Once Upon a Time in Anatolia Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" showcases an exquisitely detailed and visually stunning high-definition experience. Cinematographer Gökhan Tiryaki, utilizing Sony's F35 digital camera, captures the film in a 1080p/AVC encode with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, resulting in an impressive transfer. The nocturnal sequences, which dominate the first third of the movie, are rendered with minimal source noise and deep, inky black levels that highlight even the subtlest details. Car headlights piercing through the darkness reveal intricate elements like leaves fluttering in trees and distant streams under moonlight. The color grading is thoughtfully executed; the dusky yellow landscape bathed in golden headlights delivers a tonally fairy-tale yet realistic ambiance.

The daylight scenes transition seamlessly, offering equally rich and striking visuals. The contrasts are finely tuned, with warm, natural skin tones and a creamy, dusty quality in the highlights. Facial features, fabric textures, and environmental details are sharply defined without any edge enhancement issues. The weft of scarves, the nap of wool jackets, and the craggy terrain are all rendered with excellent clarity.

Despite the overall pristine quality of the visual presentation, one artifacting error is noticeable during a specific nighttime scene. This scene features banding around car headlights against a pitch-black background as they move along a road, but this two-second imperfection does little to detract from the otherwise near-perfect Blu-ray transfer. Cinema Guild's effort results in a visually compelling presentation that enhances the film’s narrative experience.

Cinema Guild's Blu-ray release of "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" provides two audio options, a Turkish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo fold-down, both offering distinct listening experiences. While the 2.0 stereo mix maintains clarity and precision, the 5.1 surround mix is highly recommended for those equipped with a multi-channel home theater system. This film, characterized by its quiet nature and lack of any musical score, is impressively supported by the immersive soundscapes crafted by the 5.1 mix. Opening scenes highlight the layered sound design, capturing environmental ambiances such as muffled indoor voices, shifting car movements, and natural outdoor sounds like wind and dogs barking, all providing an eerily realistic experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix excels in delivering a highly detailed acoustic environment. The mindful sound design accentuates the atmospheric qualities of rural Anatolia, making viewers feel as if they are part of the unfolding narrative. Dialogue clarity is superb, pristine through the center speaker, capturing nuances and subtleties even when characters speak off-screen. This attention to directional audio placement adds to the film's realism, making each rustle of leaves and distant cricket chirp feel eerily genuine. Highlights such as a striking thunderclap further showcase the dynamic range and authenticity achieved in this mix.

Overall, while the film's audio lacks the dramatics often found in police-centric narratives, it remains deeply engaging through its subtle yet powerful sound design. This Blu-ray release accomplishes a remarkable balance between dialogue clarity and environmental immersion, ensuring that every detail, from grisly autopsy noises to ambient country sounds, are rendered with high fidelity. English subtitles are provided and fit seamlessly within the frame, contributing to the overall viewing experience without distraction.

The Blu-ray edition of "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" offers an extensive collection of extras that provide deep insights into the film’s intricate production process and its artistic achievements. The standout feature is the comprehensive documentary, “The Making of Once Upon a Time in Anatolia,” which showcases director Nuri Bilge Ceylan meticulously directing the film and working closely with his actors. This disc also includes a rich array of content from the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting the film's significant moments and critical acclaim. An in-depth interview with Ceylan offers invaluable details about the production challenges, while Haden Guest's visual essay contextualizes Ceylan’s career within cinema history. The inclusion of trailers adds a commercial touch to the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Once Upon a Time in Anatolia: Feature-length documentary with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Anatolia in Cannes: Chronicles the film's presence at Cannes, from the photo call to the award ceremony.
• An Interview with Nuri Bilge Ceylan: Ceylan discusses production difficulties, lighting techniques, casting, and story.
• Lost in Thought: Haden Guest discusses Ceylan's career and frequent themes in his films.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original trailer for the film.
• Also from Cinema Guild: Trailers for other Cinema Guild releases.

Nuri Bilge Ceylan's "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" is an atmospheric, slow-burning police procedural set against the barren, rolling hills of rural Turkey. The film, which won the Grand Prix at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, centers on a nighttime search for a buried murder victim led by police officials and a local doctor. On its surface, it explores the monotony and existential themes prevalent in Ceylan’s style, echoing the meticulous narratives of Bergman and Tarkovsky. The film unfolds through long, deliberate takes and sparse dialogue, which will undoubtedly test the patience of some viewers. However, its deliberate pacing and carefully composed shots reward those willing to immerse themselves in its world.

The film is essentially a character study dressed as a procedural drama. The narrative meticulously unveils the inner lives of its characters through the deceptively simple quest for a body. The convoy's journey reveals layers of personal insecurities and reflections about purpose, depicted with naturalistic dialogue and meaningful pauses. A hypnotically repetitive structure provides a mythic quality to their search, creating an atmosphere that feels like an exceptionally realistic dream. As they navigate the indistinguishable landscape and deal with mundane interruptions, such as a group meal at a mayor's house interrupted by a power outage, deeper existential issues and poignant moments resurface.

"Anatolia" wraps up with the discovery of the body and returns to the light of day—both figuratively and literally—without delivering dramatic twists or confrontations typically expected in the genre. Instead, it focuses on small yet profound revelations about its characters: the disillusioned police chief, the compassionate doctor making difficult moral choices, and the tormented killer. In this way, "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" transcends traditional storytelling to reflect on human existence and mortality through its hauntingly methodical pace and poignant visuals. This film is not for everyone but offers a deeply enriching experience for those open to its unique tempo and philosophical depth.

The Blu-ray release of "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" epitomizes the meticulous craftsmanship and thought-provoking narrative style of director Nuri Bilge Ceylan. This film is a slow-burn experience that trades explosive drama for nuanced character exploration and atmospheric storytelling. Viewers looking for conventional cop drama elements may find the pacing deliberate and even challenging, but those willing to engage with its subtleties will find a richly layered work that rewards patient observation. Technically, the Blu-ray excels; the transfer highlights the stunning cinematography that captures the haunting beauty of the Anatolian landscape with exceptional clarity and detail.

Ceylan's film is often described as a visual masterpiece, praised for its aesthetic richness and evocative imagery. However, the pacing and narrative structure may polarize audiences. The film unfolds gradually, allowing ample time for reflection and immersion into the characters' existential musings. For some, this might border on tediousness, making the viewing experience feel more like a meditative exercise rather than an engagement with a traditional plot-driven story. Nonetheless, the Blu-ray's pristine video quality enhances every meticulously framed shot, while the audio design subtly yet effectively complements the visual storytelling.

Let's not kid ourselves; Once Upon a Time in Anatolia isn't for everyone. It's decidedly slow, short on dramatic intensity, and maybe frustratingly anti-climactic. But what some might write off as boring—a cop drama without any of the action—others will see as subtle and controlled, a mood piece that's perceptive about male identity and provokes more questions than it gives outright answers. The answers are there, though, for viewers patient enough to absorb and think about the film. This one definitely stands up to repeat viewings. Cinema Guild's Blu-ray presentation does justice to the film's gorgeous cinematography, and the disc is loaded with special features too. Highly recommended!