Possession Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Possession Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 29, 2014

Andrzej Zulawski's "Possession" (1981) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Vision. The supplemental features on the disc include an original original theatrical teaser trailer; audio commentary by director Andrzej Zulawski; making of featurette written and directed by Daniel Bird; video interview with the Polish director; video interview with translator Eric Veaux; the original soundtrack for the film, composed by Andrzej Korzynski, presented on a separate CD; lobby card reproductions; exclusive art cards; one double-sided Japanese movie Flyer reproduction; individually numbered certificate of authenticity; and more. The release also arrives with a beautiful 84-page illustrated booklet with writings on the film. In English, with optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

"How long have I been here?"

This film can confuse those who have never experienced life on the other side of the Iron Curtain. This is where Andrzej Zulawski, who directed it, came from. He started his career in Communist Poland where his early films were censored and banned by the red apparatchiks because they did not like their subversive tone. In the early '70s, the frustrated Zulawski moved to France where he has been living ever since. Possession is the Polish director's fourth feature film and without a shadow of a doubt his most disturbing one.

The film follows closely a young couple living in Berlin during the Cold War era. Marc (Sam Neill, My Brilliant Career, The Piano) is an ambitious professional who regularly reports to important people that make important decisions. After one such report, he returns home and discovers that his wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani, Nosferatu the Vampyre, Subway) has started seeing another man. Barely able to contain his anger, he hires a private detective to follow Anna and find out when and where she meets her lover.

The detective follows Anna to a cheap apartment in a rundown building only a few blocks away from the Wall. He then discovers that Anna has not one but two lovers. However, before he can contact Marc and let him know, something terrible happens to him.

Meanwhile, after a series of violent quarrels Marc forces Anna to confess that she has been cheating on him. She also reveals the identity of her first lover (Heinz Bennent, The Serpent's Egg, The Tin Drum), a new-age cocky playboy well versed in kung fu who lives with his elderly mother. Marc confronts him, hoping that he would go away, but Anna, now seriously depressed, abandons both men and goes back to the cheap apartment where her second lover has been waiting for her.

Possession tells two very different stories. The first is about the violent and rather bizarre collapse of Marc and Anna's marriage. This is the story most critics in the West love to write about. It is hardly surprising because it is obviously the only story that makes sense to them. This story is also the reason why Possession is frequently labeled "horror film".

The second story is about a very cruel closed system that is slowly but effectively transforming people into monsters. For some the transformation is so disturbing that they can't endure it and lose their minds before the process is completed. Director Zulawski had firsthand experience with this process but managed to escape the system before it was too late. In Possession, Marc and Anna are not so lucky.

The excess and gore in this film effectively mask Zulawski's condemnation of the system. In 1978, this exact same approach within a different context was used by the Polish director in his On the Silver Globe, whose production was halted by the Polish authorities after they became suspicious of its intent. (On the Silver Globe is a science fiction film but also with a clear political message). In other words, the "horror" in Possession is nothing more than a needed distraction in what is essentially an angry political film.

Adjani's performance in Possession is undoubtedly one of the greatest from the early '80s. It is indescribably intense and truly unsettling. In 1981, the French beauty won a well deserved Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Possession was lensed by renowned French cinematographer Bruno Nuytten (Andre Tecnine's Barocco, Claude Berri's Jean de Florette/Manon des sources). Some of the special effects in the film were done by the great Carlo Rambaldi (Ridley Scott's Alien, Steven Spielberg's E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial).

Possession Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Andrzej Zulawski's Possession arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Mondo Vision.

Please note that the screencaptures included with this review appear in the following order:

1. Screencaptures #1-20: Possession Blu-ray.
2. Screencaptures #21-26: Limited Edition packaging
3. Screencapture #27: Individually Numbered Certificate Of Authenticity
4. Screencapture #28: Exclusive art cards
5. Screencaptures #29-30: one double-sided Japanese movie flyer reproduction
6. Screencapture #31: five exclusive art cards
7. Screencaptures #32-33: Mondo Vision's DVD releases of Andrzej Zulawski's La femme publique, L'important c'est d'aimer, L'amour braque, and Szamanka.

