The Sacrifice Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Sacrifice Blu-ray Movie Review

Updated June 4 with CORRECTION (see Supplements)

Reviewer Casey Broadwater critiqued the first American high-def release of Andrei Tarkovsky's The Sacrifice (Offret, 1986) about seven years ago. To read Casey's analysis of the film and Kino International's "Remastered Edition," please click here.

The film's long opening take.

The Sacrifice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As a Tarkovsky devotee, I've tracked as many DVDs and Blu-rays of the master's films that I can find, carefully noting each edition's pros and cons. Readers are likely eager to know how this new restoration compares to Kino's 2011 R.E. Prior to the start of the feature, the following text displays in French and with this translation: "This film was restored in 2016 from the original negative with funding from the CNC [National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image]. Image restoration by Eclair, sound by L.E. Diapason." The Sacrifice is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1. This transfer has a more organic and natural looking appearance than the 2011 disc. The latter suffers from edge enhancement halos, noticeable grain removal, and some waxy faces. This 4K transfer eliminates virtually all digital anomalies that made the older transfer seem too processed and cleaned up. Generally, the grain structure on this BD-50 is fairly thick, dense, and wonderfully balanced throughout the frame. There is also considerably more detail. I also would deem colors and contrast superior. I did notice either some aliasing or mosquito noise along the bed's footboard during the scene in Screenshot #9. Please note that this latest restoration is not struck from the same source as the 2012 restoration that appears on Artificial Eye's 2016 Blu-ray, which was commissioned by the Swedish Film Institute (SFI) as likely a 2K Digital Intermediate. The Kino 4K transfer boasts an average video bitrate of 34963 kbps, with the full disc's total bitrate clocking in at 41.09 Mbps.

The HD versions have come a long ways since their SD incarnations. AE's 2002 DVD was the only anamorphically enhanced transfer but was far too hazy with jagged edges owing to the interlaced source. SFI produced a lovely DVD (albeit letterboxed) in 2004 that was considered the one to own and I've added a few frame grabs that you can compare with Kino's.

Screenshots 1-14, 16, 18, and 20 = Kino Classics 2018 BD-50
Screenshots 15, 17, and 19 = Swedish Film Institute 2004 PAL DVD-9

The Sacrifice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Kino supplies The Sacrfice's original Swedish monoaural track, rendered here as a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Dual Mono (1874 kbps, 24-bit). The restored track represents an upgrade to Kino's previous LPCM 2.0 Dual Mono mix (2304 kbps, 24-bit). Casey noted "clicks and pops" in the dialogue but these have been eliminated. Bach's Matthäus-Passion: Erbarme Dich and musical selections from The Everest Record Group sound warm and clean.

The white English subtitles are clear and legible.

The Sacrifice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1 (Blu-ray)

• NEW Audio Commentary by Layla Alexander-Garrett, Tarkovsky's interpreter on the set of THE SACRIFICE - I have been informed from a publicist at Kino that while Layla Alexander-Garrett track also recorded a commentary for Artificial Eye, this Kino track is a brand new recording done with her. Kino also notified me that it didn't license the prior track from AE. Alexander-Garrett's commentary is facilitated by a moderator who only talks three or four times. Alexander-Garrett delivers many recollections about working with Tarkovsky and gives erudite interpretations to the film's themes. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW Interview with Michal Leszczylowski, editor of THE SACRIFICE and director of DIRECTED BY ANDREI TARKOVSKY (32:17, 1080p) - a newly recorded video interview with Leszczylowski, who speaks in English.

• Theatrical Trailer (1:53, upscaled to 1080p)

• Trailer for Nostalghia (3:02, upscaled to 1080p)

• Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, a documentary on the making of THE SACRIFICE (101:28, 480i) - the same documentary that has appeared on Kino's prior releases. It's presented in full-frame with footage from the filming locations and excerpts from The Sacrfice.

• Trailers (4:55, 480i)

• 20-Page Booklet

The Sacrifice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kino has done a very nice job of transferring the 4K DI of The Sacrifice to Blu-ray. While I would have like to have seen some more extras, this is a fine two-disc set. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.