A Few Words About A few words about...™ A Bridge Too Far -- in Blu-Ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

As MGM finally begins to add to their Blu-Ray releases as distributed by Fox, we get an idea of the ethic being used into translating their films from the selected 35mm element(s) to disc.

A Bridge Too Far (1977), directed by Richard Attenborough and photographed by Geoffrey Unsworth is noble choice for BD, but also one that may be misunderstood for quality.

Those familiar with Mr. Unsworth's final films (Superman, Tess, The Great Train Robbery, Caberet) will know where I'm coming from.

Those unfamiliar with his role as camera operator on earlier films and cinematographer in following years need only take a quick look at this list to know that they're in for a visual treat.

Working behind the camera in pre-cinematographer days:

The Four Feathers
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
A Matter of Life and Death

and later as cinematographer:

Blanche Fury
The Blue Lagoon
The Clouded Yellow
Scott of the Antarctic
A Night to Remember
Half a Sixpence
Cromwell

and 2001: A Space Odyssey

You see where this is going.

A Bridge Too Far is a terrific film, with a huge cast from around the globe, and the mix works nicely. Beautifully produced and designed, the film is a keeper. Standouts include the heroic score by John Addison, screenplay by William Goldman and editing by Antony Gibbs.

What may be troubling to some is the atmospheric look of the film as captured by cinematographer Unsworth. Exteriors are laden with filtration of different types, adding a softening and haze to the image.

And as I recall, this is not only quite correct, but serves to help obscure the use of the many matte shots and opticals, ie. aircraft in flight against bright skies, aircraft on the ground, etc.

There appears to be occasional barrel distortion in the original photography, which may also have some wondering about focus. This is the way that it was shot by someone who knew precisely what they wanted to capture on film.

Grain seems about correct, and overall the film looks like cinema, although it must be noted that in some scenes, blacks appear a bit high and have gone toward a slight milky blue.

A quality addition to the Blu-Ray circus and a release that has not been DNR'd to death.

Highly Recommended.

RAH

 

[Danny_N]

A Bridge Too Far is the only film I ever visited the set of while it was being filmed. A large part of the movie was shot in the town of Deventer which has a bridge that looks similar to the Arnhem bridge. My sister lived in Deventer at the time and I can still remember the fake houses, all the extras walking around in uniforms and the spectacular night attack on the bridge.

I have the Japanese BD and it is indeed a terrrific transfer. It looks exactly as I remember it looking in the cinema. It's one of my favourite BDs.

 

[PaulDA]

Excellent news. My list of Blu-ray purchases to be made grows ever longer thanks to you. I've been promised a BD player for Christmas--perhaps I can have that moved to Father's Day.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Definitely a BD to add to my library. Thanks RAH.

 

[Paul_Scott]

Those familiar with Mr. Unsworth's final films (... Tess, The Great Train Robbery, Caberet) will know where I'm coming from.
.


And none of these fine films have been given a competent DVD release. I would love to see them skip the middleman with these and see each of them given a conscientious Bd release.
Good news about ABTF...but a shame they left out the contextual extras. Historical based films are one of the few instances for me where the extras can totally swing a purchase.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I picked this up on the weekend, and it is indeed a classic example of Mr. Unsworth's work as a "lighting cinematographer." Being of somewhat younger ilk than RAH, the first film that jumped to mind for me was Superman: The Movie, which bears similar stylistic hallmarks (soft focus, filtering, lighting choices). As MPEG-2 HD encodings go, this one is a goodie. As war movies go, it's a personal favourite that does not seem nearly as long as its running time would indicate.

Note: I can't help but think that the choice of Mr. Unsworth as DOP had something to do with the plot element of fog.

 

[Brian Husar]

I just picked this up, and I don't know what it is, this and The Graduate. I do not have a DTS surround system, mine is Dolby, but most of my Blu Rays that have DTS Master Audio play just fine, and they are 5.1. On this one and The Graduate I get no 5.1 info, only the 2 channel, when I select it. Does anyone know why the others work fine but not this one? I am technical but not that technical.