The Juniper Tree Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Juniper Tree Blu-ray Movie Review

An impressive 4K restoration of a haunting and evocative film

A hypnotic and surrealistic experimental film, The Juniper Tree is a work of independent filmmaking which is perhaps most famous for the on-screen acting debut of beloved pop-star Björk (who would then go on to even greater acclaim as an actress with the unmissable Dancer in the Dark). The film arrives on Blu-ray for the first time with a stunning new 4K restoration. Inspired by a story by the Brothers Grimm, this modern interpretation brings a female-perspective to the story.

Margit (Björk) is a seemingly care-free young girl around the age of 14 who is stricken with grief when her Mother (Guðrún Gísladóttir) is murdered at the beginning of the narrative for doing witchcraft. The mother is buried under the juniper tree (hence the title of the feature). Attempting to continuing living out her life without fear of being murdered as a witch herself, she leaves the area alongside her older sister Katla (Bryndis Petra Bragadóttir).

Attempting to make a better life for the both of them, Katla attempts to establish a new shelter while also beginning a romantic relationship with an aloof farmer named Jóhann (Valdimar Örn Flygenring). The farmer has a young son, Jónas (Geirlaug Sunna Þormar), who becomes close friends with Margit. As the storyline unfolds, it takes on an otherwordly quality as the events unfold in a dream-like state with sparse dialogue and an emphasis on the evocative emotion of the visuals.

The Juniper Tree is an exploration of witchcraft which some might view as having metaphorical significance. The story is simplistic and the focus of the filmmaking is entirely on the use of the visuals. The experience is largely free of character-development and there is little dialogue throughout. Sparsely used, the dialogue takes on an added significance when it is carefully embellished. It ventures back to early foreign-language cinema and the great works of Ingmar Bergman (who is an obvious influence – one cannot see the film and not think of The Seventh Seal as being a major point of inspiration).

A carousel of experimentation

Most audiences will be drawn to experience the film due to the debut performance from a young Björk (who was 19 during filming despite playing a younger character in the storyline). There is little doubt that Björk was already a gifted artist. Anyone who is a fan of her remarkably experimental pop music will be thrilled to see her in this early role. She is the star-power of the independent film. She is an unmistakable talent. Even when The Juniper Tree shows some narrative shortcomings the raw performance by Björk helps to draw viewers into the world.

The film is also commendable for bringing forth a solid child performance from Geirlaug Sunna Þormar as the young boy Jónas. One of the reasons why this role stands out as such an impressive performance is the fact that no one in the audience could have predicted that the young actor was actually an actress (as a young girl was cast in the role). There is never a single solitary moment in which one would notice that the boy is actually a girl. An impressive turn by Geirlaug Sunna Þormar.

The surrealism of the filmmaking is one of the main attractions and it is so effectively realized through the black-and-white cinematography by Randy Sellars (Prey of the Chameleon, Claire of the Moon) that the filmmaking transports viewers into the world and all of its surprising wonders (and also its nightmares). The music score by Larry Lipkis is a subdued but effective back-drop to the visuals (enhancing the experience).

As an example of female directors working within the world of independent cinema, Nietzchka Keene (Barefoot to Jerusalem, Heroine of Hell) impresses with her stylistic flourishes while in the writer-director chair. While the screenplay is less impressive than the engaging visuals on display (and could have been more character-driven) the filmmaking and its potent ability to create evocative scenery has a tremendous power. The film's beginning act has elements of Gothic horror before delving into a more serene cinematic landscape before the film's concluding act turns altogether grim and disturbing. As the finale of the cerebral experience is reached, one is left contemplating the world created in The Juniper Tree and all that it entails. A worthy experience which fans of Björk and director Keene should seek out.

The Juniper Tree Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Juniper Tree arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 widescreen. The release has received a brand new 4K restoration. The restoration effort was a massive undertaking. Given that the film was a low-budget independent feature, it needed some extra resources to be restored properly. Utilizing funds from a restoration grant provided by The Film Foundation (launched by Martin Scorsese) and the George Lucas Family Foundation, The Juniper Tree has received a superb quality restoration effort from the original camera negative.

The cinematography to the film is absolutely breathtaking to behold and it is clear that a great amount of care went into the restoration. There are absolutely no signs of any wear or tear to the print. There are no dust particles, scratches, or moments with debris. Fine film grain is also capably left intact and looks absolutely beautiful. The 4K scan is a virtually flawless one with superb detail, clarity, and depth. The lush and evocative black and white cinematography shines radiantly from start to finish. This is a remarkable presentation that capably preserves Keene's film and makes it look new. The superb restoration will help the film find a whole new audience.

