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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka " Nayak: The Hero" or "The Hero")

 

Directed by Satyajit Ray

India 1966

 

In this psychologically rich character study, written and directed by Satyajit Ray, Bengali film star Uttam Kumar draws on his real-world celebrity to play Arindam Mukherjee, a matinee idol on the brink of his first flop. When Mukherjee boards an overnight train to Delhi to accept an award, a journalist (Sharmila Tagore) approaches him seeking an exclusive interview, which initiates a conversation that sends the actor reeling down a path of self-examination. Seamlessly integrating rueful flashbacks and surreal dream sequences with the quietly revelatory stories of the train s other passengers, The Hero is a graceful meditation on art, fame, and regret from one of world cinema s most keenly perceptive filmmakers.

***

Aditi (Sharmila Tagore) is a pretty journalist who interviews the film star Arindam Mukherjee (Uttam Kumar Chatterjee) on a train trip to Delhi, and flashbacks are used to illustrate the main events in the actor's life. After she has completed the interview, Aditi tears up her notes and refuses to use the story that could change the public perception of the popular actor. Satyajit Ray directed and provided the screenplay and music for this feature that was shown at the 1966 Berlin Film Festival.

 Excerpt from B+N located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 6th, 1966

Reviews                                                                        More Reviews                                                            DVD Reviews

 

Review: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

   

 

Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine 911
Region
'A' Blu-ray

Runtime

1:57:20.783    

Video

Disc Size: 45,228,394,166 bytes

Feature Size: 34,841,450,496 bytes

Average Bitrate: 35.46 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

Bitrate:

 

Criterion Blu-ray

 

Audio

LPCM Audio Bengali 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bits

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

 

Disc Size: 45,228,394,166 bytes

Feature Size: 34,841,450,496 bytes

Average Bitrate: 35.46 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• "Sharmila Tagore on Satyajit Ray and The Hero" This is a revealing interview that gives viewers a sense of what it would have been like to work with Ray. Tagore is clearly very fond of Ray and provides some interesting behind-the-scenes information (11:53)
• New program featuring film scholar Meheli Sen. "A Closer look at The Hero with Meheli Sen" (25:01)
• A booklet featuring an essay by author Pico Iyer and a 1980 tribute to actor Uttam Kumar by director Satyajit Ray

Blu-ray  Release Date: February 13th, 2018
Transparent Blu-ray case

Chapters: 26

 

 

Comments

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

Criterion's Blu-ray transfer is from a 'New, restored 2K digital transfer' and it's a significant upgrade from the UK DVD, and it's many deficiencies, from a decade ago. The 1080P is far brighter with superior contrast and even some depth in the visuals.  This new dual-layered rendering has a max'ed bitrate. Detail can be impressive and it looks excellent in-motion.

 

The audio transfer is in a linear PCM mono track in the original Bengali language. There are no demonstrative effects with depth and the score by Satyajit Ray. It is authentically flat but well supported by the uncompressed transfer. Criterion add optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray disc.

 

Extras include "Sharmila Tagore on Satyajit Ray and The Hero" - a revealing, 12-minute, interview that gives viewers a sense of what it would have been like to work with Ray. Tagore is clearly very fond of Ray and provides some interesting behind-the-scenes information. There is a new, 25-minute, program featuring film scholar Meheli Sen. It is entitled "A Closer look at The Hero with Meheli Sen". The package has a liner notes booklet featuring an essay by author Pico Iyer and a 1980 tribute to actor Uttam Kumar by director Satyajit Ray.
 

Fans of the director will love this Blu-ray transfer. It so refreshing to see works like this is such improved quality. The extras supply value as well. Highly recommended! 

 - Colin Zavitz

Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 

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

 

 

1) Artificial Eye (Satyajit Ray Collection Vol.1) - Region 2 - PAL   TOP

2) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Artificial Eye (Satyajit Ray Collection Vol.1) - Region 2 - PAL   TOP

2) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Artificial Eye (Satyajit Ray Collection Vol.1) - Region 2 - PAL   TOP

2) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Artificial Eye (Satyajit Ray Collection Vol.1) - Region 2 - PAL   TOP

2) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Artificial Eye (Satyajit Ray Collection Vol.1) - Region 2 - PAL   TOP

2) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


More Blu-ray Captures
 


 


 

 


 

Box Cover

 

   

 

Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine 911
Region
'A' Blu-ray

 




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