7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.3 |
When an African boy arrives by cargo ship in the port city of Le Havre, an aging shoe shiner takes pity on the child and welcomes him into his home.
Starring: André Wilms, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Kati Outinen, Blondin Miguel, Elina SaloForeign | 100% |
Drama | 81% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: LPCM 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Winner of FIPRESCI Prize and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the Cannes Film Festival, Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki's "Le Havre" (2011) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye. The supplemental features on the disc include original theatrical trailer; video interview with actors Andre Wilms and Jean-Pierre Darroussin; and performance footage of the singer Little Bob. In French, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Where do we go from here?
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Aki Kaurismaki's Le Havre arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye.
The high-definition transfer is identical to the one Criterion used for their Blu-ray release of Le Havre in the U.S. Detail is excellent throughout the entire film, while depth is often spectacular. Clarity, sharpness, and color reproduction are also identical to those of the excellent Criterion release. (I have attempted to match a few screencaptures: compare screencapture #8 with screencapture #1 and screencature #12 with screencapture #16 from our review of the Criterion release). Additionally, there are no traces of problematic lab tinkering. Unsurprisingly, the film has a consistent and solid organic look. Compression is also very good. When projected, the film remains tight around the edges and heavy shimmer never creeps in. To sum it all up, Artificial Eye's Blu-ray release of Le Havre is an excellent alternative for viewers residing in Region-B territories that could not take advantage of Criterion's release. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and French LPCM 2.0. For the record, Artificial Eye have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The sound is rich and well rounded. During the rock concert there is pleasing depth and the overall dynamic amplitude is as good as it could possible be. This being said, surround activity is very limited. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable and easy to follow. The English translation is also excellent.
Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki's Le Havre is one of the year's best films. It is a beautiful modern fairy tale with a deeply humanistic message which pays tribute to classic French cinema. Artificial Eye's Blu-ray release of Le Havre is an excellent alternative for folks residing in Region-B territories who could not take advantage of the excellent Criterion release - the film looks and sounds just as inmpressive. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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