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

ADDITION: Janus Contemporaries Blu-ray (November 2023): Janus Contemporaries (Criterion) have transferred Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch's The Eight Mountains 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 The Eight Mountains is, likewise, excellent because it is: a) a modern film and b) has a max'ed out bitrate on a dual-layered disc. The scenery in the film is nothing shot of breathtaking - shot in the Italian Alps and Nepal - and this HD presentation is stellar in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

NOTE: We have added 64 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 Italian language. The Eight Mountains has no violence but there are some keen separations with potent bass via the lossless. The score is by Swedish singer-songwriter Daniel Norgren (his first feature soundtrack) - he both wrote and performed many tracks used in the film from his 2015 album Alabursy. He has been working through a small indie label called Superpuma Records since 2006. It matches the prosaic landscapes beautifully. Janus Contemporaries offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Janus Contemporaries Blu-ray offers a 20-minute 'Meet the Filmmakers' episode with a new interview with directors Charlotte Vandermeersch and Felix van Groeningen as they discuss their collaboration and the production. There is also a 1/4 hour 'The Making of “The Eight Mountains” - a new documentary featuring cast and crew and behind the scenes footage. Lastly there is a theatrical trailer. The package has a 4-page liner notes leaflet with an essay by Michael Joshua Rowin.

The title of Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch's "The Eight Mountains" is a reference to a concept in Buddhism, and ancient Indian cosmology, that the world is comprised of nine mountains and eight seas, specifically tallest mountain, Mount Sumeru, at the center and eight concentric mountain ranges that surround it. All these mountain ranges are made of gold except the outermost. The filmmakers co-adapted the screenplay from Paolo Cognetti's 2019, short book, The Eight Mountains: A Novel. It involves the friendship between two Italian boys from different backgrounds and how they connect with the contrasts and passions in their lives. As they grow to adulthood the landscape themes and male bonding become elegantly realized. "The Eight Mountains" is a beautiful poetic film making a wonderful examination of calmness and acceptance - a perfect choice to add to the Janus Contemporaries slate. The Blu-ray offers stunning rendered, idyllic visuals augmented by a peaceful score. There are informative extras. Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze