The Crown: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

The Crown: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 8, 2017

Historical dramas and contemporary television might be today's peanut butter and jelly. The two just seem to go hand in hand, and there are so many choices -- both in terms of historical shows and places to find them -- that they almost feel ubiquitous and an obligation for the networks rather than a construct formed of art and passion. That's not to say that The Crown isn't exceptionally good, but it's exceptionally likely, even with powerhouse Netflix (Stranger Things, House of Cards) behind it, to get lost in the noisy, sprawling shuffle of choices at the general public's fingertips. The show, which takes place in a relatively "contemporary" era in the post-World War II timeframe, differs from so many others that turn the clock back significantly farther (think The Borgias, Vikings, The Tudors, Poldark, Versailles) and by extension offers a somewhat more tangible, familiar recreation of history. Created by Peter Morgan, who wrote the wonderful The Queen (also centered around Elizabeth II), the show is, as superficially trite as it may seem, a powerful, gripping telling of recent British royal and political history that is poised to join the ranks of television's finest.

Official synopsis: The British Empire is in decline, the political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the throne...a new era is dawning. Queen Elizabeth II is a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world's most famous monarchy while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minster Sir Winston Churchill. 'The Crown,' created by Peter Morgan, explores the Queen's private journey behind the public façade with daring frankness.

The Crown serves not simply as a primer on post-World War II British history but also, and much more richly detailed, a character study of modern royalty and the world around modern royalty. The show certainly builds around fairly basic maneuverings and historical high points, but it's rather in the smaller details where the show finds its soul. As dense as it may be as a fully realized vision of its time, The Crown excels within its more intimate details and character qualities that are certainly influenced by the broader, larger events but those are, in turn, truly realized and understood through the finer intricacies as they are experienced and understood by the characters. The show works in a rewarding, harmonious balance of narrative drivers and character qualities, building them side-by-side and exposing them in tandem as they're forever entwined and complimentary, for better or for worse. The show further proves agreeable and fruitful for its balanced, even-keeled approach that accentuates necessary details rather than indulge in frivolous side escapes and excesses meant to entice and entertain, not tell the story. That's something of a rarity in a modern TV landscape that puts high value on low grade complimentary pieces. The Crown indulges the mind, and the eyes are still treated to a gorgeous, impeccably crafted visual masterpiece.

The show's indulgences come not by way of carnal excess or violence but rather in the firm lavishness of its production. The show boasts an incredible eye for detail and organically transports the viewer into its time, alongside its characters, to better appreciate the unfolding drama and emerging character qualities that are more organically presented under the striking attention to detail. What makes it even more impressive are the varied locations and the seamlessness of transition from one place to another, even in lands far away, and the creative talent has ensured that any transitions come seamlessly. The show is further enhanced by a bevy of first-rate performances that organically evolve with and define the narrative presentation. There is much subtlety in presentation of character, not simply in crude dialogue and costuming, that accentuates the finer qualities and builds upon core, large-scale events with equally grand and critical undercurrent character building and exploration. The show's precision comes nearly unmatched.

The following episodes comprise season one. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging.

Disc One:

• Wolferton Splash: A young Princess Elizabeth marries Prince Phillip. As King George VI's health worsens, Winston Churchill is elected prime minister for the second time.
• Hyde Park Corner: With King George too ill to travel, Elizabeth and Phillip embark on a four-continent Commonwealth tour. Party leaders attempt to undermine Churchill.
• Windsor: With Elizabeth in a new role, Phillip tries to assert some power. Churchill wants to delay the coronation. King George's disgraced brother arrives.

Disc Two:

• Act of God: When dense smog cripples London for days and creates a serious health hazard, Churchill's inaction leaves him vulnerable to his political enemies.
• Smoke and Mirrors: Elizabeth rejects protocol by appointing Phillip to coordinate her coronation, but his ideas create conflict. The Duke of Windsor returns to London.
• Gelignite: Margaret and Peter come to Elizabeth with a request. With a royal scandal about to break in the newspapers, the Queen Mother intervenes.

Disc Three:

• Scientia Potentia Est: As the Soviets test the H-bomb, both Churchill and Eden have major health crisis. Angry about her inadequate education, Elizabeth hires a tutor.
• Pride & Joy: Elizabeth and Phillip go on an exhausting world journey. Margaret takes over some of her sister's official duties and tries to liven things up.

Disc Four:

• Assassins: As tensions with Phillip increase, Elizabeth spends time with her old friend Porchey. Churchill's portrait is painted for his 80th birthday.
• Gloriana: Margaret and Peter are reunited, but another obstacle stands in their way. Elizabeth is torn between her duty as Queen and her love for her sister.

The Crown: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Crown was digitally photographed, and there's no mistaking a modest smoothness and digital sheen, but there's also no mistaking the image's superior color reproduction and textural excellence. The image boasts incredibly rich and satisfying colors, firm and natural with exceptional saturation and nuance on everything from natural greens to red lipstick. Clothing and adornments, red carpets, and plenty of lush, regal accents dazzle. Black levels hold firm and skin tones appear healthy and full. Detailing is excellent. Textural accuracy and complexity are very strong as the image capably and intimately reveals skin, clothing, and environments with pinpoint and clearly defined accuracy. The image maintains a healthy sharpness and attention to detail even at distance. Source anomalies and encode flaws are practically nil. TV on Blu-ray doesn't get much better.

The Crown: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Crown: The Complete First Season's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a big, hearty listen, one that's more impressive than one might imagine for a period drama. For all the hushed intimacy of royal dealings and proper presentations, there are plenty of large, aggressive counterbalances to enjoy. Whether the enveloping and engrossing choral sounds at the wedding, chanting and excited crowd din, rumbling and steaming trains, or lumbering planes, the track offers plenty of deep, detailed, and potent sound elements that soak the stage in authoritative power and pronouncement. Shotgun blasts on hunting trips are likewise deep and penetrating with a realistic thud and thunder. A number of good directional and precisely imaged effects are in play, too, helping to create a full 360-degree sound field. Mild atmospherics are just as helpful and well integrated. Score plays large, too, with fine-tuned instrumentals and satisfying, effortless width and depth. Dialogue remains the key sonic propellant, and its presentation is expectedly flawless in terms of detail, positioning, and prioritization.

The Crown: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Crown: The Complete First Season contains a photo gallery (1080p) on disc four. No DVD or digital copies are included.

The Crown: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Crown may not be Netflix's crowning achievement -- that title still stands with Stranger Things -- but it's another remarkable show from the streaming service, a historical drama that's bountiful in production values, fantastic photography, expert performances, and, of course, narrative excellence. The show enthralls like few others, and without the gross excesses in which so many others indulge. It's a wonderful show that's well worth the time investment. The Crown: The Complete First Season delivers exceptional video and audio, but supplements are scant. Fortunately, the show's excellence speaks for itself, and without even an average allotment of extras, this still stands as one of the year's better releases. Highly recommended.