7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
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: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 1.5 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
The finest War films really aren't "War" films. While they incorporate gun battles and general battlefield mayhem, they're not built around them, and they certainly don't embrace them. In fact, it's often the films that are run-and-guns disguised as military-themed Action films that are amongst the worst the genre has to offer. Pictures like Glory and Saving Private Ryan fold the action and historical authenticity into a greater tale of man or men, perseverance, courage, morality, and perhaps even social commentary in the form of, often, a subtle but highly effective anti-war note. Lion of the Desert is one such film that's more a dueling character drama that explores a number of substantial themes than it is a stereotypical "War" picture. It's the tale of two men -- an Italian military officer and a Libyan nobody thrust into a place of prominence in a rebellion -- who battle one another not with the sword or even the pen but rather the mind and master strategy. Through their battlefield confrontations they grow individually and evolve as men and military strategists both. The chaos around them does take a toll, however, and the story evolves from a broader tale of international conflict between a mighty European military and a ragtag North African freedom force to an epic confrontation between two men that will either end with a powerful, modern nation with a mechanized army disgraced or a cherished rebel leader at the end of a noose.
We demand better PQ! (and AQ, too, and supplements).
Unfortunately, Lion of the Desert's Blu-ray release doesn't do the film justice. At all. Anchor Bay's troubled high definition transfer arrives at 1080i inside a 1.78:1 frame rather than at, or around, the film's original 2.39:1 aspect ratio and the advertised 1080p encode. Unfortunately, things do not improve from there. Details are generally uninspired and flat. Skin textures appear pasty, military uniforms lack beyond basic textures, and general definition around the screen -- including both ornate Italian "war room" furnishing and desert terrains -- proves greatly disappointing. Colors are rather bland, serviceable certainly but never vibrant. Black levels sometimes look a little unnaturally bright, but flesh tones don't appear to stray too far from normal shades. There are a myriad of additional nitpicks. Noise is sprinkled throughout, compression issues are evident, and one scene around the eight-minute mark jitters badly. The print is littered with random splotches and speckles. This is a watchable but hugely disappointing transfer in nearly every regard.
Lion of the Desert's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack fares a little bit better than the video, but the net result remains negative. Dialogue occasionally comes across harshly and sometimes without much balance. Generally, however, it's clear and intelligible but not in any way natural. Musical presence is decent; fidelity lacks and volume sometimes seems out of balance around the stage. Most gunshots and explosions fall disappointingly flat. They're loud, but they don't pull the listening audience into the action. There are a few moments of adequacy; a blowing mountain horn offers a nice presence early in the film, for example, but such instances are far too few. Overall, a disappointing sound presentation for a great film.
Lion of the Desert contains no supplemental content. Note that the film runs longer than the runtime on the package suggests, but it does not match the 206-minute cut.
Lion of the Desert isn't Lawrence of Arabia, but it's a very strong, reliable, beautifully crafted, precisely acted, and often intoxicating story of man, war, and the conflict between barbaric imperialism and spiritually based nationalism. Inside is a classic tale of rebellion, but the film draws its focus towards the men who would lead each side, culminating in a fabulous sequence between stars Anthony Quinn and Oliver Reed. It's a film that's certainly not a significant presence on the broad movie watching public's radar, but it's a film deserving of a wider audience and greater admiration. Sadly, the Blu-ray release fails the film in every regard. Absent supplemental features and sporting inferior video and mediocre audio, this release is sure to disappoint newcomers and longtime fans both. The film comes highly recommended, but this Blu-ray is most definitely not the delivery vehicle to bring it to a broader audience or to longtime fans hoping to see the film as beautifully presented as it must have been on the day it released more than three decades past.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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