The Only Way Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation of "The Only Way" offers a dichotomy of visual experiences. On the positive side, VCI's remastering exhibits a commendable level of preserved and restored detail, with a consistent grain structure that maintains a filmic quality. Edges are clean, and fine textures shine, especially considering the film's age. Skintones are generally lifelike, though sporadic contrast issues introduce unwanted redness. The occasional lovely color moment is overshadowed by overarching inconsistencies that detract from the presentation.

Despite these merits, significant flaws mar the transfer. A pervasive yellow tint affects the overall aesthetic, indicative of an outdated master or poorly executed remastering. This yellowing diminishes contrast and vibrancy, rendering primary colors lacking in impact. Moreover, the image struggles with sharpness, while grain structure remains barely noticeable, undermining depth and refinement. Compression artifacts, including banding and macroblocking, are occasionally evident, especially in high-contrast or background elements.

Additional technical concerns include persistent print damage manifested as scratches and dust across numerous frames. The black levels tend to sink into a disconcerting blue, further impairing depth and contrast lost to the yellow hue. Overall, while there are aspects of the video presentation of "The Only Way" that showcase potential, the combination of yellowing, compression issues, and print imperfections results in an inconsistent viewing experience that falls short of expectations for a Blu-ray release.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release for "The Only Way" is delivered via a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, which, while serviceable, raises questions about its potential had a lossless option been utilized. The dialogue is generally clear and precise, though in some intense sequences, Carl Davis's score may overpower the spoken word. The surround channels are well implemented with smooth channel pans and the rear speakers assertive in delivering directional effects. Although the LFE output shines selectively, the overall quietness of the film justifies its limited presence. Given the film’s vintage '70s audio design and original elements, these aspects hold up decently despite some effects coming across as tinny and canned.

The codec's compression is evident, with the Dolby Digital format delivering a dry and sometimes lifeless quality to the dialogue. Occasional static and harshness can be detected from the original source material, which often seems to stem from live recordings on small, echo-filled sets. While not particularly dynamic or demanding, the audio mix manages to capture the essence of the film adequately for its reserved nature, yet it fails to fully utilize the potential benefits of a fuller lossless audio experience. Though it does not achieve outstanding auditory brilliance, its limitations do not disappoint significantly considering the context and period of the film’s production.

The sole extra feature on the Blu-ray edition of "The Only Way" is the 1946 documentary titled "Reunion." This 21-minute film provides a historical glimpse into the lives of Danish Jews who were fortunate to escape Nazi concentration camps. While this documentary adds significant historical context to the main feature, it is marred by several notable subtitle inaccuracies. For instance, an essential phrase is mistranslated, altering its meaning substantially—a frustrating oversight that detracts from the overall impact of the presentation. Overall, while the documentary offers insightful content relevant to the film's narrative, its flawed subtitling diminishes its potential effectiveness.

Extras included in this disc:

• Reunion: A 21-minute 1946 documentary exploring the experiences of Danish Jews escaping Nazi camps, though marred by inaccurate subtitles.

"The Only Way" Blu-ray release attempts to dramatize a harrowing true story from World War II, but ultimately struggles to convey the emotional depth and urgency that its grave subject matter demands. As the film follows the escape of Danish Jews from Nazi forces, it faces criticism for failing to engage the audience with tension or a compelling narrative. The performance of Jane Seymour, despite her prominence on the cover art, is largely sidelined, leaving her role as an inadvertent measure of the film’s intensity rather than a driving force in the story. The rest of the cast is similarly underwhelming, with portrayals that lack the necessary convincing fear and emotional resonance.

Cinematography and score do little to elevate the film's atmosphere, with Henning Kristiansen's visuals failing to capture the jeopardy of the characters’ situations. Carl Davis's score, though intense, contrasts sharply with the film’s overall lack of tension, creating a tonal dissonance that undermines potential suspenseful moments. Despite some brief effective scenes showcasing genuine fear and uncertainty among both extras and main characters, "The Only Way" often feels like it is simply going through the motions rather than diving deeply into its thematic and historical depth.

While there is a case for subtlety in depicting sensitive historical events, the film’s bumpy execution misses opportunities to truly capture the harrowing reality faced by its characters. As a result, significant moments and narrative elements — such as a violin motif — come across as contrived rather than substantial. The final act does manage to inject some interest and authentic tension as Nazi forces close in, but even this effort feels undermined by preceding scenes’ failure to illustrate the dire stakes effectively, reducing what should have been a gripping and heart-wrenching historical portrayal into an overly subdued retelling.

"The Only Way" on Blu-ray is an ambitious endeavor that unfortunately falls short in capturing the gravity of a powerful true story. While the narrative centers around the harrowing attempts of Danish Jews to escape Nazi occupation, the execution lacks the emotional depth and tension expected from such a dramatic tale. The film's direction and screenplay fail to harness the potential of the historical material, leading to a depiction that feels superficial and lacks visceral impact. Jane Seymour, despite her prominence on the cover, struggles within the constraints of a script and direction that do not utilize her talents effectively.

The Blu-ray release itself compounds these issues further. The video transfer is subpar, detracting from the visual experience with noteworthy imperfections that distract rather than engage. Meanwhile, the audio, offered in a lossy 5.1 format, delivers merely average performance, failing to immerse viewers in the purported suspense and drama. The supplementary material is a missed opportunity to provide context or insight, instead consisting of an unrelated and technically flawed 1946 documentary.

Overall, "The Only Way" fails to do justice to its real-life inspiration on both artistic and technical fronts. Commentary suggests seeking out written accounts of this historical chapter rather than experiencing it through this particular cinematic adaptation. Despite its intentions and historical significance, neither the film nor its Blu-ray rendition compensate for the significant gaps left in storytelling and presentation.