Scotland Revealed Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Scotland Revealed Blu-ray Movie Review

More than a mere travel doc, STV's sweeping tour of Scotland is fairly captivating...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown August 7, 2010

While helping my wife plan our wedding in 1999, I had an epiphany. Rather than traipse off to one of the usual honeymoon hotspots -- the sort of self-tanned, self-absorbed tourist catch-alls young, naive couples seem to gravitate toward -- why not shoot higher? And with that, two plane tickets to Scotland were ours. Unfortunately, we overlooked one fatal flaw in my plan; one we didn't see coming until it was far too late. Our wedding was in early March, when Scotland was wet and chilly in the south, icy and frigid in the north. (And we went as far north as Aviemore and as far south as Edinburgh.) Suffice to say, we froze. Still, in spite of all the wintry horrors that lay in wait -- bone-piercing winds, snow-slathered roads, ungodly Highland temperatures, and the looming threat of pneumonia -- we were smitten with Scotland. Even in the throws of winter, its landscapes were utterly gorgeous, its people warm and friendly, its vistas vast and mesmerizing, its villages quaint and serene, its cities grand and inviting, its mountain ranges and waterways unforgettable. All sentiments Scotland Revealed's Vanessa Collingridge and Winter Wonderland's Carol Smillie share with passion and enthusiasm.

"Scotland... a land of dramatic contrasts and extraordinary beauty," coos cheery geographer Vanessa Collingridge as the first of Scotland Revealed's three episodes begins. "Britain's highest mountains, wildest coasts and some of the most memorable cities are here. In this series, we're going to see them as never before. I've traveled from the frozen Antarctic to Tahiti, exploring some of the world's most challenging landscapes. But Scotland can match any of them." She continues, sans the hyperbole to which we outsiders tend to succumb. "I first came to Scotland over twenty years ago. I fell in love with the place and knew I wanted to stay. But it's all too easy, isn't it, to get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to take a look around us. So I'm starting another journey to take a new look at this incredible country." And with that humble declaration, Collingridge descends on Edinburgh; tourist mecca, sprawling Southern fortress and historical heartbeat of the nation. Speaking with architectural historian Charles McKean, she reveals the earliest settlements and modern industries that have made Edinburgh everything it once was and everything it continues to be. From there, she navigates the Central Belt, going from town to town along the Anglo-Scottish Border. Discussing the ancient wars and conflicts that shaped the nation, as well as the geographical features of the countryside and the role each one played in Scotland's development, she visits Glasgow, the country's largest city, the River Clyde, Stirling and her canals, the Falkirk Wheel, and other amazing locales with special guests like historians Neil Baxter and Fiona Watson.

In Revealed's second episode, Collingridge turns her attention to Argyll, an area that holds the secrets to five millennia of human history. Local photographer Colin Prior and Kilmartin House Museum curator Sharon Webb host her stay, unraveling the land, its people and cultures, archaeological sites and breathtaking wonders. Then, moving on to the sparsely populated Western Highlands, she flies over the pyramid peak of the Buachaille Etive Mòr (one of Scotland's most striking mountains), travels to several massive lochs along the coastline, soaks in the natural majesty of the Great Glen, continues to the Caledonian Canal and, of course, stops by Loch Ness, home to Scotland's most famed mascot. More importantly, she delves into the volatile geological forces and mountain-moving continental shifts that produced these astonishing landscapes (a nice touch in what might otherwise be a slightly predictable jaunt up the coast). As the three-part series comes to a close, Collingridge heads east, tracking the Cairngorm mountain range, learning about the world's oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse, fishing along the River Dee, taking in the cantilever railway bridge over the Firth of Forth (say that one five times fast), and touring the nation's third largest city (after Glasgow and Edinburgh), Aberdeen. Her trek across Scotland is certainly greener than mine -- not to mention sunnier -- but no less impressive. Collingridge strikes a smart balance between the cities and countrysides her team photographs, and the historical facts and geological overviews she brings to light. And while her chummy demeanor wears a bit thin as the series presses on, she proves to be an engaging master of ceremonies, redirecting the cameras to Scotland rather than herself (something many a host would do well to emulate).

