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

ADDITION: Arbelos Films Blu-ray (November 2019): This new Blu-ray from Arbelos is billed as a "new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by the Wisconsin Center for Film & Theater Research and The Film Foundation, with funding provided by The George Lucas Family Foundation." A title card preceding the film also states, "THE JUNIPER TREE has been restored from the original 35mm picture negative, the original 35mm magnetic soundtrack, and the original 35mm mix stems." To those that missed the brief theatrical run of this newly restored 4K print, this Blu-ray will not disappoint. The single-layered disc features a modest bitrate that is able to sustain the sumptuous Black and White photography with a strong contrast. The film was shot using a Panastar High Speed Camera, utilizing the breathtaking shooting locations around Iceland. Exterioro shots show a wide and otherworldly expanse, yet interiors are equally mysterious with key lighting highlighting certain aspects of the frame, leaving others cloaked in darkness. This film deserves to be seen by many, and this Blu-ray disc from Arbelos is a perfect way to experience "The Juniper Tree".

"The Juniper Tree" is presented with it's original 1.0 mono track. One can imagine that the dialogue and effects on this Blu-ray represent the film's original theatrical presentation, thanks to a 24-bit linear PCM track. Any limitations would be due to the source material itself. The memorably eerie score comes from Larry Lipkis, and it sticks with you long after the credits have rolled. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Arbelos.

Arbelos have thankfully included 3 very unique short films from director Keene. "Still" runs 4-minutes, "Hinterland" runs 25-minutes, and "Aves" (which has moments reminding me of Terry Gilliam's animation as collage style) comes in just under 7-minutes. A 15-minute archival interview (from 2002) with Nietzchka Keene has the director discussing their inspiration for the film (the Grimms fairytale was one of her favorite stories as a child). The writer/director goes on to explain the changes she made to the story, especially with bringing witchcraft to the foreground. The director talks about the genesis of production as well, deciding to make "Juniper Tree" after accepting a fellowship for a different project. Arbelos also include a brand new 29-minute interview with cinematographer Randy Sellars, who spends the duration of the half-hour discussing his collaboration with Keene on the film (who he later realized that he had even worked for in the past, unbeknownst to him). Sellars describes the specifics of shooting "Juniper Tree", revealing some tricks of the trade. To some this may be too in-the-weeds, but I was enthralled. Sellars has a wonderful ability to recall various aspects of the filming, even going into the casting of the picture. No wonder that such a beautifully photographed film has such a charismatic and articulate person behind the camera (same goes for director Keene.) Some never before seen outtakes appear over 4.5-minutes, some with the director's commentary. The film's trailer rounds out the Blu-ray disc while there is an included 16-pg booklet (with an included Polaroid from the shoot, neat!) with the essays 'A Visionary Rediscovered' by Amy Sloper, 'The Juniper Tree' by Angeline Gragasin, and "Personal Reminiscences of The Juniper Tree' by Patrick Moyroud.

Nietzchka Keene's "The Juniper Tree" is a brilliant adaptation of a fairy tale from the brothers Grimm looking gorgeous on Blu-ray. Björk's appearance here only benefits the film thanks to her pure charm and emotional portrayal of Margit (Björk would of course go on to be a purely unstoppable and iconic musical force in the decades to come). Sadly, director Keene passed away in 2004 at the young age of 52. If only we could have had more time with her.  

Colin Zavitz