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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

( aka 'The Red Violin' or 'Il Violino rosso' or 'Le Violon rouge' )

directed by François Girard 
Canada 1998

An epic adventure of mystery and obsession unfolds when Charles Morritz (Samuel L. Jackson), an appraiser of rare musical instruments, discovers a one-of-a-kind, red violin at a prestigious Montreal auction house. Convinced he's found an authentic long-lost masterpiece, Morritz uncovers the spectacular journey of the priceless violin, how it changed hands and the lives of all who touched it. When the violin's shocking secret is finally revealed, Morritz must wrestle with his own demons and choose between burying the truth, and risking everything.

***

Following the unusual journey of an original and unique violin, as it survives three centuries to a present-day auction in Montreal. The violin weaves a Svengali over all those who play it and becomes the subject of passion, deception and destruction. It passes through the hands of traveling Gypsies, a famous concert violinist in England to near-confiscation in Communist China, the violin manages to survive the different lives of those it touches. In present day it again becomes the subject of fascination for a violin historian, played by Samuel L. Jackson. On discovering that he has stumbled upon the much sought after 'Red Violin', he considers instigating a deception of his own kind.

Posters

Comparison:

Alliance Atlantis  - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Lions Gate (Meridian)  Region 1 - NTSC vs. Alliance Atlantis  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Reviews    More Reviews    Digital Reviews

1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT

 

DVD Box Covers

 

Distribution Alliance Atlantis
Region 1 - NTSC
Universal
Region 1 - NTSC
Lions Gate (Meridian Collection)
Region 1 - NTSC
Alliance Atlantis
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray
Runtime 2:09:56 2:11:00 2:09:56 2:10:08.342
Video 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.26 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.92 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.8 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Feature: 21,150,828,115 bytes

Disc Size:  21,074,098,176 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Bitrate: 17.50 Mbps

Bitrate: Alliance Atlantis 

Bitrate: Universal / MCA 

Bitrate: Lions Gate

Bitrate: Blu-ray

Audio English (2.0) English (DTS), English (2.0)

English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (2.0)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1958 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1958 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Subtitles English, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, French and None English and None English, Spanish, None English (for non-English language parts)
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Alliance

Aspect Ratio:
Open Matte Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• none

DVD Release Date: 26 January 1999
Keep Case
Chapters: 14

Release Information:
Studio: Universal

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Production notes
• Theatrical trailer(s)
• "Soundtrack Presentation" (Advertisement For Soundtrack)

DVD Release Date: April 18, 2000
Keep Case
Chapters: 18

Release Information:
Studio:
Lions Gate

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Edition Details:

• Commentary by director/writer Girard and Don McKellar
• Featurette: The Auction Block (17:52)
• Featurette: Oscar winning 'Chaconne' (16:00)
• Trailer

DVD Release Date: June 3rd, 200
8
Keep Case inside cardboard box
Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio:
Alliance

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Feature: 21,150,828,115 bytes

Disc Size:  21,074,098,176 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Bitrate: 17.50 Mbps

 

Edition Details:
• none

Blu-ray Release Date: June 1st, 2010
Standard
Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 16

 

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were ripped directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Alliance - Region 'A' Blu-ray - December 2010': I'm certain Alliance Atlantis was put on this earth simply to torture me. Once again there are issues with their digital release of one of my favorite Canadian films of the past 20-years. While this was flagged for progressive playback - I believe the digital source was actually interlaced (see unnatural softness in the close-up of Kasper playing the violin). Still frames often exhibit a ghosting/combing phenomenon. The brightness/contrast tends to support the Lions Gate DVD release in terms of color and in playback the Blu-ray looked... 'okay'. The best I can say is it offers a superior image to SD-DVD. But that is all. There are definite issues with this hi-def transfer.

Better news is the audio - the film has the most beautiful music (John Corigliano's, Oscar winning, original music score is brilliantly performed by Joshua Bell.) A lossless multi-language track - DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 1958 kbps. Obviously, it sounds the best I have yet heard but I suspect it could be a little more robust. There are English subtitles for the non-English dialogue.

No extras - not even a trailer - and barely a menu.

