Jack Irish: Series 1 (Blu-ray) (2016)

This review is sponsored by

BUY IT

General		Extras
Category	Crime Drama	Main Menu Audio & Animation Featurette-Behind The Scenes
Rating
Year Of Production	2016
Running Time	342
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Dual Disc Set	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Jeffrey Walker
Studio Distributor	ABC Films Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Guy Pearce Roy Billing Shane Jacobson Steve Bisley Anthony Hayes Aaron Pedersen Neil Melville Colin Friels Marta Dusseldorp
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$49.95	Music	David McCormack

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080i
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English for the Hearing Impaired	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     The ABC has been churning out some great drama over the last few years including shows like The Straits, Janet King, Miss Fisher and more. Another show to join this list is Jack Irish, now transformed from a series of three telemovies into a 6 part television series. I reviewed the previously released telemovies here and here. The films were based on novels by Peter Temple, an Australian writer who moved from South Africa in 1980 and began writing crime fiction in the mid-1990s. He has since gone on to win a number of awards including the Miles Franklin Award for Australian novels. This new 6 hour series does not seem to be based on a specific novel but rather it seems that the writers have taken the characters into a new story.

     As with the three films, the series features the titular Jack Irish (Guy Pearce) as the main character, and what an interesting and different lead character he is for a thriller/mystery plot. He is not a crusading cop, prosecutor, private detective or amateur sleuth as most protagonists in this sort of show are one or the other of. He is a gambler, involved with helping colourful racing identities, a debt collector, a sometimes lawyer and a cabinet making apprentice. He is a complex and interesting character who is trying to rebuild his life after his wife was murdered by a legal client of his 10 years before. He spends his days helping out his dodgy mates, collecting debts and hanging round his favourite pub, The Prince of Prussia which is one of the last bastions of belief that Fitzroy Football Club have not moved to Brisbane. His father was a Fitzroy star who died young in an alcohol fuelled fight. Characters which appeared in all three films and this series include his sort of boss, colourful racing identity Harry Strang (Roy Billing) and his minder, Cam (Aaron Pedersen), a policeman, Detective Barry Tregear who sort of helps Jack (Shane Jacobsen) and TV reporter/Jack's on/off girlfriend Linda Hillier (Marta Dusseldorp).

     This excellent series expands the stories beyond Victoria taking Linda on a journey to the Philippines and into the heart of terrorism. At the same time, Jack is asked to help out finding an ex-con Wayne Dilthey, however soon Dilthey is dead and Jack is accused of his murder. Also a young woman has gone missing after doing some missionary work in The Philippines for a 'happy clapper' style church called The Way of the Cross. The church is led by charismatic preacher, Rob Shand (Marcus Graham), who seems to know more about the missing girl than he is letting on. The girl, Tina Longmore (Brooke Satchwell) is also the daughter of an Australian Senator, who also seems to be involved. As the story continues, Jack meets the senator's other, older daughter, Sarah (Claudia Karvan) who has a bad relationship with her father. Jack and Sarah team up to investigate as their outcomes converge. The story goes in a number of different directions over the six episodes including big business, hired thugs, horse racing, Islamic terrorists, sex parties and more. As usual, there is lots of light relief from the old guys at The Prince of Prussia, the barman's romantic entanglements and the situations which Harry tends to put Jack into, this time including a racehorse stabled in Jack's courtyard.

     Taking this out of telemovies into a 6 hour series has allowed the writers to open up the plot and expand the show's horizons which is working really well. This is not to say that the other stories were not of quality just that the longer format helps to provide a more complex and layered story. As previously the acting is top drawer led by Pearce as the terminally depressed and downtrodden lead character. The writing and directing are also of top quality leading to an enthralling series. The series is spread across 2 dual layer Blu-ray discs.

     These movies are definitely something to savour for fans of quality Australian movie making, whether for television or the cinema. Recommended.

Video

     The video quality is very good.

     The series is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080i.

     The picture was nicely clear and sharp throughout, showing good facial detail. Shadow detail is very good.

     The colour is very good, showing off the various locations such as jungles and racetracks.

     There were no noticeable artefacts.

     There are subtitles in English for the Hearing Impaired which were clear and easy to read.

Video Ratings Summary

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

Audio

     The audio quality is very good.

     The discs contain an English soundtrack in DTS HD-MA 5.1. The soundtrack is clear and impactful with quite a lot of surround presence and front separation.

     Dialogue was reasonably clear and easy to understand although a little low in the mix at times.

     The music by David McCormack plays a significant role in the production, adding atmosphere and style.

     The surround speakers were well used for gun fights, explosions, chase scenes and music and the subwoofer supported the music and explosions.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

Menu

    The menu featured music and scenes.

Behind the Scenes (9:55)

    This series is not yet available outside of Region B.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall