Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 12, 2016

We seem to be in an era for short form television series on cable networks, or for series which don’t last all that long in the broadcast arena, at least in terms of dramatic offerings. Very few dramas on television manage to eke out multiple seasons these days, let alone get to their sixth year as Game of Thrones has. What’s perhaps even more remarkable about this vast, intriguing and often unapologetically violent series is how it’s managed to maintain such an aura of excellence for virtually all of its run. Even other captivating dramas which do manage to get to five or six years often start to show signs of lethargy or attrition after a while (Lost: The Complete Collection springs to mind, but there are others), but you’d be hard pressed to really argue that Game of Thrones has lost much if any energy or storytelling acumen in its sixth year, this despite the fact that the series’ writers no longer have (or at least have less of) George R.R. Martin’s source material on which to base their efforts. (It's arguable that Game of Thrones' relatively brief seasons consisting of far fewer than the 20-plus episodes broadcast series regularly churn out at least give the show's creative staff a little more breathing room.) The show continues to be absolutely ruthless with regard to dispatching (sometimes major) characters, and in fact just the first episode of the sixth season has a rather alarming body count (including one “held over” from the fifth season—but more about that later). That gives the plot mechanics a kind of inherently dangerous air that many viewers find incredibly bracing, but beyond the general angst about whether this or that character is going to make it to the end of the season (or, frankly, any given episode), Game of Thrones continues to build its novelistic tendencies incredibly smartly, with well drawn characters and an intricate but generally accessible plot that continues to defy expectations at virtually every turn.

For those wanting to catch up on the often labyrinthine plot dynamics of Game of Thrones, our reviews of the series' previous seasons can be accessed by clicking on the following links:

Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season Blu-ray review

Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray review

Game of Thrones: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray review

Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray review

Game of Thrones: The Complete Fifth Season Blu-ray review

Note: Care has been taken not to post any out and out spoilers (with the exception of one major plot point concerning a prime character which unfolded at the end of the fifth season and which continues to play out throughout the sixth season, and which is frankly unavoidable in any discussion of the sixth season), but when reviewing a series as far along as this one now is means that many plot points need to be at least alluded to, and in some cases outright detailed. Since some viewers may not yet be acquainted with various elements of either this or even prior seasons, anyone even slightly concerned about having a major secret revealed is encouraged to skip down to the technical portions of the review, below.

The seemingly cavalier attitude Game of Thrones has had with regard to the fate of its many characters probably has no greater example than in the case of Jon Snow (Kit Harington), whose death capped the fifth season in a stunning development that probably left some fans feeling pretty destitute. In what might be considered a bit of a cheat, while the first couple of episodes in this season deal with the aftermath of Davos’ (Liam Cunningham) discovery of Snow’s corpse in a frosty courtyard, with the body being brought to a private chamber, ultimately the magic of Melisandre (Caris van Houten) brings Snow back to life. That may lead some to waggishly suggest that Melisandre could be kept very busy resurrecting other characters, for the body count in the sixth season is truly staggering at times.

If the Snow arc has at least the outlines of a happy ending (and/or a new beginning), especially once his emergence as an anointed leader takes place, other characters are beset with all sorts of trauma, at least those who are “lucky” enough not to be killed along the way. Sansa (Sophie Turner) seems to be in dire straits as the season begins, attempting to escape through perilous territory, only to be close to meeting her fate when Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) arrives to save the day. Sansa’s reuniting with Snow provides a momentary sea of calm and hopefulness in otherwise pretty dour proceedings. These include the continuing tribulations of Cersei (Lena Headey), who is still dealing with the “shame” of the fifth season while also navigating more personal upset once Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) returns with bad news (and a body). The Lannisters’ attempts to put aside various difference to forge a coalition to defeat the Sparrows provides quite a bit of dramatic impetus to the sixth season.

Battles of course are a major part of this season, and Game of Thrones provides a number of spectacular interchanges, including everything from hand to hand combat to huge incursions, including a gigantic set piece that provides the focus of the “Battle of the Bastards” episode. That tendency, along with the series’ nonchalant attitude about offing various characters, will continue to keep most viewers on edge and perhaps a permanent adrenaline high. My one real complaint with this season has to do with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), who seems consigned repeatedly to damsel in distress mode. Commendably, this season at least gives her the chance to fight back effectively (along with help from a few dragons, of course), and the good news is at least she’s not dead (yet).

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of HBO with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. This season continues the largely stellar video presentation this series has enjoyed on Blu-ray, though the ubiquitous cool blue and slate gray color grading schemes and slightly anemic contrast have a perhaps greater tendency to tamp down detail levels at times than in some previous season (see screenshot 12 for one good example). In brighter lighting, detail levels pop commendably, with everything from texture on things like wicker baskets or bricks of castles revealing great levels of fine detail. Colors (when not intentionally tweaked) are often quite vivid and beautifully suffused, but again the series' tendency to keep things on the cool side of the spectrum means that things like flesh tones can look grayish and many scenes tend to play out in an almost monochromatic ambience. CGI is artfully interwoven with some practical effects, especially in some of the huge battle scenes. Slight dustings of noise in some of the darker moments can be seen, but they're transitory and minimal.

