7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Tut is a Canadian-American miniseries that premiered on U.S. cable network Spike on July 19, 2015. The three-part miniseries is based on the life of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun
Starring: Ben Kingsley, Nonso Anozie, Avan Jogia, Alexander Siddig, Kylie BunburyHistory | 100% |
Biography | 51% |
Drama | 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: Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 kbps)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Few historical figures have garnered quite so much interest as Egypt's young Pharaoh Tutankhamun, elevated to leadership status before his tenth birthday and living only a decade or so longer. Perhaps it's the allure of the child ruler, perhaps it's the relative recency of his tomb's discovery, or perhaps it's just the mouthful of a name that can be shortened into a single syllable word that's come to popularly define ancient Egypt on practically the same level as "pyramid" and "Sphinx," but there's no denying the legacy and popularity of one of the world's most recognized leaders of its ancient past. Spike TV's succinctly titled miniseries Tut dares to explore the young Pharaoh's life in a dramatized three-part feature that aired over three nights from July 19-21, 2015. The show is rich in superficial detail but shallow in dramatic depth, looking the part but feeling rather forced in the way it's been molded to fit into the modern world of high stakes historical recreation drama (see richer, but similar, examples like The Borgias and Spartacus) that are all about power manipulation, sex, and violence with only, it seems, the costumes and backgrounds changing to suit the time period in question.
Tut's 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer impresses in every area of concern. The predominantly sandy, earthy color palette is accentuated by a lovely display of support shades including teals, blues, and purples, all of which stand apart but, at the same time, melt into the world's otherwise bland color scheme for an authentic overall appearance. Details are sharp and accurate. Intimate facial makeup and lines are readily apparent, though the smoothest-skinned actors tend to look a bit more pasty. Terrain and stone work are magnificently tactile and richly complex. Black levels are suitably deep, revealing shadowy backdrops and corners with natural ease. Flesh tones appear accurate across the spectrum. Minor noise creeps into some of the lower light shots, but the transfer suffers from no major bouts of macroblocking, aliasing, or other anomalies. This is a rich, high yield presentation from Paramount.
Tut features a satisfying Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Music is a keystone element that's big in posture, well spaced across the front, offering full surround support, and delivering a positive low end weight to add depth and distinction. Musical clarity is solid throughout, perhaps a tick or two below optimal lifelike transparency but certainly well above standard. The track springs to life during battle sequences, too. The blend of music, screaming throngs of soldiers, clanking swords, gooey gore, and other details pull the listener into the mayhem. Smaller moment-specific effects are rock solid, such as a falling metal gate or crackling lit torches that support basic mood. Dialogue enjoys front-and-center placement and consistently even prioritization. This is an excellent all-around soundtrack from Paramount.
Tut contains several extras on disc two. A UV digital copy voucher is included with purchase.
Tut isn't a terrible series, it's just a forgettable one. Its historical recreation at least feels rich and carefully assembled, but the core drama and characters cannot escape the modern sensibilities to which they're designed to appeal. There's no depth to the story that audiences haven't explored before and the characters and setting don't feel the least bit necessary to the central story. It's all window dressing covering up the same old thing that so many mature-oriented modern TV shows have explored time and again. Still, it looks great and flows well enough. It's not a substitute for cramming the night before a test on ancient Egypt, but Tut at least offers an always resplendent and passably entertaining peek into ancient times that seem all too similar to so many other time periods repurposed for TV. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Tut delivers tip-top video and audio. Supplements are light and to the point. Rent it.
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Masterpiece
2015
2018
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2017
2021
Special Edition
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1965
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2011
Choice Collection
2006
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Director's Cut
2017