Terrors of Tasmania (2004) |
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General | Extras | ||
Category | Documentary |
Main Menu Audio Featurette-Interview With David Parer And Elizabeth Parer-Cook |
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Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 2004 | ||
Running Time | 50:39 (Case: 57) | ||
RSDL / Flipper | No/No | Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Ads Then Menu | ||
Region Coding | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Directed By | None Given |
Studio
Distributor |
Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring | None Given |
Case | Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip | ||
RPI | $29.95 | Music | None Given |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None | English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) | |
Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement |
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Video Format | 576i (PAL) | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | None | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
Thanks to the cartoon character, the most famous thing to come out of Tasmania globally is probably the Tasmanian Devil, although Errol Flynn might argue otherwise. This documentary sets out to explain in more detail what Tasmanian Devils are really like and whether they are the crazy vicious things they are made out to be. This documentary was made by Australians David Parer & Elizabeth Parer-Cook, who have made many well known and award-winning documentaries such as one I reviewed earlier, Wolves of the Sea. Terrors of Tasmania is a co-production between the ABC and National Geographic Television and was made in 2004. The show is narrated by Eric Bana in a very blokey and slightly monotonal way.
It focuses on a wild female, Manganinni, how she chooses a mate, mating rituals (which are all a bit rough and aggressive), birth and rearing of her pups. Some captive Tasmanian Devils are used to provide more detail about the mate choosing process. Also covered are the various threats to their existence in the wild such as a dangerous virus which is killing them, human interaction, feeding habits and their relationship to other carnivores such as quolls.
This is a high quality documentary which includes some wonderful photography, especially the detail of the inside of wild Devil's burrows. It does get a PG rating for adult themes, which is probably deserved considering some of the gynaecological and slightly distasteful details about various bodily fluids and how one goes about checking for them. Recommended but not for the young ones.
The video quality is very good, bordering on excellent.
The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio 16x9 enhanced which is the original aspect ratio.
The picture was very clear and sharp throughout, with no evidence of low level noise. Shadow detail was excellent.
The colour was wonderful, rich and solid throughout.
I noticed one spot at 20:58 and some very minor aliasing at 34:55 on some wires. Nothing to complain about really.
There are no subtitles.
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Overall |
The audio quality is very good.
This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 224 Kb/s.
The narration was clear and easy to understand.
The music by Ricky Edwards is very good and sounds excellent in this transfer.
The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.
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Audio Sync | |
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Subwoofer | |
Overall |
The menu included music but was otherwise very simple.
This is actually a complete episode of George Negus Tonight, an ABC show, which features a long interview with the couple who made this film. They discuss how they got into filmmaking, how they met, their careers and environmental views. Interesting and a worthwhile inclusion.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
This disc is only available in Region 4 but is coded for all regions.
The video quality is very good.
The audio quality is very good.
The disc has an interview with the creators as its only extra.
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Review Equipment | |
DVD | Pioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output |
Display | Sony FD Trinitron Wega KV-AR34M36 80cm. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL)/480i (NTSC). |
Audio Decoder | Built in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials. |
Amplification | Pioneer VSX-511 |
Speakers | Bose 201 Direct Reflecting (Front), Phillips SB680V (Surround), Phillips MX731 (Center), Yamaha YST SW90 (Sub) |