7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The saga of a crime family in the Vatican in 1492 Italy
Starring: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Peter Sullivan (III), Sean HarrisDrama | 100% |
History | 75% |
Period | 66% |
Epic | 46% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
BD-Live
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
We are in sight of our goal.
When television artistry meets the cravings of the masses for deviousness and debauchery, the end results winds up looking a lot like
The Borgias, Showtime's adult-oriented television show set in the late 1490s that examines the life and times of the scheming Pope
Alexander VI.
Many shows these
days seem like they're more about turning a profit or delivering raw shock value -- which certainly aren't goals without merit -- than they are about
producing a
working piece of art; The Borgias blurs that line between lower-common-denominator elements and more carefully and precisely assembled
drama by delivering a series that's far more
refined than Camelot and less blatantly carnal than Spartacus. The Borgias does indeed mimic these -- and
other --
adult-centric shows in both its themes of corruption, backstabbing, dirty politics, and other nefarious affairs and in its depiction of violence and
sexuality as
keystone elements in the weaving of the greater narrative. However, Neil Jordan's (The Crying Game) The Borgias is a cut above;
it's smart and balanced
rather
than overzealous, and its structure, narrative, and characters are far more refined and their actions just as damning and devious without the
gratuitous violence and sex and excessive use of foul language that tend to overwhelm similar recent shows that aim to put a different spin on
history than
what's traditionally found in dusty old tomes and texts.
His not-so-holy Holiness.
The Borgias arrives on Blu-ray with a positively gorgeous 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer. The digitally-shot series sparkles and the 1080p resolution allows audiences to soak up every last little detail and splash of color the series has to offer, no matter the size of the display. Every episode is beautifully stable and yields incredibly clarity. Fine detail is extraordinary, from the beginning scenes that show every wrinkly line on a dying Innocent VIII's face and every little seam and stitch on his cap. The locales yield wonderful details via the many extravagant set pieces, including complexly-deissgned floors and façades. Clothing is richly detailed, too, and faces only suffer through infrequent bouts of troublesome color gradations, which sometimes reduce detail in lower light. Colors sparkle, popping off the screen with every red robe and every ornate decoration, particularly in well-lit daytime scenes. Shadowy corners occasionally devolve into crush, but blacks are mostly sturdy and natural. The digital photography is smooth but not glossy or artificial, and noise, banding, and blocking are largely absent. This is a fantastic Blu-ray transfer all around; fans and newcomers alike will be thrilled with the quality on display in each and every frame.
The Borgias features a high quality Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This is a rich, all-around and satisfying sonic experience. It generally lacks the figurative "big guns" sort of sound effects that define other top-tier action-oriented tracks, but while this one doesn't offer that same kind of raw power and energy, it does play with a commanding presence that nicely engulfs the listener into the world of 1490s religion and politics. The track handles music assuredly and with great clarity. Spacing is faultless, and the accompanying low end provides some much-needed body. Heavier sound effects, such as the rattling of a carriage and the pounding of horses hooves, are stable and true, while general ambience -- whether ringing bells signaling the election of a new Pope, reverberating voices in cavernous locales, the din of a crowd, or subtle effects in various exterior locations -- proves natural and immersive. Clarity and imaging both are excellent, and they go hand-in-hand, too, as every effect plays realistically and in perfect harmony with the on-screen action. Ultimately, however, the show is dialogue-driven; the track demonstrates a solid command of the spoken word, delivering it cleanly and clearly through the center channel at all times. This is a very good, satisfying, and natural Blu-ray soundtrack that serves the series very well.
The Borgias contains no series-specific extras, at least not on-disc. All three discs offer BD-Live portals (inaccessible at time of publication) which, according to the packaging, will feature Casting of Cesare (presumably specific to The Borgias), Episode 2 of Dexter -- Season Six, Episodes 1 and 2 of Gigolos, and episodes 1 and 2 of Californication -- Season Four. Disc three of this set contains House of Lies Pilot Episode, Dexter Season 6 Episode 1, Episodes Episodes 1, and Episodes Episode 2. All on-disc episodes are presented with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound.
The Borgias is a high quality Historical drama that's as engaging as its similar contemporaries, but through a more balanced approach that favors greater production values and plot over more raw elements like gratuitous sex and violence. Both play a large part in the The Borgias, but they compliment, rather than define, the program. Great production values, a good cast, and an intoxicating storyline make this one of the best new Dramas on television. Paramount's Blu-ray release of The Borgias features gorgeous video, strong audio, and a few extras. Highly recommended.
Remastered
2002
2013
2013
35th Anniversary Edition
1987
2008
2006
1951
Collector's Edition | Theatrical on BD
1991
1974
1990
2010
2017
2011
The Tragedy of Macbeth
1971
Special Edition
1968
2014
2019
1964
Special Edition
1974
1953