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(aka "Das Parfum-- Die Geschichte eines Mörders" or "Le Parfum--Histoire d'un meurtrier" or "El Perfume--Historia de un asesino")

 

directed by Tom Tykwer
Germany 2006

 

It is in the nature of creatures like Grenouille (I suppose) that they have no friends. Indeed he has few conversations, and they are rudimentary. His life, as it must be, is almost entirely interior, so Twyker provides a narrator (John Hurt) to establish certain events and facts. Even then, the film is essentially visual, not spoken, and does a remarkable job of establishing Grenouille and his world. We can never really understand him, but we and cannot tear our eyes away.

Perfume begins in the stink of the gutter and remains dark and brooding. To rob a person of his scent is cruel enough, but the way it is done in this story is truly macabre. Still it can be said that Grenouille is driven by the conditions of his life and the nature of his spirit. Also, of course, that he may indeed be the devil’s spawn.
 

Excerpt from Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times located HERE

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Theatrical Release: 7 September 2006

Reviews                                                        More Reviews                                                               DVD Reviews

 

DVD Review: Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC

Big thanks to David McCoy for the Review!

DVD Box Cover

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Distribution

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime 147 min
Video

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.88 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

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

Audio Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 2.0 surround English
Subtitles Optional English, French, Spanish
Features Release Information:
Studio: Paramount

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• The Story of Perfume
• previews for other movies

DVD Release Date: 24 July 2007
 Keepcase

Chapters 17

 

 

 

Comments:

Video:
Despite the mid-range bit rate of 5.88 Mbps, the picture is frequently breathtaking. Both the squalor and the beauty of historical France are represented with sharp, vivid images. Like most movies today, this one was probably processed into a computer at a very early stage, so there are no problems with physical damage to the film print. Reds, purples, and violets are outstanding. This is probably one of the best SD-DVD video presentations that I’ve ever seen.

Audio:
Perfume is generally a quiet mood piece since the subject is a stealthy serial killer, so the Dolby Digital 5.1 English track is suitably subdued for most of the movie. The outdoors sequences have effective ambient noises, and the climax features a crowd scene that envelops the viewer in a swell of human voices shouting from every direction.

You can also watch the movie with a DD 2.0 surround English track (recommended if you don’t have a Dolby Digital 5.1 set-up). Optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles as well as optional English closed captions support the audio.

Extras:
The only feature-related extra is “The Story of Perfume”, a superficial recounting of the movie’s genesis. The talking heads clips are rather embarrassing, with Ben Whishaw talking about Tom Tykwer as if Tykwer were one of the greatest directors of all time.

There are also previews for other movies, including Zodiac (also about a serial killer).

 - David McCoy

 


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DVD Box Cover

CLICK to order from:
Distribution

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC




 

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