The Juniper Tree Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio was remastered and is presented with an uncompressed PCM 1.0 mono track. The 24 bit lossless high-resolution track is a superb reproduction of the minimalistic sound design. While the filmmaking is often remarkably quiet and subdued compared to a big-budget spectacle, the low key soundscape is remarkably effective and well reproduced on the release. Dialogue reproduction is crisp and clear throughout the entire presentation. Subtle environmental sounds are effectively brought to life. The music sounds superb with excellent fidelity. Optional English subtitles are provided.

The Juniper Tree Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray release comes packaged in an attractive clear case with a beautiful inner-artwork print, a reproduction photograph of Björk taken from during the filming of The Juniper Tree, and a 14 page booklet featuring a short essay on the film written by Angeline Gragasin, personal reflections on the film's production by co-producer Patrick Moyroud, and notes about the restoration and work by director Keene from a former student (from when the director served as a professor of film at University of Wisconsin-Madison). This is a thoroughly engaging booklet with great personal reflections and insights. It should be considered as a must-read for anyone experiencing the film.

The release arrives jam-packed with an array of special features on-disc (including three short films from director Nietzchka Keene).

Still (1978) (HD, 4:08) is an early experimental work from Keene in which she photographs a woman in a bathtub in a variety of positions (without ever veering into exploitation) before she leaves the tub and approaches her own reflection in a mirror. The piece is a somewhat unusual short film that seems like a mediation on the tranquility of personal meditation and introspection and it is easily open to one's own interpretation. An interesting experiment which is quietly evocative.

Hinterland (1981) (HD, 24:52) is a more expansive short-feature directed from Keene. The film focuses on the daily life of a woman living in Hinterland as she works on an outdoor farm and interacts with those around her in the barren landscape which consumes these characters every waking moment. Simplistic but highly evocative, the film is an almost documentary-like production following the woman throughout her day as she plows through fields, walks across a outdoor landscape with a solemn expression, and (perhaps) contemplates her own existence.

Aves (1998) (HD, 6:56) is the most avante-garde of the shorts included on the release. Keene begins the film with still photography moving at a stylized pace (slowed down for a time lapse effect) as a solemn nun weaves her fabric. As the quiet experimental work begins to expand, it delves into an animated sequence in which several ostriches of various colors (blue, red, black) march along the ground while bright blue and red hues intersect.

The piece reaches its crescendo as the nun drifts into the clouds as if she has become a part of a painted mural. This was the best of the three short films included on the release. It is remarkably accomplished blend of live-action and animation with its unique creative voice making the experience a surprising and compelling experiment.

New Interview with Randy Sellars (HD, 28:42) is a must-see interview with the cinematographer of The Juniper Tree. Sellars delves into the production history and the inspirations behind the film's aesthetic style (from Ingmar Bergman to Carl Theodor Dreyer). Throughout the engaging conversation, there are many surprising anecdotes revealed about the film's production and development which make it a fascinating discussion that fans of the film will absolutely love. From discussing the involvement of Björk to delving into his own approach with regards to the film's visuals, there is much to appreciate with this supplement.

Interview with Nietzchka Keene (SD, 14:43) is an archival interview recorded in 2002 before Keene's untimely passing in 2004 at the age of 52. The filmmaker behind The Juniper Tree discusses her own perspective regarding the film's interpretation of the Brother's Grimm fairy tale which served as the inspiration. She discusses the film's approach to witchcraft (and her own thoughts on "magic"). Delving into the film's production history (including details on how and where it was filmed), Keene offers viewers with some interesting tidbits about the film that will give more insight into her unique creative vision (as well as the casting of Björk in the lead role).

Outtakes from The Juniper Tree (HD, 4:30) features rare footage from behind-the-scenes. These are not comedic outtakes with humorous moments. Rather, these outtakes represent a series of brief glimpses from the production team and the creation of the film.

U.S. Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:44)

The Juniper Tree Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A experimental film with lush black-and-white cinematography (and featuring the debut of Björk in her first role as an actress), The Juniper Tree is an interesting experience which pays tribute to works of great classic filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman. The film is slow-paced and the script is sometimes underwhelming but the fantastic visuals and creative direction help to make it a compelling film that is worthy of exploration.

The Blu-ray features a stunning 4K restoration (of the original camera negative). It's such a gorgeous looking transfer that the release is one the best releases of the entire year in regards to film preservation. The supplements are plentiful and highly engaging. Recommended.