The Salvation Blu-ray Review

"The Salvation" Blu-ray delivers an exceptional 1080p, AVC-encoded video presentation that truly transports viewers to the meticulously constructed American West. Filmed with an Ari Alexa Plus and processed through a digital intermediate, the results are engaging and visually stunning. The film employs a painterly approach with deep, saturated earth tones dominating the daytime scenes, while the night scenes benefit from an overcranked contrast that imparts them an almost hallucinatory quality. These stylistic choices are faithfully reproduced on this Blu-ray, ensuring that every detail, from particles of dust to drops of blood, is rendered with precision.

Color reproduction is noteworthy. The persistent golden hue characterizes the desert surroundings without compromising the natural appearance of flesh tones, which vary appropriately between pale and tan. Detail levels are outstanding, capturing the intricacies of the production design and costuming beautifully. Despite some viewers potentially finding the digital appearance occasionally too prominent, the image is lush and detailed. Occupying a BD-50 and boasting an average bitrate just under 35 Mbps, it offers ample bandwidth for such digitally acquired material, resulting in a luxurious viewing experience.

Black levels are generally deep and inky, lending the film a fantastic sense of depth. However, some inconsistencies arise due to varying contrast levels, particularly seen in the purposeful color grading of day-for-night shots where some crush and detail loss occur. These instances are sporadic and do not significantly detract from the overall visual quality of the Blu-ray presentation. Overall, "The Salvation" on Blu-ray is a visual feast that expertly balances historical authenticity with stylized artfulness.

The audio presentation of "The Salvation" on Blu-ray is an impressive example of sound design and mixing. Utilizing a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, the film effectively transports viewers into its windswept landscapes and chaotic gunfights. From the opening scenes, the ambient sounds—such as the wind whipping around Jon Jensen and his brother as they await a train—are immersive and evocative. Horse hooves clopping, stagecoach wheels turning, gunshots, and creaking wooden floors are all rendered with striking clarity, anchoring viewers in the film’s rugged atmosphere.

Dialogue, predominantly in English with occasional subtitled Danish, is crisp and well-placed, ensuring that it remains clear and front-centered without overshadowing the film's sound effects or score. The score by Danish composer Kasper Winding combines Western and mariachi elements, brought to life with mournful guitars that blend seamlessly into the film’s soundscape. Gunfights are a particular highlight, with the initial booming crack of gunfire followed by a trailing echo that fades into the expansive scenery, creating an exhilarating auditory experience.

Additionally, the disc offers a PCM 2.0 stereo track, which, while maintaining a sense of imaging and presence, pales in comparison to the immersive DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround track. The stereo option feels noticeably flatter and somewhat hollow in places, lacking the rich atmospheric texture provided by the surround channels. It’s clear that the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track is where "The Salvation" truly shines, capturing the full scope of its intricate sound design and delivering an outstanding audio experience.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Salvation" for Region A comes with several informative extras that enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film. The interviews, which amass to nearly 46 minutes, feature prominent cast members and the co-writer discussing the production, their roles, and the shooting experience. Although insightful, these tend to be repetitive as similar topics are revisited by different individuals. The behind-the-scenes segment, a collection of promotional spots compiled together, covers various production elements briefly but lacks depth. Additionally, the disc includes a trailer for the film and additional trailers that autoplay at startup.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews: Cast and co-writer discuss production and roles.
• Behind the Scenes: Brief segments on different production aspects.
• Trailer: Official movie trailer.
• Additional Trailers: Other film trailers playing at startup.

Kristian Levring's "The Salvation" stands as a notable entry in the Western genre, offering a distinctively Danish perspective while respecting time-honored traditions. Levring, with Danish screenwriter Anders Thomas Jensen, crafted a narrative rooted in classic Western archetypes, paying homage to 62 cinematic references according to Blu-ray extras. Filming in South Africa's vast landscapes provided an effective stand-in for America’s frontier, mirroring Sergio Leone’s use of Spain for his spaghetti Westerns. Mads Mikkelsen anchors the film as Jon Jensen, a former Danish soldier thrust into a relentless quest for vengeance against Henry Delarue (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), following the brutal murder of his wife and son by Delarue's brother.

The film's narrative structure follows familiar revenge Western motifs, but it suffers from pacing issues specifically regarding character development. The immediacy with which Jon’s tragedy strikes denies the audience a deeper emotional connection to his loss. This narrative gap lessens the impact of his ensuing struggles and the townspeople's apparent betrayal. Despite this, standout performances by Mikkelsen and Eva Green—who plays the enigmatic and mute Madelaine—lend the film a brooding intensity and elevate its often predictable storyline. Green’s silent yet profound portrayal adds layers to the character dynamics at play.

Borrowing heavily from genre classics such as "Unforgiven" and "A Fistful of Dollars," "The Salvation" manages to uphold the excitement of a traditional Western while freshening it with its unique Danish twist. While not reinventing the genre, Levring’s film avoids being bogged down by pretension, offering strong performances and a sufficiently engaging plot. The movie may not rank among the all-time great Westerns but stands as an evocative and entertaining addition to the canon, rewarding viewers with its rich visual storytelling and visceral gunfights.

"The Salvation" Blu-ray stands out as a meticulously crafted addition to the Western genre. Mads Mikkelsen delivers a gripping performance, bringing a raw intensity to this revenge tale set in the American West. The film benefits from an excellent mix of U.S., British, Danish, Scottish, and Corsican actors, adding authenticity to its melting-pot setting, a point highlighted in the interviews included in this edition. The direction by Kristian Levring captures the stark landscapes beautifully, with the cinematography bringing an almost palpable sense of the arid wilderness. The audio and visual presentation on this Blu-ray are top-tier, with sharp image quality and an immersive sound experience that enhances the storytelling remarkably.

Despite not breaking any new ground for the genre, "The Salvation" is a well-crafted piece of cinema that succeeds in delivering a classic Western experience. The film's earnest attention to detail and its solid narrative structure are significant strengths. Technical elements such as color grading and sound design are executed with precision, providing an engaging viewing experience. However, the Blu-ray's additional content falls short, with sparse bonus features that could have provided invaluable context and deeper insights into the making of the film.

In conclusion, through the interviews included with this Blu-ray edition, the multi-national cast and crew of "The Salvation" aptly reflect the diverse history of the American West. While there are opportunities for further exploration by other directors, this film stands as a testament to fulfilling childhood dreams of making a Western. The Blu-ray is technically solid; viewers are encouraged to decide for themselves about the film's merits. Despite its lackluster bonus features, "The Salvation" is recommended for its strong A/V presentation and committed performances.