6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
This movie tells the story of Omar Mukhtar, an Arab Muslim rebel who fought against the Italian conquest of Libya in WWI. It gives western viewers a glimpse into this little-known region and chapter of history, and exposes the savage means by which the conquering army attempted to subdue the natives.
Starring: Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed (I), Irene Papas, Rod Steiger, Raf ValloneWar | 100% |
Biography | 25% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Arabic: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Shout! Factory has released the 1980 epic 'Lion of the Desert' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video, 5.1/2.0 lossless sountracks, and extras newly crafted and new to Blu-ray. Also included is a third disc including the Arabic language version of the film. The film was prevously released to Blu-ray in 2013 under the Starz/Anchor Bay label. This presentation greatly improves on that terrible release by leaps and bounds.
The included screenshots are sourced from the English language 1080p Blu-ray disc included in this set.
To say that this new release of Lion of the Desert trounces the old Starz/Anchor Bay Blu-ray would be an understatement. Most everything
that
could be wrong with the old release was wrong, right down to the aspect ratio, cropping the film for 1.78:1 rather than present it at its natural 2.39:1
ratio.
Beyond
that and scrapping the 1080i encode for 1080p (Blu-ray) and 2160p (UHD) is a through restoration that has lovingly and painstakingly brought new,
and much needed, life to the film, resulting in what is a splendid Blu-ray and stunning UHD, both worth treasuring.
First, a few words on the remastered Blu-ray. It looks great and is obviously a far, far superior image to the old release. Beyond the proper framing,
which offers a splendidly wide and immersive picture, is a faithfully filmic presentation alive with great detail and fine color reproduction. The image
is
subtly grainy and yields impressively sharp detail to military uniforms, war material, faces, even desert terrain. Compared to the old Blu-ray, it is a
revelation in every way.
The UHD, on the other hand, is a revelation over even the new Blu-ray. Given the poor state of the old Blu-ray the leap from new Blu-ray is not quite
so dramatic but there is no mistaking that this is clearly the superior version. Grain is more readily evident yet still gentle and natural in density and
consistency. Details are far more striking for clarity and complexity revealing the core elements of faces, clothes, and terrain with a more certain
exactness and visual robustness that brings the movie to life with newfound tactile density and definition. The resolution gains are obvious, bringing
greatly enhanced overall stability and refinement to the UHD image. Further, the print is clean with no evidence of spots, speckles, tears, or other
signs of deterioration. The encode is essentially perfect.
Meanwhile, the Dolby Vision color grading offers a significant boost to depth and vitality. Colors are, overall, more robust and intense with meatier
contrast that does not betray essential tonal parameters. Earthy rock faces and desert terrain are presented with more lifelike tans and beiges.
Natural greenery presents with superior accuracy. Blue skies enjoy great improved realism. Reds leap off the screen with tremendous vitality. Fiery
explosions present with more naturally inclined bursts of orange and white. White levels are beautiful, here far crisper and bright compared to the
Blu-ray. Black levels depth is superb but can hint at crush. Skin tones are refined and natural.
Note that the picture quality for the Blu-ray Arabic version appears to be identical to that of the Blu-ray English version.
Shout! Factory brings Lion of the Desert to the UHD format with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 lossless audio tracks. In 5.1, action scenes are the defining characteristic and are presented with impressive full stage engagement and depth. Surrounds are used extensively and naturally. Planes zip around, tanks rumble through, explosions hit hard, and gunfire pops out of and rips through every speaker. Remember the sound engineering is not up to par with a modern movie but the natural elements are alive and recreated to their fullest here. Score soars with focused front side yield and some surround support. Lighter atmosphere envelops the listener quite nicely. Dialogue is clear and front-center located. The 2.0 track is also robust within its more constrained confines. Front side spacing is impressive, as is weight to various action scene elements. Even lacking the engaged surround and subwoofer channels the 2.0 track manages to offer impressive depth and a core feeling of "there." Dialogue doesn't hold exactly to a center imaged area but is usually close. Note that the Arabic 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless tracks offer similar, if not identical, dynamics.
The UHD and Blu-ray discs include newly minted and returning vintage extras. However, all extras are new to Blu-ray/UHD since the previous
Starz/Anchor Bay disc was featureless. Also note that a second Blu-ray disc is included which features the film in Arabic with several extras also in
Arabic. No digital copy is included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.
UHD:
Shout! Factory's new 4K restoration is a work of art. The Blu-ray is solid, but the UHD is flat-out super. The 5.1 and 2.0 audio tracks are great and the supplements are satisfying. The Arabic language version is icing on the cake. Very highly recommended for one of the better releases of 2022.
Le message
1976
2005
1966
1993
1977
1967
2008
1955
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1966
1958
1960
2017
2008
1970
1976
60th Anniversary Limited Edition
1962
2017
La Battaglia d'Inghilterra
1969
2007
2015