6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
In an isolated village in Extremadura (Spain), the Jiménez and Fuentes families have a violent history of land disputes, jealousy, envy, and violence.
Starring: José Garcia, Victoria AbrilForeign | 100% |
Drama | 84% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Horror | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Carlos Saura's "The 7th Day" a.k.a. "El 7º día" (2004) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributors Olive Films. There are no supplemental features on the disc. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
The grieving family
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Carlos Saura's The 7th Day arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.
The remaster that was used to produce the release was prepared a while ago, and it is most likely the same one that Warner used in Spain some years ago to produce its DVD release of the film. However, I own the Spanish DVD release and even if it is the exact same remaster after comparing it to the Blu-ray release I can confirm that there are pretty substantial upgrades. In fact, excluding some wider panoramic shots where the limitations of the remaster become easier to spot, as well as the final episode where the killers enter the village, the Blu-ray offers a completely different viewing experience. Virtually all of the darker/nighttime footage on the DVD looks blocky and in some areas even begins to break down; the daylight footage also conveys plenty of background shimmer. Even though density can be better, on the Blu-ray depth is in fact vastly superior, and even with existing limitations there are entire ranges of nuances from the original cinematography that are retained. Colors are lusher and overall more pleasing as well. All in all, while there is room for cosmetic improvements, I can confirm that the Blu-ray release offers a big upgrade in quality that folks with large screens will definitely appreciate. My score 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The Spanish DVD release The 7th Day has a Spanish 5.1 track, and I think that this release should have had it as well. On the other hand, the 2.0 track is still excellent, and more importantly eliminates the PAL speed-up from the DVD release. In terms of dynamic intensity, balance, and stability it is very impressive.
Most unfortunately, there are no bonus features on this release.
There is some incredible talent in The 7th Day and with Carlos Saura behind the camera the end result is of course quite impressive. It recreates a very ugly real event, but actually channels plenty of warmth and light humor that may remind some folks of Bigas Luna's work. Some years ago I thought that this could have been the film that Criterion use to introduce the Spanish director to the Collection, but I was wrong. If there are folks that own the old Spanish DVD release of The 7th Day and wonder whether the Blu-ray is worth picking up, the answer is a definitive yes. There is room for improvement, but the upgrade in quality is significant. RECOMMENDED.
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