7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.7 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.9 |
Strange events happen in a small village in the north of Germany during the years before World War I, which seem to be ritual punishment. Who is responsible?
Starring: Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur, Ursina LardiDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 67% |
Period | 17% |
Mystery | 11% |
Crime | 4% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
Partial Italian/Polish/Latin
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, Michael Haneke's "Das weisse Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte" a.k.a "The White Ribbon" (2009) arrives on Blu-rayt courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye. The supplemental features on the disc include interview with Michael Haneke; making of featurette; footage from the Cannes Film Festival; a documentary about Michale Haneke and his career as a filmmaker; and the film's original theatrical trailer. In German, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Fear
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye.
This is a very strong high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is very impressive, clarity excellent and contrast levels some of the best I have seen on a high-definition transfer of a contemporary film. The color-scheme is also quite remarkable; the variety of blacks, grays and whites look beautiful. The panoramic vistas from the countryside, for instance, remind of beautiful photographs. Edge-enhancement and digital artifacting are not an issue of concern. There are no serious stability issues to report in this review either. On the contrary, blown through a digital projector, The White Ribbon is amongst the most impressive looking high-definition releases to have reached my desk. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Artificial Eye have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The White Ribbon is a dialog driven feature lacking unique special/ambient effects and music score. Naturally, you should not expect the German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track to test the muscles of your audio system. This being said, it is still an excellent audio track serving the film as best as it possibly can - the dialog is very crisp, clean, stable and easy to follow. Finally, there are absolutely no disturbing pops, cracks or hissings on it to report in this review. The English translation is very well done.
Interview - in this interview, director Michael Haneke discusses how The White Ribbon came to exist, what type of changes were made to the original version of the film, its look and message, etc. In German, with imposed English subtitles. (15 min, PAL).
Making of - a standard featurette with footage from the Cannes Film Festival, comments from director Michale Haneke addressing the narrative of his film, raw footage from the locations where the film was shot, etc. In German, with optional English subtitles. (39 min, PAL).
Cannes Festival - footage from the Cannes Film Film Festival - and the festival press conference - where The White Ribbon won the prestigious Palme d'Or award. In German and French, with optional English subtitles. (19 min, PAL).
Portrait - a fantastic documentary about Michael Haneke's career as a filmmaker. Some of the actors the director has worked with during the years, such as Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert, talk about his unique talents. In German and French, with optional English subtitles. (51 min, PAL).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. In German, with imposed English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).
Michale Haneke's The White Ribbon is an emotionally devastating film that addresses radicalism in an uncompromising fashion. I guarantee it will stay with you long after its final credits roll. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye, looks and sounds spectacular. It also contains excellent supplemental features. Make sure to see Portrait. The Blu-ray disc is Region-B "locked", but Sony Pictures Classic are releasing The White Ribbon in the U.S. next week. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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