The Return Blu-ray - Vladimir Moiseenko

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

(aka 'The Return' or 'Vozvrashchenie')

Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev
Russia 2003

Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev makes his feature debut with this haunting, poignant family drama. Teenage brothers Andrei (Vladimir Garin) and Ivan (Ivan Dobronravov) have lived with their mother (Natalya Vdovina) and grandmother (Galina Petrova) for as long as they can remember when their long-lost father (Konstantin Lavronenko) suddenly turns up after a twelve-year absence. While Andrei seems happy to see him, the younger Ivan is reluctant and suspicious of his father's motives. The three take a boat to a deserted island in a remote lake in the north of Russia - a trip which turns into an endurance test as the boys struggle to come to terms with their father's presence and cruel, mysterious ways.

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Theatrical Release: August 2003 (Locarno Film Festival)

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Comparison:

Artificial Eye - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Artificial Eye - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - LEFT

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Cover
Distribution	Artificial Eye - Region 'B' - Blu-ray	Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:50:16.958	1:50:31.666
Video	Disc Size: 42,958,817,774 bytes Feature Size: 28,767,553,536 bytes Average Bitrate: 28.59 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video	Disc Size: 45,270,569,736 bytes Feature Size: 35,815,968,768 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.92 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate: AE Blu-ray
Bitrate: Kino Blu-ray
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio Russian 2065 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2065 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) LPCM Audio Russian 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit	DTS-HD Master Audio Russian 3923 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3923 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio Russian 1978 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1978 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	English, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Artificial Eye Disc Size: 42,958,817,774 bytes Feature Size: 28,767,553,536 bytes Average Bitrate: 28.59 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • The Return - A film about a film (63 mins) • Trailer Blu-ray Release Date: April 16th, 2018 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Kino Disc Size: 45,270,569,736 bytes Feature Size: 35,815,968,768 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.92 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Interview with director Andrey Zvyagintsev (12:42) • The Return: A Film About the Film (2004, 1:03:31) • Trailers Blu-ray Release Date: June 26th, 2018 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 9

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino - June 2018: Kino give us the impressive Andrey Zvyagintsev debut film, The Return, on a 1080p dual-layered Blu-ray with a maxed out bitrate. The film has a larger file size than the previous Artificial Eye disc, as well as a higher bitrate. The film's image looks very similar in photo comparisons, but the Kino disc is slightly more impressive when viewing the film in motion. This is most likely from the same source. The grain formation is slightly different but this is hardly noticeable. Colors look the same, and I would easily recommend either version as an example of a great transfer, though the Kino has a slight edge.

Kino also gives us a slightly more robust audio track here, with a 5.1 DTS-HD Russian audio track in 24-bit (vs Artificial Eye's 16 bit track). The modest effects and subtle separation sounds slightly more well-rounded on the Kino disc, though they are both impressive tracks. There is also the option of a 2.0 Russian DTS-HD audio track (as opposed to AE's 2.0 linear PCM at only 16-bit). There are optional English subtitles on this region 'A' Blu-ray.

The previously available (also on the Artificial Eye region 'B' Blu-ray) 63-minute making-of documentary, "The Return: A Film About the Film" also appears here. There is a new extra here, an interview with Zvyagintsev, running just under 13 minutes. Also included are the film's trailer, as well as trailers for 2 other films by Zvyagintsev (The Banishment, and Elena).

The film is a masterpiece and while the Kino Blu-ray nudges ahead in all areas - both packages have immense value as the film is so deserved of its audience. Buy with confidence and see this film!

Colin Zavitz

***

Artificial Eye have brought Andrey Zvyagintsev's cinema masterwork The Return to Blu-ray. The 1080P transfer is on a dual-layered disc with a high bitrate. The image has a strong teal-leaning. Film grain is prevalent and supports the presentation well. There is some wonderful cinematography by Mikhail Krichman is exported impressively by the HD resolution.

The Artificial Eye Blu-ray has the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround audio track (16-bit) or a linear PCM Stereo track - both in the original Russian language. There are modest effects - and some separations from the natural world that are exported subtly. The score by Andrey Dergachev (Leviathan) adds drama and works beautifully within the film. There are optional English subtitles (see sample) offered on Artificial Eye's Region 'B' Blu-ray disc.

Artificial Eye include an hour-long 'making of' with behind-the-scenes footage - in Russian with English subtitles. There is also a theatrical trailer.

A powerful and sensitive film that benefits from its low budget roots. There is a poetic edge to the story's tragedy and The Return is very worthy of being labeled a masterpiece. The Artificial Eye Blu-ray offers a lot for fans who want to see the unforgettable film in HD and indulge in the lengthy supplement. The Return has our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze

Artificial Eye - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

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