Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
|
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane [Blu-ray]
(Nicolas Gessner, 1976)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Braun Entertainment Group Video: Signal One Entertainment / Kino Lorber
Disc: Region: 'B' / 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:31:50.755 / 1:31:52.548 Disc Size: 23,892,442,146 bytes / 36,742,562,480 bytes Feature Size: 23,497,086,336 bytes / 28,034,703,360 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps / 34.99 Mbps Chapters: 8 / 9 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: October 5th, 2015 / May 10th, 2016
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Resolution: 1080P / 23.976 fpsVideo codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1848 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1848
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 /
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1604 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1604
kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 /
Subtitles: English (HoH), None None
Extras:
• Audio commentary by Nathaniel Thompson and Tim Greer
• Audio Commentary by director Nicolas Gessner • Interview with Martin Sheen (27:27) • Conversation between Sheen and Gessner (5:33) • Original Trailer (2:01) Bitrate:
Description: Rynn Jacobs (Jodie Foster) is a smart
thirteen-year-old girl who lives in a secluded house that
she and her father rent. After a number of locals come
calling, they find that Rynn's father is never around.
Suspicions are soon raised and members of the community -
including the local police officer (Mort Shuman) and the
landlord's sleazy son (Martin Sheen) - make it their
business to pry into Rynn's affairs. But how far will she go
to hide the truth of what she has been up to?
The Film: In this Canadian thriller, Jodie Foster plays the title character, a reclusive, fiercely self-reliant teenager who lives alone in her father's house. When visitors call, Foster explains that her father is away on business. He's away, all right...far, far, away. And Foster, determined not to lose her independence, will go to any lengths to protect her secret, a fact that nosy neighbor Alexis Smith learns to her regret. A new danger to Foster's well-being looms in the form of pedophile Martin Sheen, who schemes to place the girl in a compromising position. Offering a helping hand to Foster is misfit teenager Mario (Scott Jacoby). Laird Koenig adapted his own novel to the screen. Excerpt from MRQE located HERE
In the atmospheric and creepy shocker, The Little Girl Who Lives Down
the Lane (1976), Rynn Jacobs (Jodie Foster) is a precocious
13-year-old girl whose poet father has died, leaving her to carry on
alone in their isolated seaside house where she reads Emily Dickinson
and listens to Chopin. Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane gets a decent single-layered transfer to Blu-ray from Signal One Entertainment in the UK. It has a high bitrate, in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, is progressive and clean - I'd say this looks like a very good representation of a film that tens to look like it was made for television. There are instances of depth, natural colors, appreciated texture and good contrast. Surprisingly strong - I was very positive on how this looked in-motion!
Video is very similar. The Kino has the higher bitrate (+ dual-layered) and may be marginally superior in-motion. Not enough for most fans to take notice. Another competent and pleasing transfer.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle Sample Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Audio :Audio comes in a linear PCM mono track at 1152 kbps. There aren't many effects - some outdoor wind etc. . The score is by Christian Gaubert and it seems fairly unnoticeable although there are instances of heightened suspense by the music. Dialogue sounds extremely clear and tight - if, predictably flat. There are optional English (HoH) subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'B'-locked.
Kino go for a DTS-HD Master and it's rich and deep - sounding very solid in the lossless. No subtitles are offered on the region 'A' Blu-ray.
Extras : Signal One add an audio commentary by Nathaniel Thompson and Tim Greer. Thompson takes the lead and seems fairly prepared as they both discuss the film's 'TV look', Jodie and Martin and the film's disguised Canadian roots. They state it is the uncensored Canadian version of the film (there is some nudity). I appreciated the insights. There is also a theatrical trailer.
A different commentary by director Nicolas Gessner, and trailer but Kino add more; a half-hour interview with Martin Sheen and a reunion Skype conversation between Sheen and Gessner for 5.5 minutes. Neither are particularly professionally polished extras but they have some value and advance upon the Signal One.
Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
BOTTOM LINE:
I still like this film - quite a lot. The Kino goes a little further than its UK counterpart - more robust a/v and additional, if less-rewarding, supplements. Great to have this come to Region 'A' - its such an intriguing and unusual film - still recommended! Gary Tooze October 7th, 2015 May 5th, 2016
|
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 5000 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. 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 ALL OUR NEW FORMAT DVD REVIEWS
|