The Harvesters Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

The Harvesters Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 12, 2019

While it deals with feelings of isolation and disillusionment, “The Harvesters” is immediately striking due to its setting, bringing viewers to the world of Afrikaner farmers in South Africa, where cultural pressure and changing times are making it difficult for families in a troubled part of the world. Writer/director Etienne Kallos isn’t making a political picture, but he doesn’t exactly ignore the cultural strain, which helps the film to tighten its grip as it explores the difficulties facing a young man caught in a troubling position of guardianship while working through his own issues. “The Harvesters” is an unsettling feature at times, but also intensely atmospheric, as Kallos often shows more interest in the cinematic qualities of his endeavor than he does characterization, which grows choppier as the movie unfolds.

As a teenager in South Africa, Janno (Brent Vermeulen) is learning the ways of running the family farm, taking on increasing responsibility as his father, Jan (Morne Visser), tries to maintain order while changing times threaten the established order of the country. His mother is Marie (Juliana Venter), a God-fearing woman who’s dedicated her life to Christian worship, soon taking on an immense challenge in Pieter (Alex van Dyk), a young drug addict offered a fresh start with a new family. Forced to become “brothers,” Janno isn’t sure about Pieter, who immediately resists the rules of the house and religious influence, making it difficult for the older boy to complete his daily chores and focus on his own challenges, including a hidden desire for youth group leader, Hennie (Benre Labuschagne). As Janno deals with Pieter’s issues, he struggles with the new addition, coming around to assess his own place in the family, which carries on the best it can, leaning on Janno to mature and take control of growing discord.

Janno is introduced as the good son. He’s obedient and respectful, with the household often depending on him to maintain the farm while Jan deals with outside issues and Marie tends to her beliefs and other, younger children, striving to sustain a sense of heavenly order, keeping the household as devout as possible. Janno’s compliance is natural to the young man, fearing any disturbance to domestic order, including his own feelings, which churn inside. “The Harvesters” spends the first act establishing farm life and daily routine, getting a sense of the machine that Janno fears is gradually becoming his to drive, cherishing moments away from the grind, including time with his youth group, working hard to stay as close to Hennie as possible, testing out forbidden feelings for his friend in secret.

Upsetting everything is Pieter, a junkie recently pulled from the horrors of homelessness, still clutching a tiny photo of his deceased mother as he’s offered a new environment in the farm to get clean. Marie accepts guardianship out of Christian duty, but Janno is burdened with care, forced to partner up with a kid who’s suffering through withdrawal, unwilling to become part of the family, and generally refuses to submit to any sort of order. Pieter is a problem, and Janno is there to witness troublemaking, including causing trouble at church, which threatens the reputation of the entire family. “The Harvesters” tracks the ups and (mostly) downs of this pairing, which endures the adoption of a feral dog and encounters some private dust-ups between the two. Janno also has to deal with his seemingly senile grandfather, who inflicts brutal emotional violence on the boy, contributing to the possibility of a meltdown due to all the stress and mounting doubt.

The Harvesters Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a clear look at the cinematographic achievements found in "The Harvesters." It's an atmospheric film, and detail is compelling throughout, managing dimensional depths with farm tours and small town visits. Facial particulars are textured, showcasing fine hairs and aging. Colors favor a more sunlit appearance, with a warmer orange glow at times, and primaries are distinct. Skintones are accurate. Delineation preserves frame information.

The Harvesters Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a sharp feel for dialogue exchanges, which handle with engaging emotionality. However, "The Harvesters" really delivers with atmospherics, as the story visits open lands, with wind and crop rustling common sounds. Surrounds aren't hyperactive, but they communicate a feel for the outdoors, and they do well with interiors, capturing room tone in living spaces. Low-end isn't challenged.

The Harvesters Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Deleted Scenes (4:40, HD) are offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:38, HD) is included.

The Harvesters Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Harvesters" features strong performances from the lead actors, as Kallos requires a lot of non-verbal acting, finding young Vermeulen especially skilled at communicating Janno's dismay without articulating it. Locations are fascinating, offering a rare depiction of South African life, including cultural and racial hostilities. Kallos keeps his picture deliberately paced, and that becomes an issue as the story unfolds, as portions of the movie tend to coast on atmosphere, not drama, and while Pieter's saga is potentially engrossing, Kallos doesn't build to much with the character. "The Harvesters" tries to aim for a poetic conclusion, but it's not successful, finding Kallos more triumphant with subtle behaviors and universal fears of abandonment.