an unforgettable performance that will undoubtedly be regarded as the greatest achievement of his career. Courtesy of UK-based distributors Momentum Pictures.
Bruno Ganz as Hitler
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with VC-1, and granted a 1080p transfer Oliver Hirschbiegel's Downfall arrives on Blu-ray
courtesy of UK-based distributors Momentum Pictures.
It is very easy to tell how notably stronger this Blu-ray transfer is when we compare it side by side with Sony Pictures' R1 DVD release of the film
from 2005. The film grain is much more prominent, detail better, and clarity substantially stronger. Edge-enhancement isn't an issue of concern.
Detail appears strong, and I certainly did not detect any artificial enhancements to report here. The color-scheme, the film's key feature, is also
intact. As intended by Oliver Hirschbiegel, the Blu-ray transfer reveals a somewhat faded, at times even worn-out, look which is very much in sync
with the film's dramatic subject matter. On the other hand, the actual print is healthy, and I certainly did not detect any disturbing debris, specks,
and scratches. To sum it all up, Downfall looks spectacular on Blu-ray, and I strongly encourage you to consider upgrading your SDVDs.
(Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc which you will be able to play on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one audio track that Momentum Pictures have provided for Downfall - German Dolby Digital 5.1. Some of you will probably be disappointed by the fact that there isn't a more elaborate audio mix on this release but given that Downfall is primarily a dialog-driven feature, I believe that a DTS-HD Master Audio, or a Dolby True HD track, would have been practically identical to the Dolby Digital 5.1 Momentum Pictures have secured (the soundtrack by Stephan Zacharias is mostly subdued and very atmospheric). This being said, the dialog is crisp and very easy to follow. Furthermore, I did not detect any balance issues to report here either. On the other hand, surround activity is practically nonexistent. With the exception of a few explosions that occur during the first half of Downfall as well as bits of the music soundtrack at the very end, you will not have your audio system tested at all. This being said, the English subtitles Momentum Pictures have provided are actually imposed, which means that you will not be able to turn them off.
Note: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are perfectly playable on North American PS3s and SAs. They are
encoded in 480/60i.
There are a number of interesting extras on this Blu-ray disc. "The Making of Downfall" delivers an inside look at the production history of the film
while it also offers fascinating comments from the cast and crew. There is also some interesting historic information pertaining to Hitler's final
days. "Melissa Muller about Traudl Junge" provides a wealth of information about Traudl Junge's contribution to Until The Final Hour. Co-
author Melissa Muller also talks about her encounter with Hitler's secretary and a lot of the invaluable information she provided for her research.
"The Shooting of Downfall" is divided into two sections - Shooting In Russia with audio commentary by Christine Rothe (Production
Executive) and Bernd Lepel (Production Designer), and B-Roll - Shooting Downfall with audio commentary by director Oliver Hirschbiegel.
Both extras provide a tremendous amount of information addressing the technical difficulties the crew of Downfall faced during the actual
production. The director's commentary is very informative as it provides a detailed analysis on a number of key scenes from the film. Finally, there
is a very large gallery of interviews with: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara (Traudl Junge), Corinna Harfouch (Magda Goebbels), Ulrich Matthes
(Joseph Goebbels), Juliane Kohler (Eva Brown), Heino Ferch (Albert Speer), Ulrich Noethen (Reichsfuhrer SS Heinrich Himmler), Thomas
Kretschmann (Herman Fegelein), Thomas Thieme (Martin Bormann), Bernd Eichinger (writer-producer), Joachim Feist (author-historical sketch),
and director Oliver Hirschbiegel. (For the record, the English-language commentary by Oliver Hirschbiegel found on the R1 DVD Sony released in
North America is not included on this Blu-ray disc).
Downfall is a film that will forever have a place in the annals of cinema. It is powerful, disturbing, and impossible to forget. Do not miss it! The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Momentum Pictures, is a serious upgrade over the R1 DVD (even without a lossless audio track). The video quality is good and the extras very informative. Highly Recommended.
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