Theatrical: Universal Pictures

Video: Universal Home Video / LionsGate / Miramax

DTS-HD Master Audio English 4111 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4111 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentaries:

Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB

English, English (SDH), Spanish, none

• Commentary  with cast and crew

• Deleted Scenes (10:53 - 480i)

Bitrates:

 

 

Description: In this well-conceived Elizabethan comedy, writers Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman ask the question: Who was William Shakespeare's muse? The answer: Viola de Lesseps, a young noblewoman who dreams of acting on a man's stage. The screenwriters deliver a cleverly crafted scenario which beautifully illustrates both the early aspirations of the playwright, and a glimpse into the culture of Elizabethan theater. Colourful characters, like the Globe theater owner Henslow (played by Geoffrey Rush), the lead player in the troupe (Ben Affleck), and the Queen herself (Judi Dench), give the cast charm, wit, and feasibility. The young playwright who at the start of the film is experiencing writer's block bursts forth with a lyrical text inspired by the lovely and passionate Viola. Ultimately this film is about the making of a great play, but most importantly it is about the power of words.

***

Triumphant winner of 7 Academy Awards(R) -- including Best Picture -- this witty, sexy smash features Oscar(R)-winning Best Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (SLIDING DOORS, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) and an amazing cast that includes Academy Award-winners Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress), Geoffrey Rush (Best Actor -- SHINE), and Ben Affleck (GOOD WILL HUNTING, PEARL HARBOR). When Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes -- ELIZABETH) needs passionate inspiration to break a bad case of writer's block, a secret romance with the beautiful Lady Viola (Paltrow) starts the words flowing like never before! There are just two things he'll have to learn about his new love: not only is she promised to marry someone else, but she's successfully impersonating a man in order to play the lead in Will's latest production! A truly can't-miss motion picture event with outstanding critical acclaim to match its impressive collection of major awards -- everyone will love this funny behind-the-scenes look at the writing of the greatest love story ever told

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from Janet Maslin at the NY Times located HERE

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

Firstly, I have the Japanese Blu-ray release but can atest to this being the 'international version' - most probably with very little difference from the other Universal Blu-ray editions sold around the world. The exception is the Canadian Alliance edition which we have been told is region 'A'-locked, single-layered and bare-bones. This Japanese disc sports multiple subtle and DUB options and has an initial screen letting one choose from a list of countries for Menu languages. This Blu-ray from Universal looks solid. The feature takes up almost 40 Gig on the dual-layered disc and, hence, has a high video bitrate. There is a bit of consistent grain and a there is depth and detail. Skin tones seem a shade warm - contrast exhibits healthy, rich black levels. Daylight scenes are more impressive but nothing is overly dark. Colors (costumes) are very impressive. This Blu-ray is essentially flawless and exports a strong presentation - probably not far off the original theatrical appearance. Really - quite excellent visually.

Technically the discs are almost exactly the same (disc size, encode, bitrate etc.) and I can find no difference in the image quality between the Universal and the Lionsgate / Miramax transfer.

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

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP 2) Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

More Universal Captures

 

 

 

 

 

Audio sports a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a supportive 2684 kbps. Mostly dialogue driven with only a few effects - there is still some less-demonstrative separation and Stephen Warbeck's Oscar winning score is crisp and tight. Shakespeare in Love does not offer aggressive audio and hence depth and bass don't really come into play but the lossless track certainly opens-up the films soundstage compared to the DVD. The music, especially, seems to become a larger part pof the viewing experience. As stated there are DUB and plenty of subtitle options and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

The LionsGate / Miramax takes a slight edge in audio with a more robust DTS-HD Master track. I expect only a real fanatic would notice or care. The US edition loses the foreign language DUBs but keep some subtitle choices (not as many!) and is region 'A'-locked.

Extras :

 

Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

Lionsgate / Miramax - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I really enjoyed revisiting this film in 1080P. I had forgotten how well crafted, amusing and face-paced it is. Shakespeare in Love took some flack for beating films like Life is Beautiful and Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture in 98'. But this really is a great film - well written, performed (incredible supporting cast with Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Simon Callow, Ben Affleck etc.) and entertaining with some sly references. The Blu-ray does a great job and this is certainly a title that benefits from the improved video resolution and lossless sound. A wonderful film for this format. Strongly recommended!

The Japanese and European Blu-ray releases were solid and no need for improvement. LionsGate / Miramax have the license for Shakespeare in Love in US and this is, essentially a duplicate with only minor variances. Good thing is the price - less than $10 - an easy purchase in my mind. GREAT value here.  

Gary Tooze

January 19th, 2011

January 25th, 2012

 

We suggest avoiding the Alliance Canadian edition: