7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
During the American Revolutionary War, Abraham Woodhull, a farmer and family man, is reluctantly recruited to spy on the British for George Washington and the Continental Army.
Starring: Jamie Bell, Seth Numrich, Daniel Henshall, Heather Lind, Meegan WarnerHistory | 100% |
War | 51% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Much as the Korean War is often labeled "The Forgotten War," the American Revolution has all but been forgotten in Hollywood. With no research to back up the claim -- going only on general film knowledge and perception -- World War II appears to reign king as the most portrayed conflict in cinema history, unsurprising given that war's scale, scope, lingering effects on worldwide politics even today, and "popularity" with professional and amateur historians alike. The significantly more controversial Vietnam War would be next, with what seems like, celluloid pound-for-pound, the source of just as many pointed, powerful, and purposeful films as its World War II cinematic cousins (both are well represented in the Best Picture winners circle; see Bridge on the River Kwai, Patton, Schindler's List, The Deer Hunter, and Platoon). The sudden deluge of modern era War films hailing from the first Gulf War and the post-9/11 era in particular are quickly catching up to Vietnam in terms of raw numerical count and quality alike. After that, pretty much every major American conflict seems left behind. The Civil War probably ranks fourth (and includes Glory, arguably the best movie ever made not nominated for a Best Picture Oscar) with everything else, large and small alike, represented in more of a token manner rather than an entire catalogue of films. The point of this brief history lesson is that, for whatever reason, there's yet much wartime history to be told, and see unfold, on the screen. The American Revolution has particularly been ignored in terms of mainline films and television programs that make it central to the story. There's Al Pacino's critically failed Revolution, Mel Gibson's The Patriot, and, after that...crickets save for some really small stuff...with honorable mention to the television film The Crossing starring Jeff Daniels. Fortunately, AMC has seen fit to bring Author Alexander Rose's Washington's Spies to the small screen with Turn, an AMC (The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad) original program that focuses on a covert spy operation working against the Crown in Revolutionary Setauket, New York, told in rich detail and in good fun but not always built on the most challenging narratives or the most complex of characters.
Turned?
Turn: Washington's Spies features a satisfying 1080p presentation sourced from a digital shoot. Though it's somewhat flat and lightly glossy, Anchor Bay's presentation nevertheless reveals accurate, intricate details, evident particularly in close-ups of well-appointed military uniforms and insignia, tattered and grimy clothes, terrain, vegetation, weathered wood, and brick. Image clarity is consistently strong with only the occasionally smeared edge evident. Colors are vibrant and naturally so, with British red jackets and lush New York greens offsetting many other earthy shades that are dominant throughout the program. Black levels never stray too far from natural, showing an occasional, and mild, push to purple. Flesh tones don't appear to betray natural complexions. The image produces some light banding and noise but is otherwise largely free of excess artifacts. Overall, this is a healthy, pleasant picture from Anchor Bay.
Turn: Washington's Spies marches onto Blu-ray with a high end Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Music enjoys a satisfactory fullness and rich, detailed notes. Spacing is even and easy across the front and features a balanced, unobtrusive surround support. The track features plenty of satisfying, mood-defining, and environment-shaping atmospheric effects. Everything from falling rain dropping on a rooftop, nighttime insects singing in the distance, rolling waters splashing near a pier, or the background din at a bar, most every environment comes to life with even cursory, distant effects gently filling in the gaps. Heavier bits -- gunfire, predominantly -- enjoy a nice weighty feel and no lack of aggression. Dialogue is clear and focused with a natural center-based delivery.
Turn: Washington's Spies contains several brief supplements located on disc three. A UV digital copy voucher is included in the Blu-ray case.
Hopefully, Turn will signal a shift in Hollywood that sees more mainstream, high quality, focused, detailed, and richly constructed films retelling the story of the American Revolution. It's a glaring weakness in Tinseltown's wartime film canon, and it's due time for it to find a home in the medium. In the meantime, Turn proves very good at whetting the appetite. It's a fun, addictive program, well constructed and filled with interesting characters, fairly complex drama, and a believable external structure. Aside from a tone-deaf opening title montage, the program is largely a success and should satisfy anyone yearning to be taken back to the 1770s. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Turn features high quality video and detailed audio but a wholly underwhelming assortment of extra content. Recommended.
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