Scotland's views speak for themselves, and director Dani Carlaw showcases them wonderfully. Taking to the skies, Revealed features some truly stunning aerial photography and only falters when it follows Collingridge into the country's cities. Don't get me wrong, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen... they all have their charms, but you can almost feel a fresh breath of air invading your lungs every time Carlaw's cameras rocket above the bustling streets and survey the terrain. The various experts Collingridge speaks with are a mixed bag as well. I couldn't get enough of scientist Stuart Munro -- and would eagerly watch an entire series with him at the helm -- but select others, well-intentioned and friendly as they might be, left me tapping my fingers and glancing at my watch. Still, Revealed's missteps are few and far between, and the whole of the three-part series was perfectly enjoyable in a single sitting. Collingridge's narration isn't hollow or dry, nor does she simply describe what viewers can see with their own eyes. She delivers a steady stream of pertinent information, intriguing tidbits and firsthand knowledge, all with charisma and energetic ease. Moreover, she never attempts to steal a show that's frankly already hers, affording each historian and geologist her full attention and respect. She allows them to share their wares and rarely, if ever, interjects more than a question or a comment about the subjects they discuss. (Again, an approach hosts of similar shows should try for themselves.) I'm sure there are more extensive documentaries available about each region she visits, each era of history she explores, and each city, site and sight she and Carlaw commit to film. But I have yet to find one that does a better job of painting a large-scale portrait of Scotland with such lovely, effortless strokes.

Scotland's Winter Wonderland is quite different in its approach and purpose, but just as hypnotic. Narrated by Scottish model and television actress Carol Smillie, and filmed entirely on December 23rd, 2009, STV's frosty flyover is entirely composed of aerial photography, albeit photography captured after a record-breaking cold front left the entire country covered in snow. Nearly all of the locales and landscapes featured in Winter Wonderland have already been neatly covered in Scotland Revealed, but the wild, wintry mix of the country's largest storm in years reveals another side of Scotland's beauty; one I was far more familiar with. Snow-brushed forests, icy ravines, swirling winds, glistening mountains, and endless white fields await anyone who isn't turned off by the fact that Wonderland doesn't have a traditional host like Collingridge. Personally, I prefer a disembodied narrator -- a la the majority of the BBC Natural History Unit's productions -- and find myself more at ease when a bubbly personality or grinning mug isn't popping up on camera every five minutes. (Not that Collingridge was a nuisance.) There's also something to be said for Smillie's pinched Scottish lilt. Collingridge did a fine job, sure, but her soft English accent only highlights the fact that she isn't a native, particularly as she travels further and further into the Highlands. But Smillie, though presumably sipping flavored coffee in the warm confines of a recording studio, sounds right at home, marveled by the change Scotland has undergone rather than Scotland herself.

But I digress. The most engrossing aspect of Scotland's Winter Wonderland isn't the snowfall or the photography per se, but the fact that the whole of the country appears to be deserted. Climbers aren't sullying the mountains, cars aren't hurrying along the streets, people aren't racing about, tourists aren't cluttering the countryside, shoppers aren't milling about the cities... simply put, it's as if Scotland has been abandoned. It's a subtle point to be sure, one I didn't consciously notice until Smillie pointed it out, and yet it allows Winter Wonderland to defy expectation and provide a tranquil glimpse at Scotland's vistas and cityscapes. All the while, the actress expounds upon many of the subjects Collingridge introduced in Revealed, discussing the effects of erosion, the land-altering force of the elements, and the harsh climates that affect the towns and villages at the base of the mountains. If anything, Smillie covers a lot of the same ground as Collingridge, and the narration itself grows repetitive. (There are only so many ways you can comment on the manner in which a storm takes its toll on the denizens of a bustling city or enhances the grace of a snow-capped mountain range.) It doesn't help that the Scottish population eventually begin venturing out into the snow, reminding viewers that the serenity that settled over the nation in the wee hours of the 23rd couldn't last.

