Salting the Battlefield Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Salting the Battlefield Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 21, 2014

Instead of becoming the final chapter in the Johnny Worricker Trilogy, “Salting the Battlefield” provides more of a pause on the ongoing tale of MI-5’s most conflicted spy (Bill Nighy) and his ongoing war of rumor and discretion with the Prime Minister (Ralph Fiennes). Writer/director David Hare attempts to complete a storyline that originated in 2011’s “Page Eight,” but breaking up is apparently hard to do, with “Salting the Battlefield” terrific with dramatic encounters, but less successful with closure, leaving the door wide open for Worricker to return and tend to his scattered life once again.

Pulling out of the island locales found in the previous installment, “Turks & Caicos,” Hare brings Worricker and his girlfriend, Margot (Helena Bonham Carter), to Germany for safety purposes, exploring their mounting paranoia as fellow secret agents close in on their location. There are more traditional spy games to enjoy in “Salting the Battlefield,” which finds the lead characters darting all over Europe, while back in England, political concerns are raised, creating a dual perspective that leads to a decent amount of suspense, though Hare’s interest in tension is typically the verbal kind, watching these powerful men and women wield information and schemes like fencing foils. While “Turks & Caicos” was a bit sluggish and expository, “Salting the Battlefield” is more interested in paying off the conspiracy, leading to more satisfying encounters between troubled characters.

Salting the Battlefield Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Much like "Turks & Caicos," "Salting the Battlefield" arrives with an adequate HD event, finding the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation displaying mild softness with periodic crispness, allowing for detail on close-ups and set decoration. Colors are stable and true, enjoying varied costuming. Blacks are prone to solidification, losing textures on fabric. Banding is present, along with a few pockets of noise.

Salting the Battlefield Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is a basic flow of cinematic elements, with dialogue exchanges taking top priority. While the slang and cultural references are thick, voices are clear and clean, with distinct surges into emotionality. The jazzy score makes a fine impression, offering sharp instrumentation to boost the mood. Atmospherics are mild, juiced up some in train stations and with street life.

Salting the Battlefield Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Making Of (16:16, HD) returns to the cast and crew of the Worricker Trilogy, who discuss their experiences working in Germany (commenting on its unreliable trains), and feelings for one another, with Hare expressing admiration for his entire cast.

Salting the Battlefield Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Acting is aces, though "Salting the Battlefield" has an advantage, with a larger role for Fiennes, while Felicity Jones, Saskia Reeves, Olivia Williams, and Judy Davis return to the fold. It's a treat to watch these talented folk spar with Hare's twisty dialogue, keeping the picture fresh and engaging as it feels around for a conclusion. Some conflicts are resolved with a heavy dose of realism, keeping in line with Hare's interest in political corruption and the struggle of honor vs. futility, but Worricker doesn't seem like he's finished with his tour of disillusionment and sacrifice. With Nighy in the lead role, surrounded by cast of gifted folk, I hope there are more Worricker stories to come in Hare's creative future.