You Are Not Alone Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

You Are Not Alone Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 19, 2024

1978’s “You Are Not Alone” is a coming-of-age story that intends to get up close and personal with its cast of adolescents. The Danish production means to be warm and sensitive to the needs of the characters, approaching juvenile concerns with a certain authenticity, which makes for a few interesting scenes of conflict. Directors Ernst Johansen and Lasse Nielsen aren’t too concerned about a plot for the endeavor, which moves leisurely throughout a boarding school for boys, picking up on developing situations and feelings. “You Are Not Alone” is a decidedly European film, making it specialized work for a specific audience, and while it feels a tad meandering at times, it does create some intimate spaces of anxiety and connection to explore.

At a remote boarding school, the Headmaster (Ove Sprogoe) is trying to maintain control over his young students, looking to make a positive impression on outsiders as he seeks a grant to expand the building. The kids aren’t too thrilled with such sternness, trying to live their lives as freely as possible while stuck in a religious institution. For Bo (Anders Agenso), attraction to classmates is something he’s figuring out, making a connection to Kim (Peter Bjerg). The Headmaster’s son. As rebellion spreads around the building, the students deal with various challenges, pushing back on control, and Bo tries to process his feelings during a delicate time.

Headmaster isn’t a cruel man, just a traditional one paying more attention to the business of discipline than the reality of it. Other films would immediately villainize the character, but “You Are Not Alone” tries to make some sense out of the situation, as the older man is looking to secure money for an expansion. He’s the authority figure in the movie, which mostly stays on the students and their daily activities as they try to survive the year. The passage of time isn’t too important to the helmers, but they provide a decent sense of the location, watching the kids manage classes and one another. Pranks are common (water-based shenanigans are favored) and rebellion is all the rage, finding an older teen making sure pornographic images are prominently placed around the building.

There is a sexual component to “You Are Not Alone,” handled with equal parts bluntness and tenderness by the directors. It’s an uneasy mix at times, and while the picture doesn’t get graphic, it does introduce a few pairings around the school that require a bit more depth than what Johansen and Nielsen are willing to offer. This includes a scene where an older female member of the staff engages in a sexual relationship with one of the students. Again, this is a European production from the 1970s. Sensitivities have changed over the last four decades, but some choices, like the inclusion of nudity, are controversial, taking away from the core emotionality of the endeavor.

You Are Not Alone Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "You Are Not Alone" delivers decent detail throughout the viewing experience. A sense of school life is always present, preserving depth around interiors and elements of decoration. The rural surroundings also maintain dimension. Skin particulars are somewhat textured, and hair works with very period-specific character appearances. Clothing is fibrous. Colors are alert, exploring style choices of the era with sharp primaries. Greenery is distinct. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in decent shape, but some mild wear and tear, and reel changes, are present.

You Are Not Alone Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges. Voices sound clear and emotionality is preserved. Musical offerings are crisp, including soundtrack selections, which retain clean vocals and instrumentation.

You Are Not Alone Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (1:38, HD) is included.

You Are Not Alone Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"You Are Not Alone" finds some dramatic footing with a last act expulsion, which inspires the students to confront their frustrations, helping them to bond when a few of their own are threatened by outsiders. It's a clear feeling of storytelling in a picture that's often shapeless, helping the endeavor to locate a conclusion. "You Are Not Alone" does capture a feeling of innocence and curiosity, which supports the viewing experience, but it's not always enough to stay invested in the semi-exploitative directorial vision presented here.