Regardless of their differences, Scotland Revealed and Scotland's Winter Wonderland are an organic pairing. The Blu-ray edition's introductory price point is a tad steep -- puns! -- but anyone who has a soft spot for travel documentaries and similar programs will be quite pleased with both shows this set has to offer.

Scotland Revealed Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Scotland Revealed features a passable 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer; one that suffers from the usual glut of issues associated with lower budget releases and interlaced television programs. Colors are strong and consistent (even though oversaturated greens occasionally overpower anything they surround), black levels are fairly impressive, skintones are decent (all things considered), and contrast is attractive throughout. Detail wavers from shot to shot and scene to scene -- weather, sunlight, cloud cover and other natural nuisances take their toll -- but tends to be satisfying on the whole. Individual bricks and tiny windows are visible from afar, and the crooks and cracks of a craggly mountain are crisp and well-resolved. Even so, a wretched brew of pervasive noise, intermittent artifacting and noticeable shimmering sometimes spoils Scotland's cityscapes and forests, distracting from the otherwise gorgeous photography. Ringing, faint banding (static and rolling), and slight smearing also make several unwanted appearances, albeit to a lesser degree. Granted, there isn't anything remotely upsetting about Scotland Revealed's presentation, but there isn't anything remotely awe-inspiring about it either. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

Much the same could be said of the problematic 1080i/AVC-encoded transfer that accompanies Scotland's Winter Wonderland... if it weren't for a few notable differences. (Alas, differences to the presentation's detriment.) Ringing is more obvious and severe, and artificial sharpening has been doled out like candy. Pulldown is also a factor, resulting in hundreds of small, horizontal lines that disrupt what should be the sharp, clean jut of a mountain peak. It isn't a terribly prevalent issue, nor a debilitating one -- I've seen far worse -- but still rears its spiny head too often. But bristly ringing and brief pulldown mishaps aside, Winter Wonderland looks every bit as good (or average, as it were) as Scotland Revealed.

Scotland Revealed Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While the tech specs on the back cover mention a DTS-HD Master Audio track, no such mix exists on the disc itself. Instead, both Scotland Revealed and Scotland's Winter Wonderland are presented with comparable, altogether adequate 768kbps DTS 2.0 stereo tracks. Collingridge and Smillie's narration is clean, clear and perfectly prioritized, and only Collingridge's on-site interviews are overwhelmed by the at-times harsh Scotland elements. Wind whips across the STV mic as often as it assaults Collingridge's scarlet locks, and many a noise shares the stage with her voice. That being said, it never becomes a distracting issue, and it would be absurd to expect anything more. Yes, a 5.1 surround mix would have added welcome value to the experience, and yes, a lossless track would have eliminated the pinched nature of the shows' two-dimensional sound designs, but I doubt either upgrade would have made a monumental difference (narration can only be so immersive). If anything, the absence of LFE oomph and rear speaker pizazz saddles each Highland flyover with a rather shallow sonic showing. Ah well, at the very least, BFS has provided a pair of decent DTS tracks. Just don't expect to be enveloped in the full awe and wonder of Scotland.

Scotland Revealed Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Both Scotland Revealed and Scotland's Winter Wonderland are housed on one BD-25 disc, and there are no special features to be found.

Scotland Revealed Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Three hours of fantastic aerial footage taken over one of the most gorgeous places on the face of the planet. Yes, please. To their credit, Scotland Revealed and Scotland's Winter Wonderland strike a nice balance, dig beneath the surface, and feature a pair of affable hosts that make the journey all the more appealing. Unfortunately, BFS Entertainment's Blu-ray release isn't as successful. Its video transfers are hindered by a few too many technical issues, its DTS stereo tracks are nothing special, and the disc doesn't offer any behind-the-scenes material. Revealed and Winter Wonderland are easy to recommend. Their Blu-ray debut? Eh... not so much.