7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A trip to the pastoral countryside reveals a dark, sinister reality for a family from the city.
Starring: Konstantin Lavronenko, Maria Bonnevie, Aleksandr Baluev, Maksim Shibayev, Vitaliy KishchenkoDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Russian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Russian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Andrey Zvyagintsev's "The Banishment" (2007) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include an original Russian trailer for the film; archival documentary; and archival interview with the director. In Russian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Vera
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Andrey Zvyagintsev's The Banishment arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The release is sourced from the same outstanding remaster that Curzon/Artificial Eye worked with when they prepared this release for the UK market in 2018. I think that it represents an astonishing upgrade in quality and offers a completely different viewing experience when compared to the old R2 DVD release of the film. (This is the only older home video release that I have in my library which I can use as a reference). Indeed, in terms of depth and fluidity the improvements are beyond dramatic. In fact, because there is quite a bit of darker footage there are entire segments that reveal completely different ranges of fine details and nuances that cannot be seen on the DVD release. The color grading is also superior and boasts newly rebalanced primaries and supporting nuances. Image stability is excellent. (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 are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Russian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Russian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
As I noted in our review of the Region-B release, viewing the film without the elevated pitch that was present on my old R2 DVD release was a revelation. However, the 5.1 track also delivers new ranges of nuanced dynamics and vastly improved separation that open up the film in various areas. The blowing wind, a passing car or train, and many other organic sounds and noises are incredibly easy to identify now. The English translation is excellent.
I consider Andrey Zvyagintsev one of the top five international directors today, and I believe that he has a refined style whose brilliance makes his work as good as that of legendary masters like Andrei Tarkovsky and Michelangelo Antonioni. I have revisited his second film, The Banishment, many times since I first saw it in 2008, and I just could not be happier that it is finally available on Blu-ray and looking so impressive. This is a truly special release that in different ways highlights everything that I like about the high-definition format. Superb. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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