Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video (same for both):

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio French 3313 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3313 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

• New interviews with Denis (24:12 in 1080P) and actors Isabelle Huppert (14:21 - in 1080P) and Isaach de Bankolé (13:09 in 1080P)
• Short documentary by Denis on the film’s premiere at the 2010 Écrans Noirs Film Festival in Cameroon (12:29 in 1080i)
• Deleted scene (2:12 in 1080i)
• Theatrical trailer (1:47 in 1080P)
• 24-page booklet featuring a new essay by film writer Amy Taubin

Bitrate:

Description: In this drama directed and co-written by Claire Denis, Isabelle Huppert plays Maria, a white woman living in an African nation that has been falling into political chaos. Maria owns a coffee plantation, and regards her property as her personal domain; she would rather fight that give up her land, though her stubborn attitude prevents her from admitting that she's putting those close to her in danger.

***

In White Material, the great contemporary French filmmaker Claire Denis, known for her restless, intimate dramas, introduces an unforgettably crazed character. Played by a ferocious Isabelle Huppert, Maria is an entitled white woman living in Africa, desperately unwilling to give up her family’s crumbling coffee plantation despite the civil war closing in on her. Created with Denis’ signature full-throttle visual style, which places the viewer at the center of the maelstrom, White Material is a gripping evocation of the death throes of European colonialism and a fascinating look at a woman lost in her own mind.

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from Matthew Turner of ViewLondon located HERE

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

Having watched the DVD (reviewed HERE) and then Blu-ray on consecutive nights - on the same system - I'm in a good position to assess the visual superiority of the 1080P transfer. The high-definition image quality, from Artificial Eye in the UK, is significantly stronger than the SD edition. The Blu-ray supports the film's visuals attributes so much more adeptly. This is notable in both the many, tighter, close-ups, the dimensional African terrain and many static, lingering, detail shots. It has a sense of depth where the DVD was more flat. While only single-layered it presents a strong image and the exact type of films I would like to see in the higher resolution. The DVD didn't have an unusual amount of digital noise but in this area the BD is definitely smoother.

The Criterion is dual-layered with a higher bitrates and has richer colors, better contrast and is somewhat darker. The Criterion is advertised as "a new digital transfer, supervised and approved by director Claire Denis and cinematographer Yves Cape". It advances a step beyond the Artificial Eye on the visual front. 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Artificial Eye - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

 

The Blu-ray sports two options for the audio - a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at a 1746 kbps and a lossless stereo choice - also a DTS-HD Master at a lesser 804 kbps. The film itself isn't audibly aggressive but there are a few moments where the more subtle separations to the rear speakers make their presence known. The dialogue is very clean and audible and there are optional English subtitles (sample below). My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Audio on the region 'A'-locked Criterion has a technical advantage but your ability to differentiate may depend on your systems or ears. It is lossless, clean and crisp and the optional English subtitles are less intrusive (see captures above.)

Extras :

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
White Material held up very well on second viewing. I still rank this film very highly - and my DVD viewing comments are still viable - "Amazing and impressive film from Claire Denis. Wow.... 'Festival queen' Huppert (incredibly 14 films, so far in her career, in official competition at Cannes) is, predictably, nothing short of magnificent.... This is a good story handled incredibly well by both Denis and Huppert. There is a haunting edge that is never overplayed. It touches all the right areas too - with politics, suspense, pride and humanity as key building blocks to the evolution of the film-story." It's a super film to own on Blu-ray in my opinion. Worthy of multiple re-visitations... and we recommend!

 

Still a great film on re-visitation after almost 6 months and Criterion have included viable extras as an adjunct to their competent transfer. If you haven't seen this film - we strongly recommend and the Criterion is the ultimate way to view the film in your home theater - marginally advancing the earlier-released UK disc. We don't suggest a double-dip, if you already own the AE, but the US package is the superior one. 

Gary Tooze

November 17th, 2010

April 7th, 2011