Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Ripple World Pictures

Video: Sony

 

Disc:

Region: 'B'-locked (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:29:49.125

Disc Size: 27,194,761,424 bytes

Feature Size: 23,087,634,432 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.82 Mbps

Chapters: 12

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: October 17th, 2011

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3719 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3719 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio German 3726 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3726 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

 

Subtitles:

English, German, none

 

Extras:

• Trailers

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: Taking an isolated break on an uninhabited island, Martin (Cillian Murphy – The Dark Knight, 28 Days Later) and Kate (Thandie Newton – 2012, RocknRolla) are about to find that their island retreat is about to become a prison of unimaginable terror. When a blood soaked stranger (Jamie Bell) stumbles through their door claiming an apocalyptic virus is sweeping across Europe, their lives are turned upside down as they face what could be the end of everything they know. Using all means necessary, they must fight to escape the approaching threat. But escape is only the beginning of their terrifying fight for survival…

 

 

The Film:

Director Carl Tibbetts razor eye behind the lens went on to really make the most of the striking settings at hand (the majestic ocean, the run down shack, the lonely island) capturing all of its beautiful while channeling its uneasiness; one that echoed the troubled mindset of our main characters and the twisted tale that would eventually unfold. Speaking of the tale, I really grooved to Gary Sinyor and David Frost’s screenplay here, which in my useless opinion, did it pretty much all right. The dialogue was "on", the characters layered and the engaging aura of tension and pain between the two lovers was explored in a subtle and credible fashion as opposed to being hammered our way. And once the perturbing element was tossed into the mix, changing the game for our love birds (and for us, the audience), well let’s just say that the narrative took me for quite the visceral ride.

Excerpt from ArrowintheHead located HERE

A glum mood envelops this deceptively ingenious thriller, and though it may deny Carl Tibbetts’ film a wider audience, genre fans will enjoy seeing a hokey interloper story getting not only a thoughtful treatment but classy performances. Cillian Murphy and Thandie Newton play a married couple recovering from the death of their unborn child, who, somewhat unrealistically, rekindle their love by returning to an old holiday destination on an uninhabited island. The awkward idyll is shattered by the arrival of Jamie Bell’s soldier, who claims a virus has all but obliterated the outside world. Is he telling the truth or is he a psycho? Tibbetts plays with tension to create a plausible no man’s land of logic that’s sure to keep the most jaded viewer guessing.

Excerpt from EmpireOnline  located HERE

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

Retreat is a film/Blu-ray that went under my radar but when writing The Movies from the End of the World article, I researched that it had strong potential for making the Apocalypse Film list.  I was also encouraged by Thandie Newton starring in the film as for years I have thought she is both stunning and a fabulous actress (ever see her as Condoleezza Rice in W?) So I ordered the DVD, enjoyed it, watched it a second time - saw there was a Blu-ray out of Germany - and here we are. This Sony (Europe) Blu-ray looks fine - the 1080P adds depth, rich color and impressiveness to the scenery and assertive cinematography by Chris Seager. It's on a dual-layered disc with a supportive bitrate and there is no manipulation... or need for it. There is depth, pleasing detail in the close-ups and this striking film looks great on Blu-ray.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

A DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track (24-bit) is used and it's every bit as strong as the video with some head-turning effect surprises. Punching out the film's depth with plenty of thumped bass.  We have a score by British composer Ilan Eshkeri (Still Alice, Hannibal Rising) which plays adroitly with the rising tension and methodical pace. There is a German DUB and optional English (see sample above) and German subtitles . My Oppo has identified it as being a region 'B'-locked.

 

 

Extras :

Only some trailers I'm afraid!

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Retreat now sits on my re-watchable shelf - as do many Apocalypse Films. It evokes the 'Limited Survivor Apocalypse' concept with the circumstance of fate landing our protagonists on a deserted island where they aren't as exposed as the global population (not unlike the lighthouse inhabitants of The Day of the Triffids.) I also thought it clever, like 10 Cloverfield Lane, to leave the reality of the Apocalypse (hoax, lie or impossible truth) left in abeyance... until the end. Or is it all just Thandie? - ever see the end of Mission Impossible II - with her walking away form the camera in those jeans? - yes... memorable. Regardless, a wonderful thriller and a solid 1080P, bare-bones, Blu-ray. It's been out a long while so you may find it cheap on one of the below Amazon links near you. I did... and I recommend!

 

NOTE: There is also a UK Sony Blu-ray HERE - probably of the same quality. 

Gary Tooze

September 21t, 2017