My take: Seven Years in Tibet

HD Goofnut · 09-27-2009, 06:43 PM

Title: Seven Years in Tibet
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc
Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Audio: 5.1 Linear PCM
Aspect Ratio: 2:40:1
Subtitles: Many languages
Run time: 136 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Region Coding: Region Free
Player used for review: LG BH200

Cast/Crew Info:
Brad Pitt as Heinrich Harrer
David Thewlis as Peter Aufschnaiter
B.D. Wong as Ngawang Jigme
Mako as Kungo Tsarong
Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud

My take: (the breakdown)

I missed Seven Years in Tibet in 1997, but I always told myself that I would one day sit down and watch it from beginning to end and that was yesterday. The story is sort of based on Heinrich Harrer, the famous Austrian mountain climber from the 1930s. Through a series of unfortunate events Heinrich (Pitt) and his good friend Peter (Thewlis) end up in the holy city of the Dalai Lama in Tibet. Everything is actually going well for both men until China invades Tibet during World War II claiming that it is part of their country. Filled with drama, suspense, and wonderful acting I say that this film is worth at least a rental and even a purchase for fans.

For a movie that was 10 years old as of this Blu-ray release in 2007 I was rather impressed by this presentation. Colors are extremely bold and vivid during the entire run time. Flesh tones are also accurate. There are however some unresolved blacks in some of the darker scenes. Grain is moderate, but it remains consistent throughout. Also, several of the wide panoramic shots are noticeably softer than the close up shots and even some of them are rather soft looking.

We are supplied with a 5.1 Linear PCM track that is adequate for the most part. Dialogue is understandable in the majority, but it was a little hard to hear on occasion. Also, the surrounds don't really get much use until the Chinese become involved and even then it seems weak. The sub doesn't really see much use either. I would imagine that this lackluster track is probably a victim of the original source material.

We don't even get a trailer with this release. What was Sony thinking?

Movie: 8/10
VQ: 8/10
AQ: 7/10
Supplements: 0/10
Final word: A Purchase For Fans

As always thanks for reading folks.

tvine2000 · 09-27-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Title: Seven Years in Tibet
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc
Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Audio: 5.1 Linear PCM
Aspect Ratio: 2:40:1
Subtitles: Many languages
Run time: 136 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Region Coding: Region Free
Player used for review: LG BH200

Cast/Crew Info:
Brad Pitt as Heinrich Harrer
David Thewlis as Peter Aufschnaiter
B.D. Wong as Ngawang Jigme
Mako as Kungo Tsarong
Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud

My take: (the breakdown)

I missed Seven Years in Tibet in 1997, but I always told myself that I would one day sit down and watch it from beginning to end and that was yesterday. The story is sort of based on Heinrich Harrer, the famous Austrian mountain climber from the 1930s. Through a series of unfortunate events Heinrich (Pitt) and his good friend Peter (Thewlis) end up in the holy city of the Dalai Lama in Tibet. Everything is actually going well for both men until China invades Tibet during World War II claiming that it is part of their country. Filled with drama, suspense, and wonderful acting I say that this film is worth at least a rental and even a purchase for fans.

For a movie that was 10 years old as of this Blu-ray release in 2007 I was rather impressed by this presentation. Colors are extremely bold and vivid during the entire run time. Flesh tones are also accurate. There are however some unresolved blacks in some of the darker scenes. Grain is moderate, but it remains consistent throughout. Also, several of the wide panoramic shots are noticeably softer than the close up shots and even some of them are rather soft looking.

We are supplied with a 5.1 Linear PCM track that is adequate for the most part. Dialogue is understandable in the majority, but it was a little hard to hear on occasion. Also, the surrounds don't really get much use until the Chinese become involved and even then it seems weak. The sub doesn't really see much use either. I would imagine that this lackluster track is probably a victim of the original source material.

We don't even get a trailer with this release. What was Sony thinking?

Movie: 8/10
VQ: 8/10
AQ: 7/10
Supplements: 0/10
Final word: A Purchase For Fans

As always thanks for reading folks.

Last time i saw this film i had the dvd flipper,remember those.
Maybe its time for a second look.

HD Goofnut · 09-27-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvine2000

Last time i saw this film i had the dvd flipper,remember those.
Maybe its time for a second look.

If you can rent it or buy it for less than $15 it would be a worthy investment just for the large increase in PQ.

iDarren · 10-25-2009, 08:37 AM

Yes, nice PQ. I found the dialogue easy to follow.

09-27-2009, 06:43 PM	#1
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,852	My take: Seven Years in Tibet Title: Seven Years in Tibet BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 Audio: 5.1 Linear PCM Aspect Ratio: 2:40:1 Subtitles: Many languages Run time: 136 minutes Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Rating: PG-13 Region Coding: Region Free Player used for review: LG BH200 Cast/Crew Info: Brad Pitt as Heinrich Harrer David Thewlis as Peter Aufschnaiter B.D. Wong as Ngawang Jigme Mako as Kungo Tsarong Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud My take: (the breakdown) I missed Seven Years in Tibet in 1997, but I always told myself that I would one day sit down and watch it from beginning to end and that was yesterday. The story is sort of based on Heinrich Harrer, the famous Austrian mountain climber from the 1930s. Through a series of unfortunate events Heinrich (Pitt) and his good friend Peter (Thewlis) end up in the holy city of the Dalai Lama in Tibet. Everything is actually going well for both men until China invades Tibet during World War II claiming that it is part of their country. Filled with drama, suspense, and wonderful acting I say that this film is worth at least a rental and even a purchase for fans. For a movie that was 10 years old as of this Blu-ray release in 2007 I was rather impressed by this presentation. Colors are extremely bold and vivid during the entire run time. Flesh tones are also accurate. There are however some unresolved blacks in some of the darker scenes. Grain is moderate, but it remains consistent throughout. Also, several of the wide panoramic shots are noticeably softer than the close up shots and even some of them are rather soft looking. We are supplied with a 5.1 Linear PCM track that is adequate for the most part. Dialogue is understandable in the majority, but it was a little hard to hear on occasion. Also, the surrounds don't really get much use until the Chinese become involved and even then it seems weak. The sub doesn't really see much use either. I would imagine that this lackluster track is probably a victim of the original source material. We don't even get a trailer with this release. What was Sony thinking? Movie: 8/10 VQ: 8/10 AQ: 7/10 Supplements: 0/10 Final word: A Purchase For Fans As always thanks for reading folks. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *Men in Black* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

10-25-2009, 08:37 AM	#4
iDarren Hi-Def Junkie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Blu-ray HQ Awards: World's Sexiest Male 2006/2007/2008 Posts: 2,990	Yes, nice PQ. I found the dialogue easy to follow. __________________ www.bogieonline.com www.mcqueenonline.com www.saunaandspascene.com www.projectorreviewcentral.com

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