6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A group of scientists is sent to the planet Arkanar to help the local civilization, which is in the Medieval phase of its own history, to find the right path to progress. Their task is a difficult one: they cannot interfere violently and in no case can they kill. The scientist Rumata tries to save the local intellectuals from their punishment and cannot avoid taking a position. As if the question were: what would you do in God's place?
Starring: Leonid Yarmolnik, Yuri Tsurilo, Natalya Moteva, Aleksandr Chutko, Evgeniy GerchakovForeign | 100% |
Drama | 79% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Russian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Russian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
2.0 is also 48kHz, 24-bit.
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Co-writer/director Aleksey German passed away in 2013, just as he was putting the finishing touches on “Hard to Be a God.” Illness shadowed his life in later years, with the filmmaker funneling what was left of his energy into an adaptation of a complex Russian novel, which took six years to shoot and another six to finish. A herculean effort has been put into the creation of “Hard to Be a God,” and artful passion shines throughout this bewildering, intoxicating picture, which provides a unique test of viewer endurance for those interested in a challenge.
The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation explores a movie that's almost exclusively about screen detail. Textures for this alien world of mud and spit are handled satisfactorily, with plenty of touchable surfaces and costumes, while frame depth is sustained. Black and white cinematography is comfortably balanced, though never deeply realized, offering a brightness that appears inherent to the production. Delineation never solidifies, with interiors holding their frame information.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built for expanse, rarely surging through the surrounds for a truly immersive listening experience. The track is more about atmospherics, which are extremely detailed to match the chaos of the setting, finding animal sounds, environmental changes, and group activity coming through with clarity. Dialogue exchanges are healthy and sharp. Music is sparingly used, but also arrives intact, sounding clean and full.
At three hours in length, "Hard to Be a God" is not built for casual viewing, ideal for those who enjoy experiencing surreal visions from lost cinema artists. A picture like this is an event, with a backstory as fascinating as the film itself. Thankfully, German puts on quite a show with "Hard to Be a God," making certain every frame of this strange odyssey is packed to the brim with life.
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1979
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Adieu au langage
2014
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Io la conoscevo bene
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Uccellacci e uccellini
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Offret / Restored
1986
Il Conformista | 4K Restoration
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Przypadek
1987
Нелюбовь / Nelyubov
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Андрей Рублёв / Andrey Rublev
1966
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2014
Out 1, noli me tangere
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1960
2013
2017
1969