El Sur Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray presentation of Víctor Erice's El Sur is provided in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p transfer, utilizing MPEG-4 AVC encoding. This new digital transfer was meticulously created in 2K resolution using a Lasergraphics Director film scanner from a 35mm low-contrast print derived from the original A/B roll negative. A previous transfer supervised by Erice was referenced during the color grading process, ensuring authenticity and fidelity to the director's vision. The restoration involved intensive manual removal of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps via MTI Film's DRS as well as Digital Vision's Phoenix for jitter, flicker, small dirt, grain, and noise management.

Visually, the film boasts an impressive high-definition look with a pleasingly organic appearance. The color grading is exceptional, showcasing a dynamic range of primaries that adeptly adjust the temperature and tone of sequences, complemented by a variety of earthy nuances. The contrast levels are robust, providing depth especially in darker scenes. Black levels are deep and inky, while skin tones remain natural. Image stability is extraordinary; no traces of degraining, sharpening adjustments, or other artifacts such as banding, aliasing, or video noise can be found. Every textural detail is sharply rendered, from the nuances in facial features and costume stitching to the smallest elements of set design, enhancing the film’s painterly quality.

This meticulous restoration ensures that El Sur retains its cinematic essence while benefiting from modern technological advancements. It is noteworthy that this Region-A locked Blu-ray mandates a compatible Region-A or Region-Free player to access its content. Criterion’s expertise in preserving the film's visual integrity solidifies this release as a superior high-definition experience.

The Blu-ray release of "El Sur" offers a Spanish DTS-HD MA 1.0 audio track, effectively maintaining the integrity of the original mono soundtrack. English subtitles are provided, ensuring the dialogue is accessible. The audio presentation is notably clean and stable, with no reported digital distortions or dropouts. Enric Granados' score, an integral component of the film, enhances the overall atmosphere even if it does not significantly alter the film's dynamic intensity. Dialogue remains clear and easy to follow, ensuring a satisfactory viewing experience.

However, while the original soundtrack has been meticulously remastered from the 35mm print, including the manual removal of clicks, thumps, hiss, crackles, and hums, there are certain limitations that persist. The audio track can occasionally sound tinny, particularly in high dynamic moments where it almost feels blown out. Furthermore, some higher notes in the score may come across as screechy. Although maintaining the original state of the audio track is nostalgic and faithful to the source material, a more comprehensive remastering could have potentially mitigated these issues and offered a richer auditory experience. Despite these minor drawbacks, the authenticity and clarity of dialogue provide a serviceable audio presentation.

The extras on this Blu-ray release of "El Sur" provide comprehensive insights into the film's creation and its cultural impact. Director Victor Erice offers a deep dive into the film's original concept and its journey to Cannes in a detailed interview. The making-of featurette includes rare interviews with key cast and crew, revealing backstories and technical perspectives on production choices. An archival episode of the Spanish television program "Que Grande es el Cine" features critics dissecting the film's stylistic nuances and its literary origins. The set is complemented by a 44-page novella by Adelaida García Morales and an illustrated booklet with critical essays and detailed credits.

Extras included in this disc:

• Victor Erice: Archival featurette with detailed discussion on the film's concept and Cannes reception.
• The Making of El Sur: Archival interviews with cast and crew, focused on production history.
• Que Grande es el Cine: Critics' analysis of the film's style and literary origin.
• El Sur: Adelaida García Morales's original 44-page novella.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with Elvira Lindo's essay and technical credits.

Victor Erice's El Sur (1983) arrives on Blu-ray, encapsulating a masterful cinematic experience riveted by introspection and poetic visuals. This Criterion release highlights the film's restrained elegance through the lens of Spanish cinematographer Jose Luis Alcaine, whose nuance with light, shadow, and color bolsters the subtle yet significant ambiance that carries the narrative. The movie unfolds in a quiet provincial area in Northern Spain, where young Estrella embarks on a journey to untangle the mysteries surrounding her father, Agustin. His enigmatic presence, alternating between distance and secrecy, forms the core of Estrella’s life quest, which she navigates as she matures from childhood.

The film's penchant for sensory engagement over vivid visuals is profoundly complemented by Enrique Granados' haunting piano score, weaving an emotional undercurrent throughout Estrella's exploration of her father's past. Despite the film's unfinished status due to curtailed production time, Erice’s original vision intended to expand further into Andalusia, elucidating more of Agustin’s double life and providing a different narrative closure. However, this open-ended conclusion accentuates the meditative and atmospheric experience, allowing viewers to revel in ambiguity.

Based on Adelaida García Morales' short story, El Sur uses Estrella’s imagination to access a deeper cultural and historical appreciation of Spain. This Criterion release includes archival interviews with Erice and essential cast, illuminating the creative processes behind the film, and comes with optional English subtitles for non-Spanish speakers. The Blu-ray's technical execution ensures a pristine presentation, while supplemental materials such as an illustrated essay by Elvira Lindo and the novella enhance understanding and engagement with this enigmatic and layered piece of cinema history.

Criterion's recent Blu-ray release of "El Sur" offers an exceptional presentation of Victor Erice's evocative film, sourced from a stunning new 2K restoration. The delicately woven narrative, which tells the story of a young girl's quest to uncover her father's enigmatic past, is visually mesmerizing. Each frame captures the dream-like atmosphere quintessential to Erice's storytelling style. Although in some ways the film remains unfinished, it stands as a powerful cinematic accomplishment, filled with subtle emotions and understated beauty.

The Blu-ray's video transfer is superb, leveraging the high-definition format to enhance the film's intricate visual details. However, some reviewers noted that the original audio track wasn't as compelling, suggesting minor deficiencies in aural fidelity. Despite this, the presentation still manages to bring life to one of the finest Spanish motion pictures ever made. The package is complemented by insightful bonus features, including a copy of the original novel by Adelaida García Morales, which inspired the film. While not overly abundant, these extras are definitely enriching and add significant value.

In conclusion, I disagree with some of the Spanish critics who have argued that "El Sur" is Victor Erice's masterpiece—"The Spirit of the Beehive" holds that honor for me. Nevertheless, I can't think of another film quite like this unfinished gem. For anyone who has yet to experience it, now is the perfect time. Criterion's Blu-ray release is an impressive tribute to Erice's work. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.