6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Following a young London DJ on the road to Bristol to investigate the mysterious death of his brother, Radio On offers a unique, compelling and even mythic vision of a late 1970s England, stalled between failed hopes of cultural and social change and the imminent upheavals of Thatcherism.
Starring: Sting, Lisa Kreuzer, David Beames, Sandy RatcliffDrama | 100% |
Mystery | 3% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
1979’s “Radio On” is co-produced by Wim Wenders and resembles much of his filmography. Perhaps it’s a homage, maybe an intentional replication, but director Chris Petit embraces a rare opportunity to soak in the juices of existentialism, following a character who takes a trip across Britain, observing a bleak world and meeting a few of its inhabitants. Petit makes a deliberate feature that’s slowly paced and limited when it comes to dramatic developments. It’s an art-house viewing experience offering a wonderful soundtrack from new wave artists of the day, and B&W cinematography handles the production’s love of depression superbly, offering atmosphere to support layers of ennui.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a "new 4K restoration from its 35mm original camera negative." I doubt "Radio On" looked this good during its initial theatrical engagements, with the viewing experience wonderfully film-like with heavy grain. Detail reaches as far as possible, offering a sense of textured locations, deep distances, and rough facial surfaces. B&W cinematography is ideally balanced, and delineation remains strong during nighttime encounters. Source is in excellent condition.
"Radio On" is a film that deals extensively with music, and soundtrack selections maintain clarity and authority throughout the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix. Instrumentation is sharp and volume is defined. Dialogue exchanges are clear, capturing moody performances and thick accents. Atmospherics are also appreciable, visiting street life, open areas, and factories.
"Radio On" provides a specific viewing experience. It's not suited for a casual watch, as Petit moves slowly through his vision, content to experience the drive with Robert, experimenting with long takes and unusual moods. It's not a riveting picture, but there's something going on underneath the silence and the staring, with Petit exploring stages of grief and confusion, also embracing the stilted ways of strangers trying to communicate with each other, offering confessions and confrontations in unusual ways.
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