directed
by Jane Campion
Australia/New Zealand/France 1993
"The
Piano" plays itself with such contrapuntal richness, it resonates in you
forever. Set in 19th-century New Zealand, this saga of will, destiny and passion
starring Holly Hunter is an extraordinary symphony of sounds and silence, of
lilting pleasure and tangled horror.
There's something mystically compelling about writer/director Jane Campion's
1993 Cannes winner. On one level, it's a fairy tale for adults. But on others,
it evokes powerful eroticism, sexual mustiness, emotional anguish and numerous
other themes.
Ada (Hunter), a severe-expressioned, handsome woman, has just arrived in New
Zealand with 9-year-old, illegitimate daughter Flora (Anna Paquin), luggage and
her precious piano in tow. By arrangement, she is to marry Stewart (Sam Neill),
a genial, tight-lipped landowner. We know almost immediately that Ada is
voluntarily mute. She has chosen not to speak -- as Ada tells us in her "mind's
voice" narration -- since the age of 6. She communicates by writing notes (on
paper taken from a wallet-sized locket around her neck) or, with her daughter,
by signing. The piano -- which Stewart and his Maori helpers balk at moving --
is her voice and identity.
When Stewart refuses to accept the piano, he sets off a protracted war of wills,
jealousy and passion. Illiterate Scottish neighbor Baines (Harvey Keitel),
touched when he hears Ada play the instrument on the beach, offers land for the
piano -- with lessons from Ada. To Ada's horror, Stewart agrees.
Baines's designs, it turns out, are less than musically appreciative. He merely
orders her to perform, while he does "certain things" in the ominous background.
He bargains further: With each of these bizarre sessions representing one black
key, she can earn back the piano. Before the ultimate repossession, however, the
emotional climate between them changes.
Excerpt from Desson Howe's review at the Washington Post located
HERE.
Posters
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Theatrical Release Date: May 15th, 1993 - Cannes Film Festival
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Artisan- Region 0 - NTSC vs. EiV (UK) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL vs. Optimum (Special Edition) Region 2 - PAL
Big thanks to Andrey Diment for both sets of R2 - PAL Screen Caps!
(Artisan - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT -. EiV (UK) - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
Artisan Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
Entertainment in Video Region 2 - PAL |
Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Optimum - Region 2- PAL RIGHT
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Optimum Region 2 - PAL |
| Distribution |
Artisan Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
Entertainment in Video Region 2 - PAL |
Best Film Region 2 - PAL |
Optimum Region 2 - PAL |
| Runtime | 2:00:44 | 1:54:48 (4% PAL Speedup) | 1:55:48 (4% PAL Speedup) | 1:55:48 (4% PAL Speedup) |
| Video |
1.85:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Best Film |
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Optimum |
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| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) | English DTS ES, English DD5.1 EX, DUB: Polish DD 2.0 |
English 2.0, English 5.1 |
| Subtitles | None | English, none | Polish, none | English, none |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Artisan Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Widescreen letterbox - 1.85:1 Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Edition Details: DVD
Release Date: 1999 Chapters 36 |
Release Information:
DVD Release Date: 30 August, 1999 Keep Case
Chapters 12
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Release Information:
Aspect Ratio:
•Text screens about the actors etc.
DVD Release Date: 2002 Click Case Chapters 20
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Release Information:
Aspect Ratio:
• 'Making of' (15:07) • Interviews with Campion and Chapman (1:15:51) • Interview with Michael Nyman (48:36)
DVD Release Date: February 6th, 2006 Transparent Double Slim Keep Case in cardboard box Chapters 16 |
| Comments: |
ADDITION: Optimum - Region 2 PAL - January 07': It is
very hard to say with absolute confidence which DVD image is most
accurate to the theatrical showing of this film. One thing we can do is
dismiss certain images based on deficiencies - artifacts, haze and manipulation.
Without reiterating the points made previously I believe the Optimum
appears to have the least flaws. It is tight to the screen edges and
maintains the 1.85 aspect ratio. It is anamorphic and progressive. It
has the least artifacts of all 4 compared. Colors appear true and not
overly bright. It is sharp. It looks very good. Both 2.0 Stereo and 5.1
(not original) tracks are available on the Optimum. Both were tested and
sounded clean and strong.
NOTE: I am usually not overly sensitive to PAL speedup but did notice Hunter, Neill and Keitel voices sounding a tad higher in pitch than usual. Fittingly the extras offered on the 2-disc Optimum Special Edition are equally as good. On disc one we are given a full commentary with director Campion and producer Chapman sharing many technical details of the film. They are generous with compliments to cast and crew. It is a fairly extensive and revealing commentary. Disc 2 has two interviews - first Campion and Chapman - actually individual interviews with Campion's running an hour - Chapman's about 15 minutes. There is some crossover from the commentary. It is quite good relating many more factoids of production/creation. This is actually a supplement licensed from the French TF1 Vidéo DVD package. Next there is a 48-minute interview with Michael Nyman who composed the incredible score for the film. He discusses details like his research into Scottish folk songs for The Piano and admiration for actress Holly Hunters pianist abilities. There is also a relatively short "Making of.." segment with Campion again (about 15 minutes) and a theatrical trailer. Overall a great release from Optimum- the best DVD release of this wonderful film that I have seen to date. NOTE: There is a French DVD (with a strong image) but it has non-removable French subtitles.
**** This is a good example
of the lengths that DVD production companies can affect change in film
presentation when they adjust
color. The three versions, none of which I can recommend, each have a
major flaw - "Greenish tinge and artefacts" (Artisan), "Washed out
and hazy"
(Entertainment in Video) and "Over contrasted and edge enhancement" (Best
Film).
Although the Artisan Region 0 NTSC is the only one that is not
anamorphic (and it is the oldest) it still has the sharpest image
quality. the colors of the Region 0 Artisan are the most vibrant. NOTE:
the Region 2 PAL DVDs are both slightly horizontally cropped to
accommodate the 16X9 enhancement.
NOTE:
I have been informed that the UK version of the PIANO (EiV) has also an
technical problem. The picture "pumps" all the time. Approx.
there are 4-5 frames sharp, and after that 1 frame out of focus, and
then again 4-5 frames sharp and 1 out of focus. You see it very clearly
if you focus on the picture on a wall or when the movement are stopped.
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DVD Menus
(Artisan - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT -. EiV (UK) - Region
2 - PAL MIDDLE -. Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)
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Menus - Optimum (Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL
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Screen Captures
(Artisan - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP -. EiV (UK) - Region 2 - PAL 2nd -. Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL 3rd vs. Optimum (Special Edition) Region 2 - PAL- BOTTOM)
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(Artisan - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP -. EiV (UK) - Region 2 - PAL 2nd -. Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL 3rd vs. Optimum (Special Edition) Region 2 - PAL- BOTTOM)
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(Artisan - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP -. EiV (UK) - Region 2 - PAL 2nd -. Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL 3rd vs. Optimum (Special Edition) Region 2 - PAL- BOTTOM)
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(Artisan - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP -. EiV (UK) - Region 2 - PAL 2nd -. Best Film (Poland) Region 2 - PAL 3rd vs. Optimum (Special Edition) Region 2 - PAL- BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Optimum |
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Sound: |
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| Extras: | Optimum |
| Menu: | Best Film Region 2 |
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DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Artisan Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
Entertainment in Video Region 2 - PAL |
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| Best Film Region 2 - PAL |
Optimum Region 2 - PAL |
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