6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A Union soldier is held captive in a Confederate girl boarding school, and begins to con himself to each of their hearts.
Starring: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Oona LaurenceDrama | 100% |
Romance | 72% |
Melodrama | 44% |
War | Insignificant |
Period | Insignificant |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Sofia Coppola's resumé does not read like those of the most prolific of today's filmmakers, certainly not in terms of volume, but it's populated by several wonderful films, exquisitely crafted character pictures that shun visual and aural excess --save where appropriate -- in favor of sophistication and character depth. Films like Lost in Translation and the more showy Marie Antoinette have withstood the test of time as career highlights, high end examples of her skill as both director and screenwriter. Her latest film, The Beguiled, is a remake of a 1971 film of the same name and based on a novel by Thomas P. Cullinan first published in 1966.The Beguiled marks what is perhaps Coppola's most intimate film, one that's slow to build towards a dark finale.
The Beguiled is a rare treat in the digital age, a new release shot on film. It was even finished at 4K, and while Universal has chosen not to release a UHD at this time, the 1080p Blu-ray nevertheless carries the film nicely. Detail is very good, and even through the movie's many darkened and low-light interiors it's easy to see and enjoy good textural abundance on period attire, woods around the house, and trinkets throughout. Exteriors offer naturally complex vegetation. Colors are held in reserve by the movie's nature. Outdoors scenes revel enough green saturation to please, and some modestly colorful accents are nicely vibrant within the movie's visual contexts and confines. Black levels, critical the experience, hold very deep and true. Skin tones appear accurate. A couple of blink-and-miss pops and speckles are evident, but the image appears free of any other source of encode distortions.
The Beguiled's sound needs are rather modest, and Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers exactly what the movie demands of it. The track's most prominent element, beyond dialogue, is natural atmospherics. Outdoor scenes are swarming with insect buzzes and hums; the sense of location immersion and authenticity is tangible, and the track makes fine use of all speakers at its disposal to create a rich environment. Additionally, the sounds of battle, generally distant thuds, are nicely integrated as well, with a bit more location-specific placement as the battle takes place in one direction away from the central scene. A few crashes and thuds -- notably during a scene that marks the end of the second act -- delivers enough thump and depth to please. Dialogue propels the vast majority of the film, however, and it never disappoints in terms of clarity or positioning.
This Blu-ray release of The Beguiled contains two featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included
with purchase.
The Beguiled ranks amongst the best within Sophia Coppola's increasingly memorable body of work. It's a wonderful film of mood, performance, narrative quality, and acting. The film is sublime in its construction and the emotional reaction to it varied as it progresses. It's a rewarding experience that's well worth the 90-plus minutes. Universal's Blu-ray features quality video and audio. Supplements are limited to a pair of brief featurettes. Recommended.
1971
Warner Archive Collection
1967
2003
2008
Fox Studio Classics
1960
2017
2011
Los Abrazos Rotos
2009
1988
1934
2017
1966
2015
Limited Edition to 3000
1996
includes Texasville on Blu-ray
1971-1990
2011
2017
2015
2011
2007