Rabin, the Last Day Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Rabin, the Last Day Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 31, 2016

“Rabin, the Last Day” isn’t the easiest picture to acclimate to. At first, the effort resembles a television news program, offering an extensive interview with Israeli politician Shimon Peres, setting the tone as the details of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s 1995 assassination are established. The film then introduces camera footage from the fateful day, exploring the volatile public gathering that greeted Rabin. And finally, when gunfire breaks out, director Amos Gitai transforms the effort into a dramatic recreation of the fallout and preamble to murder. Tonally, “Rabin, the Last Day” takes some time to adjust to, with the helmer ambitiously attempting to dissect a specific moment in time through various perspectives and levels of confidence. It’s not an especially convincing juggling act, especially for 155 minutes of screen time, but the passion that drives the feature is difficult to smother, fighting to identify Rabin’s controversial vision for Israel’s future and dissect the figure’s cruel death any way it can.

There are three movies competing for screen time in “Rabin, the Last Day,” but the clear winner is the collection of news footage, detailing the subject’s political vision for peace with Palestine and the wrath of his opponents, who openly wished death on Rabin, engaging in extremism as a way to preserve borders. Providing a summary of developing volatility, the feature captures a real understanding of the danger Rabin faced almost fearlessly, remaining in public view (albeit with security surrounding him) to maintain contact with his people. It’s a riveting look at the mangling of a message, and it does more to identify Rabin’s importance than the docudrama material, which frequently plays like a television procedural, identifying the participants and motivations as the scene of the crime is painstakingly examined.

Rabin, the Last Day Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Combining news footage and dramatic recreations, the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Rabin, the Last Day" creates a clear divide between reality and invention. Modern footage retains a distinct HD look, offering generous detail with close-ups and set decoration, preserving sharpness. Colors aren't varied to carry the somber tone of the effort, but hues remain secure and communicative. Delineation hits a few pockets of solidification along the way. Banding is periodically encountered.

Rabin, the Last Day Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built to be the most immersive listening experience, primarily dealing with legal affairs and conversations. However, stillness is intentional here, focusing on dramatic exchanges with ideal clarity, helping to detect subtle changes in emotion. Scoring is satisfactory, maintaining steady instrumentation and placement. Atmospherics are purposeful and interestingly chaotic, while sound effects are sharp and snappy, maintaining surprise.

Rabin, the Last Day Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:19, HD) is included.

Rabin, the Last Day Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Rabin, the Last Day" takes its time, refusing pace to pore over the psychological process of grief and justice. It's not always engaging, but the overall effort captures tragedy with surprising clarity. Perhaps a traditional documentary was in order, but the blend of fact and fiction does have its rewards, respectfully dissecting the volatility of Israel during one of its darkest periods of political loss.