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

 

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (February 2018): This is, basically, the same as the BFI package but in Region 'A'. The technical transfer is very similar - I cannot differentiate between the image quality, the BFI may have a slight leaning in the audio with their 2.0 channel transfer being 24-bit as opposed to 16. Both packages have 3-discs - a Blu-ray with the theatrical version (and a trailer as an extra) and the 2 DVDs with the six-part TV version (but in NTSC as opposed to PAL.) Supplements are duplicated with the 'Shooting Days' documentary and 'behind the scenes' video pieces plus some liner notes. A fabulous film experience and another very complete package - worthy of any cinephile library. Strongly recommended!

 

***

ADDITION: BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (February 2016): Firstly, this is quite a package although not what some fans were expecting. The package is 3-discs with the 2:50:00 feature in the lone Blu-ray disc (only shared with a trailer for the film.) The first DVD is dual-layered and has episodes 1-4 - running 3.5 hours in PAL (of 6 parts) of the 5-hour TV version, Once Upon a Time There Was One Country. The last DVD, also dual-layered and PAL, has parts 5 + 6 of the 1995 TV version plus some extras; The 1 1/4 hour, excellent on-set documentary, Shooting Days: Emir Kusturica Directs Underground directed by Aleksandar Manic from 1996. There are also some EPK (electronic press kit) Items: (Behind the Scenes, Interviews etc.) that total 16-minutes. The package itself has a wonderful illustrated booklet with new writing and full film credits.

 

So how's the quality? The feature film, in 1.85:1, is approaching 3-hours but on a, bare-bones, dual-layered Blu-ray the 1080P image is supported with a decent-high bitrate and the image is quite stable, perhaps a shade blue-leaning but the DVDs all looked too dull and green (and presumably from the same source.) So it's definitely a notable improvement. The HD visuals are brighter and show much more information in the frame. There are hints of depth and it's nice to see the consistent texture. It looks like the 'newly remastered' image softness is inherent in the source. I was pleased with the appearance and it's the best I have seen the film look to date.

 

The DVDs are, predictably, thin - so much data filling the discs - but support the HD colors scheme and look acceptable - although not stellar (3 comparison captures below). Yes, it's too bad it wasn't in 1080P, but it's hard to look a gift horse in the mouth. I think many fans will be so pleased to have this version available to watch.

 

The varied score by Goran Bregovic (Arizona Dream) - with pieces like Symphony Nş3 Organ and the Underground Tango - sounds very bouncy and pleasing in the lossless - the audio options being a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at a whopping 4168 kbps or a linear PCM 2.0 channel stereo - both 24-bit and in the original Serbo-Croation. Effects (gun shots and trumpeting elephants) sound rich and very deep. I expect this is the best the film has sounded and there is impressive separation in the surround.

 

There is a tonne of value in this Blu-ray package - we're talking a premium feature in 1080P, the availability of the 5-hour TV version and 1.5 hour's worth of extras as well as a liner notes booklet! It's a must-own for many! Yes, we endorse. 

***

 

ON THE DVDs - Henrik Sylow on the AE - The transfer of Artificial Eye is identical to A-Film in sharpness, colours and sharpness. While compression artefacts are slightly more visible in Artificial Eye, when zooming on stills, they are not visible at regular viewing. As such, its par.

***

Gary Tooze on New Yorker vs. A-Film -The PAL DVD is sharper and the New Yorker DVD has that usual greenish - washed out- tinge to it. Obviously the big issue is that the A-Film DVD does not offer any English options (no subs or even dubs). What this does tell us is that there is a better transfer out there that has not reached NYSC shores yet. Shame as this is a fine film. Region 1'ers will have to suffice with the New Yorker (their first dual DVD) for now. I don't see anything else on the horizon for this film in North America. No cropping on either edition and contrast is a shade superior on the PAL version. If you don't require English - then this is the route to go - if you do I understand the New Yorker is far superior to a Region 4 version that is currently available.