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

ADDITION: Janus Contemporaries (Criterion) Blu-ray (November 2023): Janus Contemporaries have transferred Hlynur Pálmason's Godland to Blu-ray. "Janus Contemporaries releases Blu-ray and DVD editions of first-run films, fresh from theaters, in association with Criterion." The first slate offered Jafar Panahi's No Bears, Jerzy Skolimowski's EO and Louis Garrel's The Innocent. The 1080P image quality of Godland is some of the best I have seen in this format. The Iceland terrain is stunning. The visible rounded corners of the 1.33:1 frame are intentional, and the visuals contrast beautifully with the black bars on the sides. Despite it being a 'new' film I did see, very infrequent, frame-specific speckles that looked like white flecs. They weren't visible on my system viewing... only obtaining the screen captures. The, almost 2.5 hour films, is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. GORGEOUS!      

NOTE: We have added 66 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Janus Contemporaries (Criterion) use a robust DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) in the original Danish language with some Icelandic. Godland has a few aggressive moments that come through with surprising depth and a few discreet separations - usually of nature - the ocean, wind, horses, volcano lava, a distant barking dog etc. The, sparingly utilized, score is by Taiwanese-born Canadian musician and actor, Alex Zhang Hungtai. In addition to his given name, he makes music under the names Last Lizard and Dirty Beaches. His influences include the film music of Wong Kar-wai's cinema and, presumably, Taiwanese Tsai Ming Liang as one of his albums is entitled "Neon Gods of Lost Youth" (reminding me of Rebels of the Neon God.) Other music used in Godland include Thomas Laub's Det er hvidt herude performed by Vic Carmen Sonne, Magnús Þór Jónsson's Danmark er jeg født performed by Ingvar Sigurdsson, Poul Schierbeck's Studentersangerne performed by The Copenhagen University Choir etc.. It sounds clean and buoyant matching the visuals supportively. Janus Contemporaries offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Janus Contemporaries (Criterion) Blu-ray offer a 17-minute 'Meet the Filmmakers' episode with a new interview with director / writer Hlynur Pálmason. He was born in Iceland, but studied film in Copenhagen, Denmark. Pálmason is also a visual artist and is more interested in "the narrative style and flow of films" than the actual plots. Pálmason's daughter is Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir, who plays 'Ida' in Godland. There is also a trailer for the film. The package has a 4-page liner notes leaflet with color photos and an essay by Michael Joshua Rowin.

Hlynur Pálmason's Godland evokes Carl Theodor Dreyer's Ordet (which was based on a 1932 play by Danish Lutheran country priest - and the lead in Godland is Elliott Crosset Hove who plays Lucas, a Danish Lutheran country priest) and Day of Wrath with its stark, beautiful cinematography - here by Maria von Hausswolff - deliberate pacing, and theme of 'religious faith held at odds'. In the opening of Godland, text screens state that "A box was found in Iceland with seven wet plate photographs taken by a Danish priest. These images are the first photographs of the southeast coast. This film is inspired by these photographs." This is inaccurate, and the director / writer fabricated the story to provide inspiration in his creation process. Some wet plate photographs were created and used for the Godland's posters and seen in one shot of the film. Imagery of fascinating individual portraits, captured by first generation photography, and the awe-inspiring Icelandic landscapes add significantly the grandeur of the film that is rooted in simplicity. I believe I saw a masterpiece and this is the most recommended of the Janus Contemporaries Blu-ray package films to date. Don't hesitate. Watch this amazing film.

Gary Tooze