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season continues the show's use of Dolby Atmos (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core), though audiophiles should be aware that once again HBO has authored these discs to default to the also included Dolby Digital 5.1 track, so make sure to check your audio settings. This season is another showcase for superb surround imaging, with everything from catapulted fireballs to fluttering dragon wings providing nice object placement and discrete channelization. The series' tendency to explore far flung regions allows the soundtrack to breathe wonderfully, with a number of weather related effects providing lifelike sonic support for the visuals. Dialogue and score are rendered faithfully, with clarity and precision. The show has rather extreme dynamic range, something that can provide reference quality spikes and valleys throughout any given episode.

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc One

• In Episode Guides


• Audio Commentaries:

  Episode 1 with Director Jeremy Podeswa, Director of Photography Greg Middleton and Daniel Portman (Podrick Payne)

  
  

  Episode 2 with Writer Dave Hill, Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth) and Ben Crompton (Dolorous Edd)

  
  

  Episode 3 with Director Daniel Sackheim, Production Designer Deborah Riley, and Dean-Charles Chapman (Tommen Baratheon)

Disc Two

• In Episode Guides


• Audio Commentaries:

  Episode 4 with Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei, Iain Glen (jorah Mormont), and Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm)

  
  

  Episode 5 with Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy), Pilou Asbaek (Euron Greyjoy), Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed) and Kristian Nairn (Hodor)

  Episode 5 with Prosthetics Supervisor Barrie Gower, Camera Operators Chris Plevin and Ben Wilson and Exectuive Producer Bernadette Caulfield)

• Recreating the Dothraki World (1080p; 20:15) documents the efforts to revive elements that hadn't been seen since Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season.

Disc Three

• In Episode Guides


• Audio Commentaries:

  Episode 6 with Director Jack Bender, Director of Photography Jonathan Freeman, John Bradley (Samwell Tarly) and Hannah Murray (Gilly)

  
  

  Episode 7 with Producer/Writer Bryan Cogman, Ian McShane (Septon Ray), and Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell)

  
  

  Episode 8 with Director Mark Mylod, Essie Davis (Lady Crane) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister)

<
Disc Four

• In Episode Guides


• Audio Commentaries:

  Episode 9 with Director Miguel Sapochnik, Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), and Kit Harington (Jon Snow)

  Episode 9 with Director of Photography Fabian Wagner, Visual Effects Producer Steve Kullback, and Visual Effects Supervisor Joe Bauer

  
  

  Episode 10 with Executive Producers/Writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Lena Headey (Cersei lannister), and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister)

  Episode 10 with Special Effects Supervisor Sam Conway, Camera Operator Sean Savage and Producer Chris Newman

• The Battle of the Bastards (1080p; 30:01) is a great in depth piece covering one of the largest set pieces in Game of Thrones history.


• 18 Hours at the Paint Hall (1080p; 28:17) is a fun "you are there" featurette showing what a day on set can be like.


• Histories and Lore offer what are basically narrated animated tours through the following subjects:

  The Old Way (1080p; 4:25)

  The Kingsmoot (1080p; 3:45)

  The Summer Sea (1080p; 4:05)

  War of the Ninepenny Kings (1080p; 2:49)

  The Great Tourney at Harrenhal (1080p; 6:07)

  Robert's Rebellion (1080p; 6:07)

  Vaes Dothrak (1080p; 3:56)

  The Dothraki (1080p; 4:43)

  Northern Allegiances to House Stark (1080p; 4:56)

  Children of the Forest vs. The First Men (1080p; 4:43)

  Brotherhood Without Banners (1080p; 3:56)

  Oldtown (1080p; 5:35)

  House Dayne (1080p; 4:11)

  The Little Birds (1080p; 3:12)

  Knights of the Vale (1080p; 5:35)

  House Tarly (1080p; 4:35)

  Riverrun (1080p; 3:35)

  Great Sept of Baelor (1080p; 4:23)

• Deleted Scenes (1080p; 11:08)

Additionally, HBO's press sheet accompanying this release states there are more supplements available with the digital download of the series.

Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I had a kind of disconcerting thought as I watched this season of Game of Thrones, the first year to be (largely) shorn of source material from George R.R. Martin's works, namely: what if Martin's upcoming tomes actually go in different directions from what the series has depicted? Are we going to have alternate universe "games" all of a sudden? Considering how brilliant this series has been for six years now, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing in my estimation. Technical merits continue to be first rate, and the supplemental package on this release is outstanding. Highly recommended.