|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
|
|
Samson and Delilah [Blu-ray]
(Warwick Thornton, 2009)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: CAAMA Productions Video: Trinity Films
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:40:44.038 Disc Size: 23,755,535,727 bytes Feature Size: 18,861,210,048 bytes Video Bitrate: 17.99 Mbps Chapters: 12 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: June 21st, 2010
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3360 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3360 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles: English for Aboriginal dialogue, none
Extras:
• Q + A with Warwick Thornton (11:17)
Bitrate:
Description: Samson and Delilah's world is small--an isolated community in the Central Australian desert. When tragedy strikes they turn their backs on home and embark on a journey of survival. Lost, unwanted and alone they discover that life isn't always fair, but love never judges. A winner of numerous international awards, Samson and Delilah marks the emergence of a major new talent in writer/ director Warwick Thornton. Offering a rare insight into the issues confronting the youth of a lost generation of Aborigines, it has already been hailed by critics as the one of the greatest films ever to come out of Australia.
The Film:
Warwick Thornton’s debut feature, Samson And Delilah, has
‘important’ written all over it. It’s a tag that almost put me off
completely. The Australian press temporarily disappeared into spasms of
ecstasy on its release, proclaiming the movie to be one of the best and
most important films the country has ever made. Indeed, the film’s
depiction of a shunned, perhaps forgotten, Aborigine culture is
unparalleled.
While Samson and Delilah reaches Blu-ray on a pragmatic 1.78:1 single-layered transfer - the 1080P rendering nonetheless exports the film's extensive beauty. Colors are vibrant and bright and contrast exhibits healthy, rich black levels. A lot of the film has a hand-held, jittery, camera but when things become more stable the detail has impressive moments. The film has some exquisite visuals and cinematography is a definite strong point. Moods overflow from the image heavy sequences. This Trinity Films Blu-ray has minimal noise and no major flaws and probably looks like the film Samson and Delilah did in its Festival run - advancing handily beyond SD-DVD in several key areas - notably detail, contrast and colors.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :It's a competent DTS-HD Master 5.1 track at 3360 kbps. Background music is not utilized excepting a couple of scenes but there is some 'live' music (band performing and radios playing) - intentional feedback is piercing in one scene. The dialogue sparse but clear and audible. The film's aura is best supported in the silent moments. There is rare separation. Subtitles exist for the brief Aboriginal dialogue. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras :There are quite a number of extra features including a 10-minute Q + A with director/writer Warwick Thornton, 20-minutes worth of interviews with Warwick Thornton, Kath Shelper, Marissa Gibson, and Rowan McNamara, some Behind the Scenes material and most notably Four Short Films by Director Warwick Thornton (Greenbush, Payback, Nana and Mimi) running just under an hour in total. There is a UK Theatrical trailer and a Survival International trailer. So, no commentary but quite a lot of video supplements to indulge in and many may find something new and intriguing with the director's short works that are offered.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze June 17th, 2010
|
|
About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. So be
it, but film will always be my first love and I list my
favorites on the old YMdb site now accessible
HERE. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD
Player APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V Gary W. Tooze
HD-DVD STORE HIGH DEFINITION DVD STORE
ALL OUR NEW FORMAT DVD REVIEWS
|
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Thank You!
