PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Black Robe (Icon) (1991)

Black Robe (Icon) (1991)

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Released 2-Dec-2009
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Details At A Glance

General		Extras
Category	Drama	Main Menu Introduction Menu Animation & Audio Theatrical Trailer
Rating
Year Of Production	1991
Running Time	100:29
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu	Cast & Crew
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Bruce Beresford
Studio Distributor	Icon Entertainment	Starring	Lothaire Bluteau Aden Young August Schellenberg Sandrine Holt
Case	Amaray-Transparent	Starring
RPI	$24.95	Music	Georges Delerue

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	Auto Pan & Scan Encoded	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.75:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.85:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No	Miscellaneous
Subtitles	English English Titling	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

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Plot Synopsis

You may or may not be aware that the Dendy films back catalogue has moved distributor in Australia from Magna Pacific to Icon. As part of this move many films are being re-released on DVD by Icon. Some of these titles are being released on Blu-ray for the first time. Some of the standard definition releases are exactly the same as their Magna Pacific forebears and others have some changes. In this case, Black Robe, the film was originally released by Magna Pacific in 2002 and reviewed by us here . This new edition seems to be exactly the same as the previous release and owners of that disc need read no further as there is certainly no reason to re-purchase.

The previous review by Brandon Vogt gives a good rundown of the film's plot which does not need to be repeated here. Black Robe is certainly a very worthwhile film with beautiful scenery, a haunting score and an emotion charged atmosphere which really makes you feel the savagery and beauty of the Canadian locations. I can't say that this film will ever be a favourite of mine but I am certainly pleased to have seen it after having it on my list for many years.

All in all, this re-release is only occurring due to a change in distributor and does not offer anything more than the previous edition, which is a shame because this film could have used a restoration and some extras.

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Transfer Quality

Video

The video quality is decent but certainly nothing special. I think the difference in my views on this transfer and Brandon's are due to the 7 year difference between our reviews. Transfers have come a long way in that time and this one has been stuck in a time warp.

The feature is presented in an approximately 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is close to the original aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced widescreen.

The picture was reasonably clear and sharp but somewhat variable with some scenes being quite soft and others sharper. Shadow detail was average probably due to on location shooting. There was some light grain at times.

The colour was quite dull driven partially by the film's colour scheme but the included trailer has more vibrant colour than the feature so there is more to it than just the colour scheme.

There were some mild MPEG artefacts but nothing too obvious, some white spots here and there and some obvious edge enhancement such as at 32:30.

There are subtitles In English for all dialogue or another stream which only translates the significant amounts of Indian language dialogue.

There is no layer change.

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

Audio

The audio is good.

This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s) soundtrack. It is very front and centre focused.

Dialogue was generally clear and easy to understand although some accents proved a challenge.

The music by Georges Delarue is wonderfully atmospheric and dramatic.

The surround speakers were not used and the subwoofer was used for music and drumbeats.

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

Extras

Trailer

Cropped 4x3 trailer which has better colour than the main transfer.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

Nothing seems to have changed in this department globally, so this local release is pretty much the same as the Region 1 version. Draw.

Summary

A beautifully shot and somewhat harrowing tale of Jesuits in the Canadian wilderness in 1634.

The video quality is decent.