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

ADDITION: Radiance Blu-ray (June 2025): Radiance have transferred Luchino Visconti's La Terra Trema to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "2K restoration of the film by Cineteca Nazionale". We reviewed the Entertainment One DVD in 2012 HERE., where I stated (13 years ago) "This film is an absolute masterpiece and it REALLY deserves better - a Blu-ray would be appreciated. It looks like the source elements are decent but this SD transfer is... unfortunate." So we have a Blu-ray. Thank you Radiance. It's easily apparent to see the superiority of the 1080P transfer. G.R. Aldo’s (Senso, Terminal Station, Umberto D., Miracle in Milan) cinematography merges neorealist authenticity with Visconti’s operatic sensibility. Shot entirely on location in Aci Trezza, Sicily, the visuals capture the raw, unadorned beauty of the coastal village while conveying the oppressive weight of its inhabitants’ struggles. Visconti’s use of long takes and extended sequences immerses viewers in the community’s world, while the episodic pacing allows for a detailed exploration of both individual and collective experiences. The Blu-ray transfer preserves the film’s gritty neorealist texture, with rich contrasts that highlight the stark beauty of Aci Trezza’s rugged landscapes and weathered faces, from the blinding whites of the sea to the shadowy grays of cramped interiors. Fine details - such as the salt-crusted nets and the villagers’ worn clothing - are rendered with exceptional sharpness, while the natural film grain enhances the authenticity of Visconti’s vision. This restoration breathes new life into the film, making its poetic realism more immersive than ever. There is minor warping at the end of some scenes - but I didn't find it intrusive.

NOTE: We have added 52 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Radiance use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original Italian language. The audio transfer of La Terra Trema offers a clean and dynamic presentation that honors the film’s naturalistic sound design. The crashing waves, creaking boats, and village chatter are crisp and evocative, immersing viewers in the sensory world of Aci Trezza, while the Sicilian dialect spoken by the non-professional actors carries an authentic, raw emotional weight. Willy Ferrero’s (his only composition credit although he worked on other films, like Bicycle Thieves, in the 'music department') sparse, folk-inspired score is delicately balanced, its mournful tones enhancing the tragedy without overpowering the environmental sounds. Though the Italian voice-over narration can feel slightly intrusive, the lossless audio restoration ensures every sound - from the rhythmic labor to quiet moments of despair - resonates with clarity and impact. Radiance offer optional, newly translated, English subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Radiance Blu-ray offers supplements that deepen appreciation for La Terra Trema. A new interview with critic Christina Newland (She Found it at the Movies: Women Writers on Sex, Desire and Cinema,) running about a quarter of an hour, provides a compelling overview of the film’s genesis, production, and its ties to the Communist Party and neorealism movement, recorded exclusively for Radiance in March 2025. An archival interview from 2003 with Italian politician Pietro Ingrao (who participated in the Italian resistance movement,) lasting around a dozen minutes, offers a personal reflection on his long friendship and collaboration with Visconti. Another archival piece from the same year features director and screenwriter Francesco Rosi (Illustrious Corpses, Salvatore Giuliano, Christ Stopped at Eboli, Hands Over the City,) also around a dozen minutes, recalling his first job in cinema as Visconti’s assistant director on the film. A brief interview with filmmaker and journalist Turi Vasile (Fellini's Roma,) spanning a few minutes, shares memories of attending the premiere alongside the cast. Additionally, a gallery of archival images and a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow add visual flair, while a limited edition booklet with new and archival writing provides further scholarly context, making this a robust package for cinephiles.

Luchino Visconti's La Terra Trema is a cornerstone of Italian neorealism, a sweeping yet intimate epic that portrays the struggles of a Sicilian fishing family against systemic economic oppression. Rooted in the principles of neorealism - location shooting, non-professional actors, and a focus on the working class - the film transcends documentary realism to achieve a poetic, almost operatic tragedy. The exploration of class, community, and resilience offers a universal yet specific critique of systemic injustice. This Radiance Blu-ray release is a must-own for fans of Italian cinema, celebrating La Terra Trema as a timeless, gut-wrenching portrait of class struggle and resilience, its visual and sonic effectiveness matched by a thoughtful array of supplementary materials that honor its legacy. It's the definitive digital release of Luchino Visconti’s neorealist masterpiece. It includes insightful interviews with Christina Newland, Pietro Ingrao, Francesco Rosi, and Turi Vasile, alongside a gallery, reversible sleeve, and a scholarly booklet, provide a rich exploration of the film’s historical and cinematic significance. Our highest recommendation.

Gary Tooze