7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
From the earliest screen play draft to the excitement when the lights go down in the theatre, Icons Unearthed digs up the real story of how the most iconic film franchise in history was made.
Starring: Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, George Lucas, Phil Tippett, Howard G. KazanjianDocumentary | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It was not too long ago that I reviewed The Offer, a TV series about the making of the classic 1972 film The Godfather. That was a fictionalized retelling of how the movie was made and all of the social, political, and technical challenges the production faced over time. I wondered at the end of the review if something similar focused on Star Wars might not also be a monumental hit. Well, that still does not exist, but Icons Unearthed: Star Wars is easily the next best thing. Here is a six-part documentary concerning the making of all six original Star Wars films (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith). It's a fascinating journey that spans several decades of filmmaking and all of the trials and successes that followed the franchise's growth from dubious project that several major studios passed on to becoming the single biggest behemoth that the film landscape has ever seen and saturating the popular culture like none before or since (some may argue for the Marvel movies taking that mantle, but I disagree for reasons of sheer longevity and multi-generational passion). This is the story of not just how each film was made, but also why they have stood the test of time to remain deeply ingrained in popular culture now going on fifty years since A New Hope made its big screen debut.
Mill Creek brings Icons Unearthed: Star Wars to Blu-ray with a proficient 1080p transfer. The image is pleasant. It comes framed at 1.78:1 with
wider shots accompanying clips from various Star Wars films which are, of course, natively ~2.39:1. Such footage is not in the best of
shape, looking very adequate to be sure but these are certainly not tip-top Star Wars Blu-ray transfers. But within the framework in the film
works with, they look just fine. Additionally, various archival shots of varying quality are inserted throughout, some of it in very poor shape for both
clarity and color, some of it a little more serviceable, but again these are cases of "they are what they are" and they do not impact the overall video
review score.
This review is based solely on, and concerned with, the quality of the new interview footage which largely looks fine. This will never pass for Blu-ray
reference video quality, but the core image is in fine shape. The digital captures translate nicely to Blu-ray, yielding tight, accurate textures on
faces, clothes, and the environments where the participants speak. Pores, wrinkles, and facial hairs are plainly presented, and viewers will not miss any
vital detail in these shots and scenes. Color reproduction is right down the middle for contrast and temperature, presenting nicely lively tones to clothes
and various backgrounds seen in support of various interviewees. Black levels are fine, whites are competent, and skin tones look pleasantly healthy.
There is some mild noise, at times, but compression issues, at least serious or even slightly bothersome compression issues, appear all
but absent. This is a fine transfer that supports the documentary material well enough.
Mill Creek presents the series on Blu-ray with a very rudimentary, but also fundamentally effective, DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The presentation stretches no boundaries but conveys the narrative-heavy content well enough. Speaking is chief element here, and no matter who is speaking, whether in interviews or through the narration that accompanies the totality of the series, there is never a drop in clarity or quality. The spoken word is also nicely centered. A few beats of score prepared for the show plays with nice clarity and adequate depth. A few sound clips from the films see a mild drop in quality but, like their video counterparts, play just fine in context.
Icons Unearthed: Star Wars includes extras on the second Blu-ray disc in the form of extended interviews with several key participants. Some
of the material repeats, of course, but these are the full and uncut interviews, complete with the sound of the interviewee asking the questions to which
the participants respond. See below for who speaks and for how long. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does ship with a
non-embossed slipcover.
Icons Unearthed: Star Wars is really just a big, sprawling making-of that covers the six Star Wars films made before the Disney acquisition. They run about 45 minutes each and are packed to the gill with content. There's not much room here for criticism. Certainly the filmmakers did everything in their power to wrangle in more participants, but those who are here are more than adequate to shape the story of what is indeed an icon of cinema. The Blu-ray set is special, offering easily a full day's worth of material across the main feature and the bonuses. Fans of the Star Wars universe would be remiss not to rush out to buy this. It's worth every penny. Highly recommended!
2012
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2018
Special Edition - Limited Edition to 3000
2012
2011
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2012
1994
- Traumreise unter weissen Segeln / Mediterranean Holiday
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Deluxe Edition
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2015
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2021
1996
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1958
Slipcover in Original Pressing
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2013