The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka "The Navigator: A Time-Travel Adventure")

directed by Vincent Ward
Australia/New Zealand 1988

Following the release of his 1984 debut feature Vigil, Vincent Ward returned four years later with The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey, a film that would cement his position as one of the most exciting filmmaking talents to emerge during the eighties.

Cumbria, 1348 the year of the Black Death. Griffin, a young boy, is plagued by apocalyptic visions which he believes could save his village. Encouraging a small band of men to tunnel into the earth, they surface in 1980s New Zealand and a future beyond their comprehension but must complete their quest.

Nominated for the Palme d Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey is a bold and often startling fusion of medieval fantasy and time travel science fiction, quite unlike anything you ve seen.

Posters

Theatrical Release: 15 December 1988 (Australia)

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Comparison:

Hen's Tooth Video - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Arrow Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Eric Cotenas and for the DVD Screen Caps!

(Hen's Tooth Video - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Arrow Video - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT)

Box Covers
Distribution	Hen's Tooth Video Region 1 - NTSC	Arrow Video Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:31:30	1:31:30.735
Video	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.64 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	Disc Size: 38,012,738,568 bytes Feature Size: 26,738,987,136 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.87 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Videos
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Arrow Video Blu-ray
Audio	English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo	LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles	English SDH, none	English SDH, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Hen's Tooth Video Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer (16:9; 2:29) DVD Release Date: Amaray Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Arrow Video Disc Size: 38,012,738,568 bytes Feature Size: 26,738,987,136 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.87 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Videos Edition Details: • Brand-new appreciation by film critic Nick Roddick, recorded exclusively for this release (9:02) • Kaleidoscope: Vincent Ward Film Maker, a 1989 documentary profile of the director made for New Zealand television (29:18) • Theatrical trailer (2:25) • FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kim Newman and an introduction by Vincent Ward Blu-ray Release Date: July 23rd - 24th, 2018 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 13

More New Zealand Cinema on Blu-ray:

*Lost and Found: American Treasures from the New Zealand Film Archive* (1914- 1927)	*Heavenly Creatures* (1971)	Sleeping Dogs (1977)	*Smash Palace* (1981)	The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1984)	*Vigil* (1984)

*The Quiet Earth* (1985)	*An Angel at My Table* (1990)	*Dead Alive* (1992)	The Piano (1993)	*Once Were Warriors* (1994)	*Top of the Lake* (2012)

Comments

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

ADDITION: Arrow - Region FREE- Blu-ray - July 18': "The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey" is simultaneously released on Blu-ray in the UK and North America by Arrow. The UK and US discs are absolutely identical which means that no matter which package you buy, the discs will play in any Region A or B setup. The booklets are also identical, but there are minor cosmetic differences on the disc labels and sleeve to do with differing copyright info and barcodes, and the US release doesn't have BBFC logos.

The 1080p transfer is housed on dual-layered Blu-ray with a maxed out bitrate. The film offers a very textured, grain-rich, black and white image through the first half, and sporadically afterward with the rest in color. The image has a very pleasing amount of detail and, as you can see by our matched captures, advances handily beyond the SD DVD image. Detail and grain support are the biggest beneficiaries through this strong Blu-ray presentation.

The original English track is provided here in linear PCM (24-bit). The various effects come through flat but with surprising depth. The score is by Davood Ardalan Tabrizi adding a unique cultural flavor sounding tight in the uncompressed. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on this Region Free Blu-ray Disc.

Supplements have a brand-new 9-minute appreciation by film critic Nick Roddick, recorded by Arrow and he provides solid information. Kaleidoscope: Vincent Ward Film Maker is a 1989 1/2 hour documentary profile of the director made for New Zealand television. It features interviews with some of the actors and writers who have worked with him and a visit to his parent's farmhouse. There is also a theatrical trailer and the first pressing gets an illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kim Newman and an introduction by Vincent Ward.

This is a unique and very pleasing adventure with historical overtones. I really enjoyed it - as I did the Arrow extras. Another super film out of New Zealand! This Blu-ray is certainly recommended!