Pelle the Conqueror Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Pelle erövraren" or "Pelle the Conqueror" )

directed by Bille August
Sweden 1987

Early-20th-century Denmark. A boat arrives in the morning mist. Among the hopeful immigrants from Sweden looking for work are Lasse Karlsson (Max von Sydow) and his son, Pelle. Lasse is a sad man: beaten down by life; struggling with the loss of his wife; wanting to stand up for his son but afraid of authority; and finding relief in the bottle. Max von Sydow received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his fine performance as Lasse, but PELLE THE CONQUEROR is not his film--instead it belongs to the remarkable 12-year-old, Pelle Hvenegaard, who plays Pelle himself. PELLE THE CONQUEROR is based on the first of the four volumes of Martin Andersen Nexo’s epic novel. Talented Danish director Bille August focuses on Pelle when he and Lasse find work at Stone Farm. After being humiliated by the farm’s young trainee manager, Pelle is disappointed when Lasse does not stand up for him. Pelle admires Eric, an older immigrant who is not cowed by the farm manager and who dreams of going to America. He watches as an affair develops between Anna, an immigrant worker, and Nils, son of a local dignitary, and sees the affair’s tragic outcome. Pelle’s friend Rud fails his school exams, then runs away. Through Pelle, Mrs. Olsen, whose sailor husband is lost at sea, becomes interested in Lasse. Pelle observes the drinking of Mrs. Kongstrup, wife of the farm’s owner, and the philandering of her husband. He sees Mrs. Kongstrup’s niece, the lovely Sine, arrive and witnesses the disastrous consequences of her visit. At the center of these events is the striking young Pelle Hvenegaard. It is his face that August focuses on, his mind that is forming right onscreen, as Pelle observes and reacts and learns and, then, moves on alone.

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 25th, 1987 - Sweden

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Comparison:

Anchor Bay - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Anchor Bay - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) 20th Century Fox - Region 1- NTSC - MIDDLE

3) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Covers
Distribution	Anchor Bay Region 1 - NTSC	20th Century Fox Region 1 - NTSC	Film Movement Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:29:45	2:29:45	2:30:01.993
Video	1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.68 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.94 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.85:1 Disc Size: 44,149,934,920 bytes Feature Size: 41,011,795,968 bytes Total Bitrate: 31.99 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Anchor Bay
Bitrate: 20th Century Fox
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Audio	DUB: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Danish/Swedish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)	DUB: English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Dolby), DUB: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby), Danish/Swedish (Mono)	LPCM Audio Danish 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Subtitles	English, and none	English (Close Captioned), and none	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: April 24, 2001 Keep Case Chapters 29	Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: June 1st, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Film Movement Aspect Ratio:- 1.85:1 1.85:1 Disc Size: 44,149,934,920 bytes Feature Size: 41,011,795,968 bytes Total Bitrate: 31.99 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC Edition Details: • Commentary by Peter Cowie • Trailer (1:41) • 6 Film Movement trailers • 16-page booklet, featuring film essay by Terence Rafferty; cast and crew credits, photos Blu-ray Release Date: May 30th, 2017 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters: 13

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray May 17': This is cited as a "30th Anniversary Restoration" and this brilliant film looks vastly superior in Film Movement's new 1080P transfer. There is significantly more information in the frame when compared to the DVD (on the side edges), colors normalize, become richer and tighten, detail rises and thee is both depth and film-like textures to the visuals. It's on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and looks marvelous in-motion in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio (though IMDb says the original AR is 1.66:1). The video looks flawless.

NOTE: There is an, un-reviewed, German Blu-ray HERE that has Danish, German or English DUBs (and, only, German subtitles.)

Film Movement use a linear PCM, uncompressed, track at 2304 kbps (24-bit) in the original Danish language. Effects exist but are minimal, reflecting the period. The Swedish composer and pianist, Stefan Nilsson is credited with the, often, somber score contemplating the film's moods and themes. It all sounds excellent - with some richer moments and maintaining an authentically flat presence. There are optional English subtitles on the Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Even the extras are top-shelf with a wonderfully informative commentary by Peter Cowie who rates Pelle the Conqueror as one of the best Scandinavian films of the past 50 years. He talks about about the production as well as the story. A super inclusion that adds even further value to the package. There is also a, re-issue, trailer, 6 Film Movement trailers and the package contains a 16-page, liner notes, booklet, featuring film essay by Terence Rafferty, cast and crew credits, and photos.

A must-own Blu-ray - this film is a masterpiece, winner of Palme d'Or and Best Foreign Language Film Oscar as well as many other awards. Seeing it again, in such an improved a/v presentation made the film even more impacting for me. This has our highest recommendation! Buy with confidence!

***

ON THE DVDs: Two different prints as indicated by the last large capture and the damage (or cue blip marker?) on the bottom right of the new 20th Century Fox DVD. Both are anamorphic, although the Anchor Bay has a obviously side-cropped 1.66 ratio to Fox (similarly but minutely cropped along the bottom) 1.78 ratio. Colors are all over the place and I can't be 100% positive who is correct, but the Anchor Bay skin tones are decidedly red and for that I will suggest that the Fox's are more accurate. Saying that I believe the Fox to have some contrast boosting (By the way, contrast on the Anchor Bay is quite good - deep rich black levels!). Sharpness is about equal with maybe a slight edge to the Anchor Bay.). In audio - the new Fox offers two English DUBS (5.1 and 2.0) but the original Danish/Swedish is in mono only ?!?! Audio vote goes to the Anchor Bay as we are not 'into' DUBs here at DVDBeaver. Now the subtitles: Very different (both removable English though) and I have no way of knowing which is superior translation-wise although the Fox seem more elaborate and are in a more tasteful white than the distracting yellow of the Anchor Bay. Both offer only a trailer as an extra and the Anchor Bay supply 29 chapter stops to Fox's 20. Anamorphic menus for the Fox, 4:3 for the Anchor Bay. One big difference that many will be aware of is the price. The Anchor Bay was reaching the $40.00 plateau where the Fox is almost being given away at close to $10.00. For this and the above reasons, we go with the new Fox edition.

NOTE: I just got a copy of the 20th Century Fox edition of "Pelle the Conqueror". An ok DVD but with one cosmic flaw. It has a Swedish language track, but the subtitles are actually closed-captions, with all the [sound description] stuff like [bucket drains water] in them. they are either on or off, there's no proper subtitle track.
Why do they have to ruin an otherwise good DVD with this kind of stupid indifference? (Thanks Vic!)