Review by Brian Montgomery
Studio:
Theatrical: TVP S.A.
Blu-ray: Artificial Eye (spine # 009)
Disc:
Region: FREE!
(as verified by the
Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)
Runtime: 2:01:47.758
Disc Size: 35,410,353,536 bytes
Feature Size: 21,827,426,304 bytes
Video Bitrate: 19.93 Mbps
Chapters: 17
Case: Standard Blu-ray case
Release date: March 22nd, 2010
Video:
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio Polish 1931 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1931
kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio Polish 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
/ DN -4dB
Subtitles:
English, none
Extras:
• The Making of Katyn (27:00)
• Interview with Andrzej Wajda (49:34)
• Theatrical Trailer
• Trailer Gallery
The Film:
In 1940, some 15,000 officers of the Polish
army were rounded up, transported in sealed
buses to a forest named Katyn, shot in the
back of their heads by the Russian KGB and
buried in mass graves. That is the simple
truth. When the nation was occupied by both
the Nazis and Soviets, their deaths were
masked in silence. Then the Nazis dug up the
graves and blamed the deaths on the Soviets.
After the defeat of Hitler and the Soviet
occupation of Poland, history was rewritten
and the official version blamed the massacre
on the Nazis.
One of the officers murdered that day was
Jakub Wajda, whose son Andrzej would become
a leading Polish film director, and one of
the chroniclers of the Solidarity movement.
Now 82, Andrzej has evoked what happened
that day and how it infected Polish society
for 50 years. Reflect that everyone in
Poland knew the truth of the massacre, but
to lie about it became an official
requirement under the Soviet-controlled
regime. Thus, in some cases, to gain
immunity or advancement in postwar Poland
required parents and children, brothers and
sisters of the dead to remain silent about
their fates.
Excerpt of review from Roger Ebert located
HERE
Image:
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
The image on the recent
Blu-ray
of "Katyn" from UK based Artificial Eye is
yet another example of the outstanding work
that the company has been putting into their
recent releases. Although the overpriced,
Koch Lorber, SD-DVD was originally released
last year in a heavily cropped 1.78:1 (and
interlaced - reviewed
HERE),
this HD edition restores the film to its
theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. What's
more, the image on the disc is again very
impressive with minutely sharp detail,
crystal clarity, gorgeous grain levels, and
colors that are well suited to their
environments without any sign of over
saturation or muting. All in all, it's
another stellar job and one that I can't
even find one little thing to complain
about.
Audio & Music:
I know that I might sound like a broken
record at this point, but the audio here is
very, very strong as well. AE gives their
viewers the choice between listening to the
film in its original Polish using either
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 or Dolby Digital
5.1. Again, both do a competent job, but
it's the former that does the better job.
The HD track sounds virtually flawless on my
system and captures ever minute detail that
the soundtrack has to offer. Also included
are optional English subtitles that always
readable and never obstructed the image.
Finally, I'm happy to say that this disc is
region free!
Extras:
Aside from a series of trailers, the disc
comes with two lengthy extras. First up is
another "making of..." documentary that
offer a tremendous amount of insight into
the production of the film using both raw
footage and talking heads. Second, the disc
also boasts a 50 minute long interview that
is an absolute must watch for anyone
interested in this film, Wajda's career, or
even Polish history. It's really essential
viewing.
Bottom line:
This is the latest masterpiece from Wajda
and should be owned by anyone interested in
his work. Here he once again shows why he's
generally considered to be the master of
Polish cinema, and the disc does a
stupendous job translating his vision for
home viewing. Once again, I give this my
highest possible recommendation and consider
it to be essential for most DVD collections.
On a side note, I've now gone through five
Blu-Rays that I've recently been sent by
Artificial Eye for review, and I must say
that I've been enormously impressed with
each one of them. Not only are they
currently putting out some of the most
important works of contemporary cinema
(along with many classics from the great
auteurs of Europe), but they're consistently
releasing them in excellent packages.
Although they did face some problems in the
past, this is one company that cinephiles
should keep their eyes on. With their recent
spat of releases, they've become one of the
most important and relevant production
companies working today and their HD
releases are on the same level as those from
other companies like Criterion, MoC, or BFI.
Brian Montgomery
May 4th, 2010