Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie

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Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie United States

PBS | 2013 | 53 min | Unrated | Jun 04, 2013

Nature: Legendary White Stallions (Blu-ray Movie)

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Movie rating

7.1
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer4.0 of 54.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Overview

Nature: Legendary White Stallions (2013)

The striking white Lipizzaner stallions of the famed Spanish Riding School in Vienna have been thrilling audiences for centuries.

Documentary100%
Nature75%
Family35%
Other24%
Biography14%

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080i
    Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1

  • Audio

    English: Dolby Digital 5.1

  • Subtitles

    English SDH

  • Discs

    25GB Blu-ray Disc
    Single disc (1 BD)

  • Playback

    Region A (B, C untested)

Review

Rating summary

Movie4.0 of 54.0
Video4.5 of 54.5
Audio4.0 of 54.0
Extras0.0 of 50.0
Overall4.0 of 54.0

Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie Review

Lipizzaners need love too.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 1, 2013

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.


Directed by Michael Schlamberger and narrated with gusto by F. Murray Abraham, “Legendary White Horses” shows a little more ambition than the average “Nature” production, digging into the extensive history of the Lipizzaner stallion, dating back to its origin as a war horse (complete with combat recreations) and its rise as a source of pride for Spain. From there, the show inspects the steps of the elaborate training schedule, where human and horse lock into an unbreakable bond of trust necessary to carry out difficult performance moves the bone-white stars of the show aren’t traditionally programmed to execute. There’s extreme care in the stables, and we see foals led through the tricky but rewarding introduction process, getting a feel for their future as kings of the ring.

And because this is “Nature,” the viewer is even treated to action in the breeding stable, where males are offered tempting scents of possible mates before it’s go-time. As is customary with this series, little is left to the imagination.


Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  4.5 of 5

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.


Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  4.0 of 5

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.


Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  n/a of 5

There is no supplementary material on this disc.


Nature: Legendary White Stallions Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  4.0 of 5

"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.


Other editions

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