7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The striking white Lipizzaner stallions of the famed Spanish Riding School in Vienna have been thrilling audiences for centuries.
Documentary | 100% |
Nature | 75% |
Family | 36% |
Other | 24% |
Biography | 15% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
They are considered to be the most elegant, balletic horses around, yet this grace doesn’t come easily. The “Nature” episode “Legendary White Stallions” explores the world of the Lipizzaners, the regal horses that populate the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where they are born and bred to become champions of movement and personality, extending a premium bloodline that’s celebrated around the globe.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is immediately challenged by the overwhelming use of white in the program, with horses and interiors beaming with rich displays of alabaster hair and marble architecture. The crisp cinematography is well represented here, delivering fine detail on horse grooming and presentation, while visits to the countryside provide a full view of naturalistic surroundings, also confidently displaying primaries. Costuming is equally stunning. Shadow detail isn't challenged in full but remains accessible, preserving fabrics and deep animal hair. Some minor banding is detected.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix only reaches out from the front stage when scoring kicks into to full gear, supplying a faint but noticeable circular hold for the music. Most of the energy is funneled into Abraham's jubilant narration, with the actor's voice sounding firm and emotional, finding articulation crisp and supportive, though rarely deep. Atmospherics are detected, allowing for some stable echo and outdoor wildlife to be heard, while the particulars of Lipizzaner behavior are effortlessly understood, holding on the verbal communication of the subjects.
There is no supplementary material on this disc.
"Legendary White Stallions" provides a compelling look at the routine of grooming, training, and socialization the horses enjoy before they're ready to perform, with the production underlining the tradition of these amazing creatures and their remarkable abilities. Perhaps the demands of historical inspection tend to distract from primary focus on stable care and rehearsal, but the ambition to supply a full education on the life cycle of the Lipizzaner is welcome, helping to recognize a true collaborative process.
2000
Under Antarctic Ice / Encountering Sea Monsters
2003-2005
2004
2008
2008
Victoria Falls / Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears
2009
Kilauea: Mountain of Fire / Violent Hawaii
2009
Victoria Falls / Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears
2009
Kilauea: Mountain of Fire / Violent Hawaii
2009
2010
2010
2010
2010
2010
2010
2011
2011
2011
Bears of the Last Frontier: City of Bears / Bears of the Last Frontier: The Road North / Bears of the Last Frontier: Arctic Wanderers
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
2014
2014
2015
2016
The Story of Cats: Asia to Africa / The Story of Cats: Into the Americas
2016
2018
Super Cats: Extreme Lives / Super Cats: Cats in Every Corner / Super Cats: Science and Secrets
2018
(Still not reliable for this title)
Attenborough: 60 Years in the Wild: The Complete Three-Part Documentary Series
2013
2004
2011
2011
2013
IMAX
2007
IMAX
2007
The Original UK Series
2011
BBC
2011
2011
2010
2009
2015
+ Photo Booklet
2012