- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,311
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I presume that most of you have heard the word "painterly" referring to a film's cinematography, or the phrase "painted with light." Dante Spinotti, who photographed Michael Mann's pre-revolutionary war adventure, based upon the almost unreadable book by James Fenimore Cooper, does precisely that.
He paints with light. Tiny bits of light that reflect and disappear between trees and leaves and moonlight.
Visually, this is a very low key Blu-ray, with numerous extremely dark scenes, which hardly shed a light on the subjects. Even well lit scenes, not under trees, and outdoors have a low key look to them.
And that look, especially on well tuned systems, is absolutely gorgeous. Many colorists, if presented with the look of this film, would have immediately cranked up the contrast. But that would have merely made things heavier, and far less visible than the images on this Blu-ray. When we need to see into the shadows, we can, as this release has been prepared with a delicate hand, and a knowledge of the benefits of light vs. shadow on film. This is a beautiful rendering of image.
Sonically, the uncompressed audio is a treat, with directionality when necessary, and low resonating sub-sonic information during battle scenes.
The Last of the Mohicans is a quality adventure tale set during the French and Indian War, c. 1757, with superb casting and acting. The Blu-ray shows off the brilliant military uniforms, as well as details in beads and leathers. The forests are dark, sometimes foreboding, and a natural centerpiece to the film, which was shot in North Carolina.
A magnificent Blu-ray.
Highly Recommended.
RAH
He paints with light. Tiny bits of light that reflect and disappear between trees and leaves and moonlight.
Visually, this is a very low key Blu-ray, with numerous extremely dark scenes, which hardly shed a light on the subjects. Even well lit scenes, not under trees, and outdoors have a low key look to them.
And that look, especially on well tuned systems, is absolutely gorgeous. Many colorists, if presented with the look of this film, would have immediately cranked up the contrast. But that would have merely made things heavier, and far less visible than the images on this Blu-ray. When we need to see into the shadows, we can, as this release has been prepared with a delicate hand, and a knowledge of the benefits of light vs. shadow on film. This is a beautiful rendering of image.
Sonically, the uncompressed audio is a treat, with directionality when necessary, and low resonating sub-sonic information during battle scenes.
The Last of the Mohicans is a quality adventure tale set during the French and Indian War, c. 1757, with superb casting and acting. The Blu-ray shows off the brilliant military uniforms, as well as details in beads and leathers. The forests are dark, sometimes foreboding, and a natural centerpiece to the film, which was shot in North Carolina.
A magnificent Blu-ray.
Highly Recommended.
RAH