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directed by Terry George
Canada / UK / Italy / South Africa 2004

 

In contemporary cinema, few movies are as wise or as observant of society as Hotel Rwanda, which takes the time to weave insight about the current world into its already strong narrative arc. The standard good film, nowadays, will have a few references to politics and society, but they are rarely as meaningful as those in Hotel Rwanda. The movie takes the heartbreak of a story and uses it to make viewers realize the parallels it draws. Not many of us in The United States know much, if anything, about the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 (at least those who haven’t seen this picture), and that makes the historical event all the more tragic. When viewers leave Hotel Rwanda, they will not only have a strong emotional reaction towards its moving conclusion, but will also be considering every subject it opens for discussion, such as the worthiness (or lack thereof) of the United Nations’ involvement in world affairs and the biases of the media and their very questionable motivations in choosing which stories to publish.

Excerpt of Danny's comments at Bucket Reviews located HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release: September 11th, 2004 - Toronto Film Festival

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Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

DVD Box Cover

Significantly cheaper at Amazon Canada:

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC MGM Home Video - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 2:01:36 2:01:51.178
Video 2.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.51 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

Disc Size: 43,968,491,532 bytes

Feature Size: 39,793,827,840 bytes

Total Bitrate: 35.84 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:  DVD

Bitrate:  Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 5.1), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) DTS-HD Master Audio English 4223 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4223 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround
Subtitles English, Spanish, French , None English (SDH), Spanish, French , None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 2.33:1

Edition Details:

• A Message for Peace: Making Hotel Rwanda" documentary
• "Return to Rwanda" documentary
• Commentary by director Terry George and the real-life subject of the film, Paul Rusesabagina
• Selected scene commentary by actor Don Cheadle
• Select commentary by musician Wyclef Jean

DVD Release Date: April 12th, 2005

Keep Case
Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Home Video

Disc Size: 43,968,491,532 bytes

Feature Size: 39,793,827,840 bytes

Total Bitrate: 35.84 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC

Edition Details:

• A Message for Peace: Making Hotel Rwanda" documentary
• "Return to Rwanda" documentary
• Commentary by director Terry George and the real-life subject of the film, Paul Rusesabagina
• Selected scene commentary by actor Don Cheadle
• Select commentary by musician Wyclef Jean

• Theatrical trailer

Blu-ray Release Date: May 10th, 2011
Standard
Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 24

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: MGM Blu-ray May 11': Firstly - this is from MGM yet only presentably listed in Canada (at a significant savings).

Not much to say on the image - it is almost 7 times the bitrate of the lesser SD format. It tightens up with stronger detail and adds some impressive depth. Colors seem the same but the improved sharpness is highly evident. Powerful audio in the form of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a whopping 4223 kbps. There is aggressive depth when necessary and has some subtle separations. I suspect it is a flawless representation of the theatrical. Same subtitle options and extras with the excellent documentaries and the commentary(s).

This film, Hotel Rwanda, didn't seem to get the respect it deserves - it's near masterpiece status. This dual-layered Blu-ray is very strong and at a give-away price - don't miss out!   

***

ON THE DVD: Good DVD of an important film. MGM has exceeded their current output of weak transfers with no extras. Colors are beautiful, lines are tight, contrast is good (for the format). The 5.1 audio is excellent. Commentary is somewhat ineffectual, but at least there is one. Overall a worthy purchase.  out of       

Gary W. Tooze

 


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1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

 
 

 


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Subtitle Sample

 

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

Screen Captures

 

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


More Blu-ray Captures

 

DVD Box Cover

Significantly cheaper at Amazon Canada:

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC MGM Home Video - Region 'A' - Blu-ray




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