6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Dominic Matei (Tim Roth), an aging professor of linguistics, survives a cataclysmic event to find his youth miraculously restored. Dominic's physical rejuvenation is matched by a highly evolved intellect, which attracts the attention of Nazi scientists, forcing him into exile. While on the run, he reunites with his lost love, Laura, and works to complete his research into the origins of human language. When his research threatens Laura's well being, Dominic is forced to choose between his life's work and the great love of his life.
Starring: Tim Roth, Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Marcel Iures, Ana UlaruDrama | 100% |
Romance | 21% |
Mystery | 7% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
I am a mutant, like a character in a science fiction novel. I am a strange Superman of the
future.
One of the most respected filmmakers of our time, director of such cinematic treasures as
The
Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and Bram Stoker's Dracula, Francis Ford Coppola
makes his long-awaited
return to directing in 2007's Youth Without Youth, a film sure to try the patience of even
the most stalwart and stoical of filmgoers. Sometimes the best films are those that slip under
the radar, films that
don't succeed theatrically but gain a following on home video and through word-of-mouth.
Youth Without Youth barely received a theatrical release, grossing less than $250,000 in
an extremely limited release. Colpolla has described this film as "very personal." No doubt, this
isn't a film for the masses, or even for movie-goers with a penchant for sampling more
offbeat, stylized, slower-paced, analytical films. Rather, this film seems directed toward a select
audience that eschews the norm, desiring anything but the latest blockbuster or even
independent art house feature, film-aficionados searching for a mind-boggling film that, taken in
just the right
context and frame-of-mind, just might spark some kind of internal philosophical war,
taking those viewers on a personal journey through one's own outlook on life, and the life they
live from day-to-day.
My new-found youth permits me to hold a rose while simultaneously pointing at a rose. Ah, youth!
The 2.35:1 framed, 1080p high definition Blu-ray version of Francis Ford Coppola's Youth Without Youth is a stunning achievement. Filmed with Sony's HDC-F950 high definition camera, the results on Blu-ray are predictably excellent, the image rarely failing to impress. There were a few instances where black levels seemed a bit to bright and gray, and softness befell the image in a few sequences, but I'm convinced that any anomalies are likely attributable to director intent rather than any blemish on the mastering of the disc. Detail is remarkably high in many shots. Take, for example, a close-up of Dominic after his encounter with lightning as he lies in his hospital bed, covered in bandages. Every thread and frayed edge of his wrappings are easily discernible. Many shots are sepia toned (mostly in flashbacks where some seem to slowly gain color as the shots wear on), nearly black and white at times, while other, "normal" shots are remarkably vibrant. Some scenery is simply too stunning for words; a shot of the green leaves of a tree outside the hospital on a clear, bright day results in an image almost too good, so beautiful it would be hard to replicate it again in real life, or to find such stunning imagery at another location away from where the shot was captured. I did note a few instances of reddish-in-appearance flesh tones, though so far and few between it's likely that some unseen or odd lighting source was the culprit more so than a lazy or imperfect transfer. An excellent image overall, I would not rank Youth Without Youth among the very best 5-star material, but it's no slouch, either, filmed in high definition and obviously shining on Blu-ray.
Equally impressive as the video quality is the film's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless sound mix. The first moments of the movie are a true sonic wonderment, as the soundstage becomes filled with so many sounds we can sometimes identify, sometimes not. The subwoofer reports very deep, rumbling lows as every other channel works hard to bring us a cacophony of bizarre sounds, but I'll be darned if it doesn't sound fabulous. When Dominic is struck by lightning the sound literally comes out of nowhere, shocking the Blu-ray viewer just as much as the victim -- I literally jumped and yelled "whoa!" Other than strong dialogue and ambience, there are plenty of other engaging sonic moments in the film, such as what we hear during a Nazi experiment involving high-voltage, powerfully employing the entire sound field, equalling and possibly surpassing the excellence of the film's opening assault of sound. We hear the sounds of war (machine guns, bombs) played over various newspaper headlines meant to place the scene in the proper timeframe over the course of the film, creating an awesome aural experience. Simply a strong, engaging listen, from the loudest to the most quiet of scenes, Youth Without Youth presents a strong, well-balanced, and engaging listen, definitely befitting the material, and Blu-ray, very well indeed.
Viewers of this Blu-ray disc wanting to go deeper into the film won't be left waiting for eternity as the disc provides several good extras, beginning with a feature-length commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola. His passion for the film, its original story, and the filmmaking process in general is evident throughout. Coppola delves into quite a bit of the meaning of the imagery and themes present through the movie and never allows a dull moment to slip into his track. This track is simply a must-listen for anyone who yearns to hear further insight into this motion picture. The Making of 'Youth Without Youth' (480p, 8:42) is a brief feature that showcases several filmmakers and cast discussing the meaning of the movie. Matt Damon, who appears in a brief scene in the film, says it best when he proclaims the movie to be "experimental...exactly the kind of movie you want Francis Ford Coppola to be making." The Music For 'Youth Without Youth' (480p, 26:52) takes a detailed look at the importance of music in the picture, as well as its production and integration into the movie. 'Youth Without Youth': The Make-Up (1080i, 18:03) examines the finer details added to the characters to make them appear just right for their part and their scenes. End Credits (1080p, 4:05) is a traditional, complete listing of the credits generally seen at the end of a film but included only as an extra on this disc. Finally, trailers for Persepolis, Steep, The Lives of Others, Black Book, The Jane Austen Book Club, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and a promotional Blu-ray montage conclude the special features section of the disc.
Of course, everything I've written about the movie itself needs to be taken with a grain of salt. If any movie is ripe for polarization amongst movie goers, it is this one, and this is one film I strongly urge you to see and decide for yourself, if it sounds at all appealing to you. I'm still not sure how I feel about the movie, now several hours after its final shot, hence my score for the film right in the middle of the scale. As for whether the movie is any good or not, it's certainly "good" from a technical perspective, but "entertaining" it most certainly is not. If your movie-going penchant runs to the strange, slowly paced, deep, and thought provoking films that probably won't make sense unless you give them your complete attention over the course of several viewings, Youth Without Youth might just be for you. If it is for you, this Blu-ray edition is the superior way in which to indulge your appreciation. Offering movie lovers a fine video and audio presentation along with a few extras to help in your understanding of the proceedings, the technical parts of the disc definitely benefit the movie. No recommendation here as to the movie itself, but should you choose to see the film, I do, of course, heartily recommend the Blu-ray version.
2006
1943
2004
1991
1973
1978
1993
1946
1945
1946
2009
Limited Edition to 3000
1960
2017
2019
1947
2012
1996
Extended Director's Cut + Theatrical Version in 720p
2009
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1978
2014