7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier. With the conflict coming to an end, Michiel comes of age and learns of the stark difference between adventure fantasy and the ugly realities of war.
Starring: Martijn Lakemeier, Yorick van Wageningen, Jamie Campbell Bower, Raymond Thiry, Melody KlaverWar | 100% |
Drama | 87% |
History | 81% |
Foreign | 43% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Dutch: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Selected to represent Holland at the Oscars, Martin Koolhoven's "Oorlogswinter" a.k.a "Winter in Wartime" (2008) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Kaleidoscope Entertainment. The only supplemental feature on the disc is the film's original theatrical trailer. In Dutch and English, with imposed English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
There is something in the woods
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Martin Koolhoven's Winter in Wartime arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Kaleidoscope Entertainment.
This is a very strong high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is excellent, clarity pleasing and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. The color-scheme is solid; the variety of different blues, greens, grays, blacks and whites look rich yet natural. The heavy bluish tint also gives the film a notably cold look. Furthermore, neither edge-enhancement nor macroblocking are a serious issue of concern. There are no disturbing traces of digital artifacting, banding, or heavy noise filtering. There are no serious stability issues either - from start to finish the high-definition transfer conveys terrific depth and tightness. (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. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Dutch DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (with portions of German and English). For the record, Kaleidoscope Entertainment have provided imposed English subtitles for the main feature. They split the image frame and the black bar below it.
The Dutch DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is very strong. The bass is powerful and punchy, the rear channels not overly active but intelligently used, and the high-frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable and very easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Pino Donaggio either. While viewing the film, I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks or hissings to report in this review.
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. In Dutch and English, with imposed English subtitles (2 min, 1080p).
What a wonderful film! Holland has a true star in Martijn Lakemeier, and I cannot wait to see where he goes from here. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Kaleidoscope Entertainment, looks and sounds excellent. It is also Region-Free. I urge you to consider adding Winter in Wartime to your collections as soon as possible. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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