Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Interview with Director Raśl Ruiz (37:24)

• Interview with Screenwriter Carlos Saboga (5:05)

• Critics Roundtable Discussion (13:21)

• 12-page liner notes booklet

Bitrate: (discs 1 + 2)

Description: Raul Ruiz’s masterful adaptation of the eponymous nineteenth-century Portuguese novel (by Camilo Castelo Branco) evokes the complex intertwined narratives of Victor Hugo and Charles Dickens. The core story centers on Joao, the bastard child of an ill-fated romance between two members of the aristocracy who are forbidden to marry, and his quest to discover the truth of his parentage. But this is just the start of an engrossing tale that follows a multitude of characters whose fates conjoin, separate and then rejoin again over three decades in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy.

“The most glorious achievement of Raśl Ruiz’s prodigious career and one of the first cinematic masterpieces of this century.” – Film Comment

A veritable whirlwind of adventures and escapades, coincidences and revelations, sentiments and violent passions, vengeance,... love affairs, all wrapped in a rhapsodic voyage that takes us from Portugal to France, Italy, and as far as Brazil. In this Lisbon of intrigue and hidden identities, we encounter a series of characters all somewhat linked to the destiny of Pedro da Silva, an orphan in a boarding school, in a story set in the 19th century, and all searching for the true identity of our main character.

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from Manohla Dargis at the NY Times located HERE

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

Firstly this is the theatrical version as shown at the Toronto International Film Festival - NOT the longer TV version (6 X 60-minte episodes). That is not included here - as it is via the European DVD package. Music Box Films offer this as a 3-disc Blu-ray with Part 1 of the feature on disc 1, Part 2 on disc 2 and the supplements on third Blu-ray disc. Image quality is consistent between the two feature discs with an almost duplicate transfer bitrate. There is a smooth texture and I measure aspect ratio at an odd 1.95:1.  Detail is strong and contrast at the higher levels of the format. Colors are passive and un-manipulated. There is some depth and the 1080P supported the impressive Art direction and cinematography of the film.  This Blu-ray has a even video quality and I can see no discernable flaws. These two Blu-rays provide an excellent Home Theater presentation - one we can whole-heartedly endorse.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2 (2nd Blu-ray)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio gives the option of two similarly robust DTS-HD Master tracks in original Portuguese - both around 1700 kbps. One is a standard 2.0 channel stereo and the other a 5.1 Surround that I only noticed separation in a couple of times throughout the film. Both export some depth with clear dialogue. There is little in the way of aggression in the track. The wonderful original music is by Jorge Arriagada, a Chilean composer who, I think, has done all of Raśl Ruiz’ film scores. I found it an important part of the presentation sounding beautiful and tight. There are optional English subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras :

 

 

Blu-ray 3 (Extras)

 

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Raśl Ruiz’ film is sublime. The relaxing viewing experience doesn't, at all, reflect the 4.5 hour time. It seems much shorter and one you wish would extend longer. I will admit that I was having a bit of trouble with the many characters and names but I look forward to a second viewing to overcome that. I didn't find this complexity distracting from the pleasure of the presentation. This was pure cinema at a level we see so rarely.  Music Box have done themselves proud with a sterling package on Blu-ray. It might have been more convenient to author it more pragmatically - but at the cost of the a/v. I'm glad they resisted. The attention to important details is paramount to the overall engrossing experience. We've just finished the Poll for Blu-ray and DVD of the Year 2011 - but I suspect that this rich work will be prominent in our 2012 voting! VERY strongly recommended! 

Gary Tooze

January 7th, 2011