Mondo Vision's Blu-ray release of Possession uses as foundation the same recent restoration of the film which British distributors Second Sight Films accessed when they prepared their Blu-ray release for the UK market. However, the high-definition transfers the two releases use are not identical.

Generally speaking, depth and clarity are very good. The daylight panoramic shots from West Berlin, in particular, look excellent (see sceencapture #5). Where light isn't intentionally restricted, the close-ups also looks terrific (see screencapture #18). The new restoration of Possession introduces an entirely new color scheme, which was approved by the Polish director. (Additionally, different visual effects, and most notably the solarization enhancements that were added to the U.S. re-cut version of the film, are now completely removed). The new cold but wonderfully well saturated colors look fantastic. The color saturation is identical on the U.S. and UK releases. The only minor discrepancy that exists is in the brightness settings -- the U.S. release is marginally darker (compare screencapture #2 with screencapture #2 from our review of the UK release -- but the difference is indeed insignificant. Furthermore, some contrast fluctuations exist, especially during the indoor sequences from the second half of the film, but the rapid balance shifts are obviously intended. There are no traces of problematic degraining or sharpening corrections. Unsurprisingly, the film has a very convincing organic look. There are no large debris, cuts, damage marks or stains to report in this review. Image stability is excellent. Lastly, the encoding and compression are very good. In fact, on the UK release I noticed some light banding which isn't present on this release. I specifically looked for it in the sequence where Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani's characters meet in front of the apartment complex in the beginning of the film. All in all, this is a wonderful presentation of Possession which is guaranteed to make fans of the film in North America who have been patiently waiting for it to transition to Blu-ray very happy. (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).

Possession Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and English Dolby Digital 1.0 (Unauthorized Alternate Audio). For the record, Mondo Vision have provided optional English, French and Spanish white and yellow subtitles. (See screencaptures #6 and 7).

The following description was provided by Mondo Vision for the Unauthorized Alternate Audio track (English Dolby Digital 1.0):

"This audio track features alternative music. It is not the director's approved version, and is included for completeness. Most notable is the addition of the piano theme during the subway miscarriage scene, the repurposing of music originally designed for the deleted Abe character, and the removal of music during a pivotal scene. A handful of releases, included Possession's U.S. DVD release (ironically billed as the "Director's Cut") were issued only this audio track. Accordingly, this Blu-ray Disc is the first release of the film in its original form in North America. It is strongly recommended to watch the film with the original director's approved audio."

The lossless track has a very good range of nuanced dynamics that enhance key sequences from the film exceptionally well, such as the disturbing subway sequence. Some minor dynamic fluctuations exist, but they are part of the film's original sound design. The dialog is clean, stable, and easy to follow. Also, there are no audio dropouts, pops, cracks, problematic background hiss, or distortions to report in this review.

Possession Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Other Side of the Wall - a making of featurette with plenty of information about the production history of Possession, the film's visual style and narrative structure, the relationships between the main characters, the film's reception at the Cannes Film Festival, Andrzej Zulawski's career (with excellent comments addressing the censoring of his work by the Polish authorities), etc. Included are clips from interviews with the Polish director, co-producer Frederic Tuten, producer Marie-Laure Reyre, and cameraman Andrzej J. Jaroszewicz. The featurette was written and directed by Daniel Bird. The same featurette also appears on the Region-B release of Possession. In English, Polish, and French, with imposed English subtitles where necessary. (52 min).

• Andrzej Zulawski Interview - in this video interview, director Andrzej Zulawski recalls how Possession came to exist and discusses the socio-political climate in Poland at the time when the film was made. The Polish director also discusses the unique qualities of the main characters in Possession, Isabelle Adjani's legendary performance, and the film's visual style. The interview was produced by Jerome Wybon for TF1 Video in 2009. It also appears on the Region-B release of Possession. In French, with optional English subtitles. (36 min).

• Director's Commentary - director Andrzej Zulawski discusses the structure and visual style of Possession which depicts his relationship with a woman he dearly loved, as well as his frustration with the socio-political climate in Poland during the Cold War era. The Polish director also spends a great deal of time explaining how Possession came to exist, and specifically his initial discussions with the producers of the film, his visits to New York and West Berlin, his initial contact with Isabelle Adjani, etc. Also contributing to this commentary is biographer Daniel Bird. The commentary is included on the Region-B release of Possession. on In English, not subtitled.