I once again enjoyed revisiting this masterful film. I (occasionally) agree with Ebert when he says "A brief outline doesn't begin to suggest the intelligence and appeal of the film." Is there any chance that Criterion could release this. We know they would do the film justice with a stacked package and an, easily, improved a/v transfer. This is such a beautiful film and a proper, more dynamic, 1080P transfer would benefit the presentation extensively. As for this Alliance Blu-ray - it is better than DVD and the best available but a long shot form getting the most out of the new format. The price is, at least, not gouging.

***

ON THE DVDs: This was one of our original DVD comparisons. In the past I have voiced my extreme displeasure with Alliance Atlantis and their ridiculously poor DVD transfers - for such a massive company it really is unforgivable. My annoyance is exemplified by the fact that they reside in my home country of Canada. If you'd like further proof of their inadequacies - see another Canadian film their DVD transfer butchered - Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner. So, in short, The Red Violin is a magnificent film, also Canadian made, and Alliance disrespected it with a full-frame Open-Matte transfer that is single-layered and interlaced - see combing in the capture of Christoph Koncz (Kaspar Weiss) playing the violin. It has no extras. This winter I'll enjoy throwing it, and its pitiful bitrate, into the Canadian snow of my backyard and urinating on it. Nuff' said.

The 2000 Universal release of the film was better (how could it be worse?) but also had some issues of its own. It is anamorphic and in the film's aspect ratio of 1.85:1. It has a strange combing. I couldn't put a handle on it as it was sporadic - but it DOES exist - almost akin to ghosting. Supplements on the disc were limited to text screens although it was dual-layered. Colors were quite dull and lackluster. It is fairly dark.

In June of 2008 LionsGate have taken to presenting this their 'Meridian Collection' (also see Diva as a simultaneous release from that sub-label). It appears to have had some boosting but adds significant information to the frame as compared to the Universal. It still maintains the 1.78 aspect ratio and is anamorphic and dual-layered. It is much brighter but skins tones are a shade redder. I'm not a fan of boosting but weighing the benefits in this case I lean towards the Meridian release for image.

Audio - the older Universal release has an optional DTS track which may be preferable to some keen on that choice. To me the LionsGate's 5.1 sounded quite adept - some dramatic instances of separation but the film doesn't lend itself to dynamic rear channel action although the orchestral and solo violin music is, at times, brilliant. John Corigliano's, Oscar winning, original music score is brilliantly performed by Joshua Bell. NOTE: All three releases have burned in subtitles for the non-English dialogue and all three offer optional English for the entire film's verbiage. But the music is really the star of this lovely film.

Supplements easily lean to the new Meridian release with an optional commentary by Co-Writer/Director François Girard and Co-writer/actor Don McKellar. Honesty though, they don't seem exceptionally prepared and neither really takes the lead although Girard eventually does. His Quebecois accent is quite audible. Plenty of gaps and simple remembrances but I wasn't overwhelmed by informative discussion.

Now I could be very well mistaken here but I don't think the advertised (even on the menu screen) short film 'Chaconne' (a 2005 French film about ballet - from IMdb) is the one I played from the Special Features menu. When I click that menu option I see an 18 minute film on music with composer John Corigliano discussing his role in creating the music for a film (specifically The Red Violin). It also has not won any awards, unless the actual name of this featurette is 'The Oscar Winning Chaconne' which, I guess, makes more sense. It is interesting especially more so for those in the field of music. Corigliano talks of Bach and Joshua Bell (who also has input). There is another featurette entitled 'The Auction Block' which is an fascinating look at very old violins and there international value through the auction process. It's 18 minutes long and I enjoyed the education. Finally there is a trailer.

I LOVE this film very much - it is beautiful and works through a wonderful adventure spanning time and many unique geographical locations. I'm so glad a decent DVD edition has finally come to light after almost 10 years. I strongly recommend it and the new Meridian DVD appears to be the definitive edition to own and enjoy. Yes, buy now.

Gary Tooze


Menus

Alliance Atlantis DVD

(Universal LEFT vs. Lions Gate (Meridian) - RIGHT)

 
 
 

 

Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Alliance Atlantis - Region 1 - NTSC TOP
2) Universal/MCA - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND
3) Lions Gate (Meridian) Region 1 - NTSC
THIRD

4) Alliance Atlantis - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


 

DVD Box Covers

 

Distribution Alliance Atlantis
Region 1 - NTSC
Universal
Region 1 - NTSC
Lions Gate (Meridian Collection)
Region 1 - NTSC
Alliance Atlantis
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray



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