7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
In fog-dripping, barren and sometimes macabre settings, 11th-century Scottish nobleman Macbeth is led by an evil prophecy and his ruthless yet desirable wife to the treasonous act that makes him king.
Starring: Orson Welles, Jeanette Nolan, Dan O'Herlihy, Roddy McDowall, Alan NapierDrama | 100% |
War | 16% |
History | 12% |
Period | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B, C (A untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Orson Welles' "Macbeth" (1948) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French label Carlotta Films. The supplemental features on the disc include a presentation and analysis of the film by actor Denis Lavant; video interviews with Orson Welles specialist Jean-Pierre Berthomé; selected-scenes commentary by stage director Stuart Seide; film analysis by Orson Welles specialist François Thomas; and a lot more. In English, with optional French subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
"I feel now the future..."
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Orson Welles' Macbeth arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French label Carlotta Films.
Please note that the screencaptures included with our review appear in the following order:
1. Screencaptures #1-20: Macbeth 119-minute version.
2. Screencaptures #22-30: Macbeth 86-minute version.
3. Screencaptures #31-37: Orson Welles' Macbeth is available individually and as part of a four-disc box set, which also includes the newly restored Othello. Pictures of the box set are included with this review.
Because this longer version of Macbeth incorporates footage from different sources, there are areas of the film with some density fluctuations. Most close-ups, however, convey very pleasing depth, making it rather easy to see even exceptionally small details (see screencapture #10). Some of the larger and very atmospheric panoramic shots also impress with good fluidity (see screencapture #17). Color saturation and stability are very good -- the blacks do not appear artificially boosted and the grays and whites are well balanced. Grain is visible throughout the entire film. However, grain exposure does fluctuate as some of the footage is obviously of varying quality (compare screencaptures #1 and #7 with screencapture #9). In other words, there are some sporadic shifts in terms of sharpness, but overall the image quality remains quite stable. (For this specific high-definition transfer degraining corrections were not performed by Carlotta Films). Lastly, it is very easy to tell that large debris, cuts, damage marks, and stains have been carefully removed as the film looks notably clean. All in all, excluding the inconsistencies mentioned above, this is indeed a very good technical presentation of the 119-minute version of Macbeth. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. For the record, Carlotta Films have provided optional French subtitles for the main feature.
Depth and clarity are very good. There are no sudden spikes or drops in dynamic activity either. The dialog is well balanced with Jacques Ibert dramatic score. There is no distracting background hiss, audio dropouts, digital distortions to report in this review.
BLU-RAY DISC ONE
I like Carlotta Films' presentation of Orson Welles' Macbeth a lot. Obviously, in an ideal world the film could look better on Blu-ray, but this would mean that all existing elements are in terrific condition and are easily accessible. Considering what has been previously done by other parties and what makes sense financially, I think that the end result is very good -- this new two-disc set features the longer 119-minute reconstructed version of Macbeth and the shorter 86-minute theatrical version of the film. There are also some excellent supplemental features, but unfortunately they are not subtitled in English. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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