• Eric Veaux Interview - Andrzej Zulawski has written several novels. Eric Veaux has translated them from Polish into French. Presented here is a video interview with the translator in which he discusses his working relationship with the Polish director. The interview was conducted by Jean-Philippe Guigou. It was produced by Mondo Vision. In French, with optional yellow or white English subtitles. (22 min).

• Theatrical Teaser Trailer - original theatrical teaser trailer for Possession. Please be aware that the teaser trailer contains spoilers. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• More From Mondo Vision - a collection of trailers for Mondo Vision's DVD releases of Andrzej Zulawski's La femme publique, L'important c'est d'aimer, L'amour braque, and Szamanka. In French and Polish, with imposed English subtitles where necessary. (11 min).

• Unauthorized Alternate Audio - please see the audio section of our review for more information.

• Possession Original Soundtrack - the original soundtrack for Andrzej Zulawski's Possession, composed by Andrzej Korzynski, presented on a separate CD.
  
  TRACKLISTING:
  
  1. POSSESSION: Intro
  2. "State Of Perfect Harmony"
  3. Anna Calls Mark
  4. Helen's Intro
  5. A.K. #1
  6. Anna Takes A Beating
  7. Looking Through Anna's Belongings
  8. Mark & Anna Street Fight
  9. Broken Foot
  10. Chasing Anna
  11. A.K. #2
  12. "You're My Whole Family"
  13. A.K. #3
  14. "I Live With That Detective"
  15. Mark & Helen In Bed
  16. Anna Kills The First Detective
  17. Reunion in Blood
  18. Zimmermann Visits Anna
  19. "Ying-Yang Balls Dangling From Your Zen Brain"
  20. Heinrich Possessed
  21. Mark 'Eyes Wide Open'
  22. Mark Possessed
  23. "Drowning Dogs"
  24. A.K. #4
  25. Mark Kills Heinrich
  26. "Take Me"
  27. "Almost...Almost..."
  28. Stairway To Heaven
  29. Deathbed
  30. A.K. #5
  31. Motorbike Crash
  32. Apocalypse
  
  Total Time: 32:03

• Booklet - 84-page illustrated booklet featuring: Andrzej Zulawski filmography; brief review of Possession by Tom Huddleston (Time Out); "God Figured as a Public Whore Gone Crazy: Notes on Andrzej Zulawski's Possession (1981)", an essay by Daniel Bird (2009); "Possession", an essay by Jeremiah Kepp (2011); "Pink Socks and Monsters: Excess in Andrzej Zulawski's Possession", an essay by Todd Garbarini (2010); "Cinema Superactivity, An Interview with Andrzej Zulawski", by Daniel Bird and Stephen Thrower (1998); "Double Apocalypse in Berlin: Possession", by Max Tessier (1981); "Doubles Working in Concert (Possession)", by Hubert Niogret (1981); "Possession by Andrzej Zulawski", by Max Tessier (1981); "Possession, Andrzej Zulawski", by Carine Varene (1981); "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters", by Stephen Thrower (1998); and technical credits.

• U.S. Lobby Cards - 8 (5x7) U.S. lobby card reproductions placed in a custom envelope.

• Exclusive Art Cards - 5 (4x6) exclusive art cards. Original paintings courtesy of French artist Jean-Philippe Guigou.

• Japanese Movie Flyer Reproduction - one double-sided Japanese movie flyer reproduction.

• Certificate - individually Numbered Certificate Of Authenticity With Unique Serial # (Only 2000 individually numbered sets produced).

Possession Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mondo Vision's numbered Limited Edition Blu-ray release of Andrzej Zulawski's hugely atmospheric film Possession is the most beautiful release to reach my desk since the high-definition format was launched. It truly is a labor of love. I sincerely hope that the folks at Mondo Vision will also consider producing similar Blu-ray releases of the Polish director's La Note Bleue, The Silver Globe, and The Devil. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Note: In addition to the Limited Edition release, Mondo Vision have produced a standard Special Edition Blu-ray release of Possession. See our listing of this release here).