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The Promised Land aka "Ziemia obiecana" [Blu-ray]
(Andrzej Wajda, 1975)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Film Polski Film Agency Video: Zebra (DMMS Media Distribution)
Disc: Region: FREE (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 2:49:43.333 Disc Size: 44,853,909,039 bytes Feature Size: 39,450,934,848 bytes Video Bitrate: 25.42 Mbps Chapters: 22 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: February, 2014
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.68:1 Resolution: 1080p / 24 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio Polish 2140 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2140 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Descriptive Audio: LPCM Audio Polish 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Subtitles: English, Polish none
Extras: • The cover, booklet and extras are in all Polish only (unknown)
Bitrate:
Description: Andrzej Wajda's interpretation of a classic 19th century epic depicts the sweeping change in values ushered in by the industrial revolution. Three friends hope to build a factory, but their plans are quickly jeopardized by local politics and one of the partner's dangerous love affair. Critically acclaimed for its masterful direction and fine acting, this ever-current film has a strong statement to make about modern times. With the master director's brand new re-edit made possible by Poland's liberation from Communism.
The Film:
Three broke but ambitious young
men to take charge of their own destinies and found their own
textile factory in industrial Lodz. Polish aristocrat Karol
Borowiecki (Daniel Olbrychski,
THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING), German son of a
textiles magnate Maks Baum (Andrzej Seweryn, ON THE SILVER
GLOBE), and Jewish money
broker Moryc Welt (Wojciech Pszoniak,
THE TIN DRUM) decide to go in together and found their
own textile factory. The trio outsmart and bankrupt their
competition (who were already self-destructing before they came
on the scene), and withstand tempting offers by others to betray
one another; however, their own arrogance may prove their
undoing. Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Firstly, like the Second Run DVD (reviewed HERE) this is the longer, original theatrical cut of the film (not the shorter re-release), but unlike that SD it has no PAL Speedup. The Promised Land looks quite strong on Blu-ray from DMMS out of Poland. We've compared to the previous DVD editions and while supporting the general color scheme of the Second Run - it advances handily in just about every visual area. It shows impressive depth and a high level of detail. There is a fine layer of grain. I gauge the aspect ratio at around 1.68:1 (IMDb says 1.66.) The transfer is dual-layered and the, almost 3-hour film, has a supportive bitrate. Depth and rich, layered, contrast are the most notable superiorities over the SDs. This Blu-ray has no gloss nor noise. It looks extremely film-like. All positives.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle sample
More Blu-ray Captures
Audio :Similar to the other DMMS Polish Blu-ray releases we've covered - there is the option for a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround upmix at 2140 kbps or a linear PCM stereo - "Descriptive Audio" track - at 1536 kbps. The surround gave some separations (btw, the original film was mono.) It shows depth and minor range in the factory machines and a decent high-end notable in the score by, the recently (Dec 2013) passed, Wojciech Kilar (award winning music for Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula, as well as Roman Polanski's The Pianist, and composer for other Polanklsi films; The Ninth Gate and Death and the Maiden - to name a few). It includes a powerful waltz - Kilar’s great music to the film a rich collection of dance music. It is classical in nature but has a driving force - and is often considered some of his best work. It is wonderful. There are optional English, and Polish, subtitles and m y Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras : The cover, booklet and extras are in all Polish only (unknown) but only trailers and there doesn't appear to be anything of a substantial nature (nothing is longer than 3 minutes.)
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze March 24th, 2014 |
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.
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