Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		5.0

The Tree of Life Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 2, 2018

Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life" (2011) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new video interviews with actor Jessica Chastain and visual effects supervisor Dan Glass; Laurent Bouzereau's documentary "Exploring the Tree of Life"; and more. The release also arrives with a 46-page illustrated booklet featuring critic Kent Jones' essay "Let the Wind Speak", Roger Ebert's essay "A Prayer Beneath The Tree of Life", and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The Theatrical Version of Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life was first released on Blu-ray by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment in 2011. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Casey Broadwater's review of this release here. Criterion's upcoming two-disc set features the Theatrical Version and a new Extended Version of the film.

The Tree of Life Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray release:

"The digital transfer of the Theatrical Version was created in 4K resolution on a Spirit 4K DataCine film scanner from the 35mm original camera negative. Additional footage for the Extended Version was scanned from the original camera negative and a 35mm interpositive on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner. The soundtrack for the Theatrical Version is composed of the original 5.1 printmaster digital audio files. In creating the soundtrack for the Extended Version, these same files were used and remained untouched except where transitions to new material were needed. The sound for the additional footage was supervised and rerecorded by Joel Dougherty. For additional information on the Extended Version, please see the credits at the end of that feature.

Transfer supervisors: Emmanuel Lubezki, Terrence Malick.
Colorist: Bryan McMahan/Roundabout Entertainment, Burbank, CA.
Extended Version editor: A.J.Edwards."

Please note that the screencaptures that are included in our review appear in the following order:

Screencaptures #1-17: Extended Version.
Screencaptures #19-26: Theatrical Version.

I viewed the Extended Version of the film because I already have the orkiginal release of the Theatrical Version and wanted to see if there are any meaningful differences between the two. The most obvious discrepancies come from the color grading jobs. Indeed, in this new Extended Version of the film a range of blue nuances appear slightly stronger, while a few brown hues have been expanded. The shift in overall color temperature, however, isn't always obvious. In fact, there are rather large sections where its presence can be quite difficult to spot, while the specific changes are virtually impossible to immediately identify. In terms of delineation, clarity, and depth the two versions look equally impressive. Also, it is very much worth pointing out that on both fluidity is of reference quality. (Unsurprisingly, when upscaled to 4K and viewed on a large screen both versions look simply astonishing). Image stability is terrific.

I also did a few quick comparisons between the first release and the new presentation of the Theatrical Version and as expected they look virtually identical. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Tree of Life Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Theatrical Version and Extended Version of The Tree of Life feature English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. Both versions of the film also have optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.

The basic characteristics that we address in our reviews are all impressive -- clarity, depth, balance, and overall dynamics. It is very easy to tell that the audio was carefully remixed because it pulls the viewer into the specific experience that the film's creators envisioned. There are no audio dropouts, digital distortions, or other technical anomalies.

The Tree of Life Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

DISC ONE - THEATRICAL VERSION

• Exploring The Tree of Life - this vintage documentary initially appeared on the first North American Blu-ray release of The Tree of Life. It focuses on Terrence Malick's vision of cinema and features interviews with Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, visual effects artists Dede Gardner, Sarah Green, and Bill Poland, Brad Pitt, producer Grant Hill, and composer Alexandre Desplat, amongst others. The documentary was produced by Laurent Bouzereau in 2011. In English. (30 min).

• Jessica Chastain - in this new video interview, actress Jessica Chastain discusses the audiotion process that landed her the role of Mrs. O'Brien, her interactions with the three boys, and what it was like to work with Terrence Malick. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2018. In English. (19 min).

• Visual Effects - in this new video interview, visual effects supervisor Dan Glass discusses his work with Terrence Malick on The Tree of Life and specifically how different themes that the director deemed crucial were expressed through images. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2018. In English. (23 min).

• Music - in this new program, critic Alex Ross discusses the unique role that music has in the work of director Terrence Malick. The program was created in 2018. In English. (19 min).

• Cinematography - in this new video essay, critic Benjamin B examines the visual style and composition of The Tree of Life. The essay features excerpts from telephone interviews with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, camera operator Jörg Widmer, first camera assistant Erik Brown, production designer Jack Fisk, and editor Mark Yoshikawa. The essay was created in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• All Things Shinning, Part 5: "The Tree of Life" - presented here is a video essay by critic Matt Zoller Seitz and editor Serena Bramble, which was created in 2011 for Museum of the Moving Image in New York. It is the fifth in a series of visual explorations of the work of Terrence Malick, and it focuses on the director's unique approach to narration, visual style, and editing choices. In English.
  
  1. Part One (13 min).
  2. Part Two (12 min).

DISC TWO - EXTENDED VERSION

• Feature Film - presentation of the new Extended Version of the film. For additional comments, please see the video section of our review.

• Booklet - 46-page illustrated booklet featuring critic Kent Jones' essay "Let the Wind Speak", Roger Ebert's essay "A Prayer Beneath The Tree of Life", and technical credits.

The Tree of Life Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I was a bit surprised when it was initially revealed that Terrence Malick was working on a longer version of The Tree of Life because I thought that the theatrical version was quite wonderful. I have now seen the new extended version of the film and I feel that my satisfaction with the theatrical version is even stronger. Criterion's upcoming two-disc set features both versions of the film, with some newly produced bonus features that focus on its production history and director Malick's working methods. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.