7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.4 |
Under threat by fundamentalist terrorists, a group of Trappist monks stationed with an impoverished Algerian community must decide whether to leave or stay.
Starring: Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, Olivier RabourdinDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 75% |
History | 35% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
The French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is 48kHz/16-bit.
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Selected to represent France in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 83rd Academy Awards, Xavier Beauvois' "Des hommes et des dieux" a.k.a. "Of Gods and Men" (2010) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original theatrical trailer and a documentary film. In French and Arabic, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
We will stay!
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Xavier Beauvois' Of Gods and Men arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye.
The high-definition transfer is beautiful. Fine object detail is outstanding - the darker footage from inside the monastery has pleasing depth and fluidity, while the larger panoramic vistas from the Algerian countryside are colorful and vibrant. The natural light, which has a very important role for the film's overall mood, is also captured beautifully. Edge-enhancement is not an issue of concern; neither is macroblocking. There are no traces of heavy noise reduction plaguing the transfer either. If anything, there is light noise that has a tendency to pop up during a few of the darker scenes (and specifically during a couple of ceremonies). Color reproduction is excellent, with the variety of natural blues, greens, browns, and especially yellows giving the film a very pleasing earthy look. Additionally, there are no serious stability issues. I also did not detect any purely transfer-related anomalies to report in this review. All in all, this is yet another very impressive presentation for a wonderful film courtesy of Artificial Eye. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with portions of Arabic). For the record, Artificial Eye have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
Of Gods and Men does not have an intense music score, but the French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track opens up the entire film quite well. The liturgical singing benefits the most, but there are various scenes where the falling rain or strong winds are also enhanced very well. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or audio dropouts to report in this review. The English translation is very good.
Of Gods and Men is an enormously powerful and thought-provoking film with a very important message. In light of recent developments, it is my opinion that the film should be seen by as many people as possible. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye, looks and sounds fantastic. It is also Region-Free. (Please keep in mind that Sony Pictures are also releasing the film in North America on July 5th). VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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