7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Chinese history in the 2nd and 3rd Century, during which China split into three kingdoms following the fall of Han Dynasty, and after decades of war and peace, reunified under a new dynasty: Jin.
Action | 100% |
Foreign | 75% |
Martial arts | 60% |
Epic | 58% |
History | 55% |
War | 54% |
Drama | 51% |
Period | 46% |
Adventure | 45% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
John Woo's epic "Red Cliff" (2008/2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Entertainment in Video. This double set contains the film's 286-minute version. A shorter version of the film, running at approximately 147 minutes, is also being distributed by Entertainment in Video. With imposed English subtitles. Region-Free (please see our technical analysis as there are certain limitations with this release that could potentially affect viewers residing in Region-A territories).
I shall destroy you!
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, John Woo's Red Cliff arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Entertainment in Video. Please note that this is the Special Edition version of the film, running at approximately 286 minutes. The international, shorter version of Red Cliff, running at approximately 147 minutes, is also being sold on Blu-ray. The two versions have two very different covers.
The Blu-ray transfers for Red Cliff parts I and II look practically identical to the transfers Mei Ah delivered for the Hong Kong BD releases some time ago. The only tiny difference that I could spot between the two was in the color-scheme; the reds are perhaps just a tiny bit stronger on the Hong Kong transfers, while greens look slightly more prominent on the British transfers. Everything else, however, looks identical to me. Contrast is incredibly strong, detail fantastic and clarity very impressive. Furthermore, neither edge-enhancement nor macroblocking appear to be an issue of concern. There are absolutely no traces of heavy noise reduction either. The actual transfer is also notably healthy – there are no disturbing scratches, debris, dirt, or stains to report in this review.
Note: These are Region-Free Blu-ray discs. However, before one could access the main menu on disc I, one must go through a number of forced trailers. The second trailer is problematic - it is in PAL, and will likely force many viewers in North America to get the following message on their monitors - "Can't Play Format". However, by pressing the SCAN button on the remote controls of two different Region-A players - SONY and Panasonic - I was able to get to the menu and access the main feature without a problem. I have also tested both discs on a Region-A PS3. To get to the main menu - so that you could access the film - once the first trailer (which is actually in 1080p) starts, press the green triangle button on your remote/controller and then select forward (120); the PS3 will skip over the PAL trailers and get you to the main menu. From there, one should know what to do. One does not have to follow the same routine on Disc 2. There are no trailers on it.
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. For the record, the British distributors have provided imposed English subtitles for the main feature. They do appear inside the image frame but are slightly smaller than usual.
Even though the British distributors have not ported the three outstanding audio tracks the Hong Kong Blu-ray release has - DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, LPCM 7.1, and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 - I am every bit as impressed with their Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. It is loud, incredibly powerful and with plenty of surround activity. To my ears, the battle scenes sound just as incredible as they did on the Hong Kong Blu-ray disc. Furthermore, the dialog is equally crisp, clear and very easy to follow. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report in this review.
Note: All of the supplemental features are encoded in 480/60i. Therefore, they are perfectly playable on Region-A PS3s and SAs. All special features are placed on Disc 2.
John Woo Interview - the director talks about his decision to film Red Cliff, the technical difficulties he and his crew had to overcome, as well as the film's message. The interview is in English. (16 min).
Behind the Scenes - a standard featurette focusing on the main characters in Red Cliff, many of the epic battle scenes, the true story the film is based upon, etc. In Mandarin with optional English subtitles. (21 min).
This is a solid Region-B (actually, Region-Free) release of John Woo's epic Red Cliff. I must quickly note, however, that the UK market is also getting the international, shorter version of the film. So, be careful when you shop - what you want to have in your libraries is Entertainment in Video's Special Edition of the film (a double Blu-ray set).
Red Cliff Part I / Chinese Theatrical Version
2008
Chi bi / 赤壁 | Western Theatrical Version
2008
Red Cliff Part II
2009
Tau ming chong
2007
Legend of the Fist - The Return of Chen Zhen / Jing mo fung wan: Chen Zhen
2010
天将雄师
2015
三國之見龍卸甲
2008
2002
花木蘭 / Hua Mulan / Mulan: Rise of a Warrior
2009
2003
Director's Cut
2005
集結號 / 集结号 / Jí Jié Hào
2007
夜宴 / The Banquet / Ye Yan
2006
2003
마이웨이 / Mai wei
2011
Xinhai geming
2011
Huo Yuan Jia
2006
Tóng Què Tái, 銅雀台
2012
るろうに剣心 / Rurôni Kenshin: Meiji kenkaku roman tan
2012
臥虎藏龍
2000
十月围城
2009
Jûsan-nin no shikaku
2010