Coriolanus (Blu-ray) (2011)

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General		Extras
Category	Drama	More…-5.1 and 7.1 Sound check Interviews-Cast Interviews-Crew
Rating
Year Of Production	2011
Running Time	122:53
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Icon Entertainment	Starring	None Given
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	?	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 (3254Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.35:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	2.40:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English for the Hearing Impaired	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

"Nature Teaches Beasts to Know Their Friends"

     Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut with Coriolanus is the latest example of a Shakespeare adaptation placed in a modern setting. Despite hundreds of years separating the play debut and Fiennes' movie, the integrity of the play's message remains intact and is just as relevant today as it was when written. The use of Shakespearean dialogue is at first unsettling, but it's surprising how quickly you can get into the rhythm and forget how foreign it is to modern ears. Coriolanus is not one of the better known Shakespearean plays but it's easy to pick up on the theme of a ruthless soldier who is drawn into political life but cannot adapt to the restraints that such a role brings. The soldier Coriolanus needs an enemy to fight – he is a weapon that needs a target. Public approval and popularity are not a priority to him, but vengeance certainly is.

     Set in "a place calling itself Rome" the movie Coriolanus opens in what seems to be a troubled and modern urban landscape, with General Caius Martius (Ralph Fiennes) suppressing a demonstration by activists who are demanding food. Senator Menenius (Brian Cox) has tried to reassure the population, but a border dispute with the Volscians under Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler) is more of a priority. In an ensuing battle Martius and his "Romans" defeats the forces of Aufidius, leading Martius to being bestowed with the honorific title of Coriolanus. Martius' mother, Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave) and Menenius convince Martius to stand for Consul with its attendant promise of power and glory. To Volumnia this prestige means more than life itself – even more important than the life of her son. Martius' wife Virgilia (Jessica Chastain) however doesn't share her mother-in-law's obsession for honour and glory at any cost.

     Despite his victory Marius is not popular amongst the people, and his election is opposed by Tribunes Brutus and Sicinius (Paul Jesson and James Nesbitt), who enlist the crowd into calling for Marius' banishment from Rome. Inspired to seek vengeance on his former countrymen Marius becomes allied with Aufidius and the Volscians, and plans the destruction of Rome. The salvation of Rome now rests on the entreaties of Marius' family who seek a treaty as envoys of Menenius. Marius Coriolanus has a choice to make – he can enact his revenge, or return to the people who hate him, or stay with the Volscians who only want him as a war monger. No matter his decision, Coriolanus is a lost soul - with no home, no family, and no cause.

     Fiennes and screenwriter John Logan have made a calculated decision to retain the sound and setting of Shakespeare's original play when quite easily they could have used modern language and a Balkan (or similar) setting. Having been filmed in Serbia the visuals are distinctly modern newsreel in effect, and so the use of Roman names and characteristics were at times jarring. The language itself was not an issue, but it could have been just as effective, if not more-so, if played in a contemporary demographic. Nevertheless what is clear is the outstanding contributions of the actors involved, in particular Fiennes himself who plays the flawed but evil anti-hero convincingly. The frustration of the battle addicted Coriolanus is palpable and expressed in his attitude to the common people and contempt for his civilian compatriots. Redgrave as his mother also brings life to the common Shakespearean theme of domineering and manipulative women, who through influence and intrigue set the seeds of tragedy.

Video

     Coriolanus is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect (theatrical aspect 2.39:1) on a 1080p AVC mpeg-4 encoded Blu-ray disc. Cinematographer, Barry Ackroyd has employed a gritty yet modern feel to the visuals which is aided by actual footage from the Kosovo conflict. At times it's difficult to discern what is real and what is acted with the scripted footage made to resemble war-time footage including grainy textures and muted colours. Much of the fighting scenes use a handy-cam type technique to emphasise the immediacy of face-to-face fighting and the brutality of killing. The blood, and there is plenty of it, looks real and often horrific - as especially illustrated on the glaring and bald headed face of Coriolanus who appears to have risen from the pits of hell. Military khaki and grey predominate with nice shades of black adding a texture of dirt and grit that is murky but still distinct. Facial close-ups show accurate colour and sharp detail so that every crease and pore and scar is evident.

     This is a dual layer disc but I could not see the layer change using my equipment.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track of Coriolanus has an expansive dynamic range and makes excellent use of directionals to have bullets and explosions bouncing of all four walls in a way reminiscent of other war movies such as Saving Private Ryan. In quieter moments there is usually a background murmur – be it of distant battle, or discontented civilians, or revelling soldiers. The murmur ensures an atmosphere of threat so that the viewer is never comfortable or at ease. Overall the dialogue is usually easy to understand and clear and, of course, in synch with the video action. There are some verbal exchanges which are difficult to follow either due to the mumbled voices or the odd language being used, but these are relatively few. Bass is used impressively to emphasise explosions and heavy artillery, but is also subtle enough to just sit under the soundscape during the quieter moments. Overall this audio presentation is excellent with no imperfections to speak of.

     This audio track is excellent.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

     The menu featured looping audio with static background.

5.1 and 7.1 Home Theatre Setup

     For calibrating your speakers - if you think they might need it.

Cast Interviews

     Dolby Digital 2.0 @192 Kb/s. Mpeg 4 AVC 1.78:1 aspect: Ralph Fiennes (13:01), Gerard Butler (6:51), Brian Cox (10:47), James Nesbitt (4:38), Paul Jesson (4:33), John Kani (3:58), Jessica Chastain (5:26).

Crew Interviews

     Dolby Digital 2.0 @192 Kb/s. Mpeg 4 AVC 1.78:1 aspect: Gabrielle Tana - Producer (3:14), Julia Taylor-Stanley - Producer (4:23), Colin Vaines - Producer (5:17).

     The Region A Blu-ray includes two bonus features not included here: Commentary by Director/Actor Ralph Fiennes; and a featurette - The Making of Coriolanus. There are also trailers for My Week with Marilyn, The Iron Lady and The Artist. The Region A version misses out on the cast and crew interviews although I suspect much of it would be included in the featurette. There is also a two disc Blu-ray/DVD combo available. On the basis of more interesting extras the Region A version looks to be the better option.

     If you can get past the initially odd combination of ancient Roman names and Shakespearian language amongst a modern setting, Coriolanus is a rich and rewarding experience. The acting is first rate, the action gripping and bloody, the direction from Fiennes sure footed and inspired, and the technical attributes on Blu-ray are first rate. The overall package might not gel for some so perhaps a try on rental first might be wise.

     The video quality is very good.

     The audio quality is excellent.

    Extras are average.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall