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

ADDITION: Second Run Blu-ray (June 2020): Second Run have transferred Alfréd Radok's Distant Journey to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "brand new 4K restoration of the film from original materials by the Czech National Film Archive." Three text screens preface the presentation stating "The goal of this digital restoration was to make the film available in a form similar to how it could have been seen by an audience at the time when it was first released in 1949. As a result, various features that originate from the shooting of the film or its laboratory processing have been preserved and are evidence of the technologies and creative approaches of the time. Both sound and image were digitized from the duplicate positive preserved by Narodni filmovY archiv, Prague. Missing parts of the image were retrieved from a nitrate print which is from the collection of La Cinemathegue de Toulouse and is preserved at CNC. The restoration under the supervision of Narodni filmovjf archiv was done at Universal Productions Partners and Soundsquare studios in Prague, in 2019."

The 1080P image quality seems to represent a strong recreation with inherent damage marks on the archival footage but for the bulk of the feature the image is dark, a bit muddy, but consistent. The heavy, dampened look certainly suits the film. There are a few 'cue blips' (see samples below) but these add to historical context of the viewing. I was impressed with the HD presentation - reasonable detail in close-ups and a thick film-like appearance, minor depth.

NOTE: We have added 78 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Second Run use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original Czech with some German. There are effects that carry depth and score by Jirí Sternwald (his first composition film credit), that is likewise authentically flat and clear. Second Run offer optional English subtitles (NOTE: not for the archival clips with German language in the beginning - this is intentional by the filmmaker) on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Second Run Blu-ray offers a new commentary by the 'Projection Booth' with Mike White, Samm Deighan and Kat Ellinger. I appreciated their historical notes on what Czechoslovakia was like in the timeframe the film represented. They talked about the experimental style choice of shrinking one frame and positioning in it to the bottom right of the screen (utilized a few time sin the film.) The discuss how Radok's Distant Journey essentially disappeared for a long time and the filmmaking was unique (use of objects in the frame) and how modern 'Holocaust' films utilize emotions as a tool where in Distant Journey was far more realistic and genuine - a fresh take. I enjoyed the discussion in the comparison of Citizen Kane (a film that influenced Alfréd Radok). They discusses the incredible impressive use of sound in the film and much more including Distant Journey as a Kafka-esque nightmare. I, particularly, appreciated this commentary as I found the film so overwhelmingly impactful.  

This film is monumental, folks. Soon after its release, Stalinist censorship was implemented in Czechoslovakia. Distant Journey wasn't allowed to have a premiere in Prague. It was only shown in small theatres outside of Prague until it was banned completely. It deserves to be a part of the conversation.

Alfréd Radok's Distant Journey is one of the most impacting Holocaust film I have ever seen... which would include Night and Fog, Schindler's List, Shoah, Diamonds of the Night and many others.) It is totally unique from all those other films that I have seen. Emotional manipulation is not used as a focus - Radok lets the propaganda speak for itself and it is devastatingly effective. I was totally blown away. The Second Run Blu-ray is a must-own. I feel honored to have seen the 4K restoration in 1080P in my home theater. An incredible experience. If you are debating about buying it my advice would be: "don't hesitate".

Gary Tooze