Babylon Berlin, the first two seasons of which have been released via Kino, is about to offer a third, while the fourth will shortly hit the cablewaves.
BB is German TV series, set two years before the adventures at the Kit Kat Klub, part of the wonderful underbelly of the Weimar Republic, as the Nazi party was growing in strength.
Seasons are of varying lengths. The first two are eight episodes each, while the third is twelve. Each episode is 45 minutes.
One of the talents behind the series that’s known here is Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run), while several members of the cast have been seen here in the Colonies in the past.
Filmed Shot with Arri Alexas (what else?) through vintage Panavision glass, the series is magnificent in all respects.
Finished in 4k, and offered by Kino as Blu-rays, it’s so well reproduced, that I’d be interested in seeing it in 4k format.
Having only gotten through the first two episodes, I’m hooked, but need to find time to go further in the future. My initial feelings are that it’s a huge production. As 1929 Berlin is reproduced for the screen, I’m unable to determine where the digital domain ends and reality begins.
New areas continue to open, a bit akin to playing a video game with a huge sandbox.
The series is in German with easily read English sub-titles. Actually, I don’t believe they are English sub-titles, as spellings are British. Translations are occasionally a bit awkward, but it works.
If one can find the time, and presumably with this Covid thing either occurring or not occurring, dependent upon one’s beliefs, it’s a very interesting way to spend it.
While it can be found on Amazon, I’m betting that the Kino Blu-rays are a major step up in quality. If it’s Blu-ray to which you’re thinking of heading, Season 3 arrives on 24 November.
One small caveat, and I’ve not been able to check into a potential problem. Reviewers on Amazon make note of either episodes being out of order on the discs, or missing. Unfortunately, as Amazon has a nasty habit of conjoining reviews between different variants of products, one can’t be certain what the reviewers are discussing, even if it’s a purportedly domestic purchase, and not another region.
Possibly someone who has experience the entire series can comment.
Image – 5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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