Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 21, 2009

Peter Kuran's fascinating yet deeply disturbing documentary film Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1995) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Visual Concept Entertainment. Narrated by William Shatner, the film contains declassified footage that has never before been seen by the public. Not subtitled in English. Region-Free.

The ones who started it all

Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie is a fascinating and at the same time deeply disturbing documentary film that chronicles the history of America’s development and testing of the Atomic and Hydrogen bombs. It is directed by visual effects specialist Peter Kuran, who has contributed to such blockbusters as Star Wars, The Thing, Robocop, Edward Scissorhands and Men in Black.

Kuran's film is comprised of documentary footage, some of which was only recently declassified, as well as original material which he shot over the course of several years. His film also contains footage from other documentary films, such as Leni Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will, and important stills of official military reports and documents that he was given access to. Throughout the film there are also fragments from a fascinating interview Kuran conducted with "The Father of the Nitrogen Bomb", Dr. Edward Teller.

Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie is narrated by William Shatner, who calmly leads us through the variety of different nuclear tests that were conducted during the late 40s, 50s, and 60s. Occasionally, Dr. Teller also comments on specific political events that led to the creation and testing of the latest "big bomb". The film also contains military footage from Hiroshima and Nagasaki - before and after the two cities were bombed - as well as rarely seen footage from nuclear tests that were conducted in the former Soviet Union and China during the Cold War.

Listening to the comments of those who saw many of these massive bombs get detonated as well as those who were directly responsible for their creation is indeed fascinating. I must also admit, however, that I found the enthusiasm with which Dr. Teller, for example, defended the existence of the bombs to be quite disturbing.

Technically, Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie is an impressive achievement. For example, a lot of the archival footage used in it apparently underwent some very serious digital restoration (even some of the earliest tests look tremendous). Kuran also commissioned William Stromberg to write a music score for his film, which was later on performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.

Still, it is not the clean images of powerful bombs exploding that make Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie fascinating to behold; rather it is the unique atmosphere the film brings back to life. Following the many dramatic events that occurred during the Cold War, for example, and how they affected the decisions of our political leaders, as well as those on the other side of the Iron Curtain, gives us a sense of a time that many rightfully feared.

The film’s ending is sobering, though, I must say, also somewhat flawed. Clearly, a lot has changed since the end of the Cold War, but, at least as far as this reviewer is concerned, a lot has not. Yes, the big players - the U.S. and Russia - have seemingly toned down their nuclear ambitions, but the type of dangerous mentality that justified the creation of the horrific bombs shown in the film is still alive and well (Iran, North Korea, Pakistan).

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-2 and granted a 1080p transfer, Peter Kuran's Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of VCE (Visual Concept Entertainment).

Because of the enormous amount of archival footage that is used in this fascinating documentary, the image quality varies a bit. Still, many of the early tests, for example, look surprisingly good (obviously, due to the serious restoration work that was done). Considering the nature of the materials Peter Kuran had to work with, his color enhancements are also quite impressive. Finally, there are no serious stability issues that would affect your viewing experience. To sum it all up, given the unique type of footage Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie contains, the presentation is very pleasing. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English Dolby Digital 5.1. For the record, the producers of this disc have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie boasts a wonderful soundtrack performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra that would have benefited greatly from the inclusion of a loseless audio track. Unfortunately, isn't included on this disc.

Generally speaking, William Shatner's narration is crisp and clean while the original dialog is very easy to follow. Occasionally, however, you would notice that in terms of dynamics the audio could be slightly uneven. Nevertheless, there are no serious technical flaws that would detract from your viewing experience. On the other hand, I must note that it is rather disappointing to see that VCE have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Trailers - the producers of the disc have included five trailers; one for Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1080p), one for Atomic Journeys (480/60i); Nukes in Space (480/60i); Nuclear 911 (480/60i); and Atomic Filmmakers (480/60i).

H-Bomb Detonations - (3 min, 1080p).

Slide Show - a collection of stills. (1080p).

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Trinity & Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie is a terrific documentary that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is also seriously disturbing. The wealth of information the film contains is indeed very impressive. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.