Into the White Blu-ray Review
Score: 51
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
"Into the White" succeeds with its convincing portrayal of wartime humanity, stunning Norwegian landscapes, and balanced narrative nuances, despite minimal supplements.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 59
Into the White's 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer effectively handles the film's wintry setting with strong black levels, precise contrast, and consistent fine detail. Despite its low-budget origins, it excels in presenting lifelike textures and frozen skin tones, offering a commendable balance between visual clarity and immersive storytelling.
Audio: 59
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix of 'Into the White' excels in atmospheric immersion, balancing crisp dialogue and nuanced environmental effects like blizzards and chilling echoes from the cabin, alongside limited yet impactful LFE elements. A commendable audio presentation for a dialogue-centric film.
Extra: 16
In 'AXS TV: A Look at Into the White,' film critics provide succinct plot walkthroughs and atmospheric acclaim, though their reviews lack neutrality due to affiliations with the film's releasing company. The extras include a brief promotional segment and the theatrical trailer.
Movie: 61
"Into the White," based on a true WWII story, effectively explores themes of survival and unlikely camaraderie between enemies with intense performances and a vivid portrayal of the harsh Norwegian landscape, despite some narrative shortcomings in depicting the passage of time and depth of character arcs.
Video: 59
The AVC encoded 1080p video presentation of "Into the White" (2.35:1 aspect ratio) impresses with its faithful representation of a wintry landscape accentuated by cool tones and stark contrasts. The film's visual integrity is maintained through consistent contrast levels, offering a clear balance between heavy blacks and whites. Although shadow details occasionally exhibit murkiness, the overall presentation successfully depicts the low-lit aspects without completely losing information. Fine details, especially in costumes and facial features, are satisfactory, revealing fibrous textures and minute creases that convey the narrative's intensity. The color palette, while predominantly monochromatic, features confident bursts of vivid elements like orange flames and snow-laden exterior views, adding vibrancy to the otherwise subdued visuals. Minor banding and pockets of noise are detected but do not significantly detract from the viewing experience.
Despite being limited to a 25GB Blu-ray disc, the 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer maintains a commendable brightness and sharpness throughout its 104-minute runtime. Director Peter Næss and cinematographer Daniel Voldheim employ a thoughtful approach to filming, prioritizing the actors' performances within the claustrophobic cabin setting over stylized visuals. The video never succumbs to a monotonous feel, thanks to high contrast levels that deliver a precise image with substantial depth. Black levels are notably strong, exhibiting excellent gradation without falling into banding or crush even amidst stark white backgrounds or complete darkness.
Further enhancing the disc's visual appeal, the image preserves a steady level of fine detail and texture. Wood grain on the cabin's walls and flooring remains consistently visible, while clothing and other environmental elements are rendered with remarkable clarity. Facial features are distinctly portrayed, benefiting from a phenomenal color balance that lends a lifelike quality to the characters, particularly highlighting skin tones affected by the brutal cold. This Blu-ray release stands out for its ability to draw viewers into its narrative while providing a clean, immersive visual experience.
Audio: 59
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix for "Into the White" excels in delivering an atmospheric and immersive auditory experience. The sound design effectively utilizes the surround channels to capture the harsh, wintry environment, creating a tangible sense of cold through blizzard conditions and crunchy atmospherics. Dialogue, predominantly delivered in English with occasional subtitles, is managed meticulously within the front stage, achieving a crisp, clean, and easily understood presentation. The limited but purposefully placed low-end effects resonate powerfully during heavy snowstorms and the film's infrequent wartime activity, adding to the overall tension and immersive experience.
Character dialogue, a central element of the film, is predominantly channeled through the center speaker, ensuring clarity and fidelity in conveying accents and emotional nuances. The rear front channels are adeptly employed to underscore the environmental elements, persistently reminding viewers of the relentless natural forces at play. The sound design harmonizes these elements with the film’s score, providing a balanced auditory landscape that enriches the narrative without overshadowing it. Despite its lower key than typical war films, "Into the White" leverages its DTS-HD MA 5.1 track to create a deeply engaging soundscape, proving to be a technically competent and emotionally resonant audio presentation.
Extras: 16
The Blu-ray of "Into the White" comes with a modest set of extras, which include an AXS TV featurette and the theatrical trailer. The AXS TV segment, hosted by film critic Robert Wilonsky, provides a basic overview of the film's plot and offers praise for its atmospheric execution. However, its value is limited as it essentially serves as an extended commercial without deeper insights, potentially compromised by Wilonsky's association with AXS TV, the same entity behind the film's release. The inclusion of the theatrical trailer is standard yet appreciated.
Extras included in this disc:
- AXS TV: A Look at 'Into the White': Hosted by Robert Wilonsky, provides an overview and praise for the movie.
- Theatrical Trailer: Standard inclusion showcasing key scenes.
Movie: 61
"Into the White" is a poignant exploration of humanity amid the brutal backdrop of WWII. Based on a true story, it chronicles the survival of German and British pilots stranded in a frozen Norwegian landscape after a fierce dogfight. With the loss of both planes, the adversaries are forced to coexist in an abandoned cabin, leading to an unplanned but inevitable confrontation. The film skillfully heightens tension through expressive performances and a narrative that inductively reveals the characters' transformation from sworn enemies to allies in their mutual struggle for survival.
Director Peter Næss constructs the drama with meticulous attention to spatial relationships, using the confined cabin setting to reflect internal conflicts and burgeoning camaraderie. Florian Lukas, Lachlan Nieboer, and Rupert Grint lead a strong ensemble cast, delivering nuanced portrayals of characters caught between duty and the instinct for human connection. The narrative sustains interest by deftly illustrating complex emotions through a well-paced storyline that rarely relies on combat scenes but instead finds suspense in psychological and environmental challenges.
The film’s thematic core lies in its exploration of the soldiers' gradual shift from hostility to empathy. Though some characters are reduced to symbols rather than fully fleshed-out individuals, this simplification serves the overarching message of shared humanity triumphing over ideological divides. Perhaps one of the most memorable sequences involves the group’s moral quandary over treating Schwartz’s gangrenous wound, a moment that encapsulates the harsh realities of their situation and the fragile hope of their growing solidarity. With its stark visuals and strong character interplay, "Into the White" transcends traditional war narratives to offer a sobering yet ultimately uplifting testament to human resilience and empathy.
Total: 51
"Into the White" is a refreshing departure from standard war films, distinguishing itself through its exploration of humanity amidst the harsh realities of wartime. Director Petter Naess wisely focuses on the nuanced relationships and evolving interactions within the confined space of the cabin, where soldiers from opposing sides must navigate their prejudices and survival instincts. The narrative intelligently balances moments of tension with lighter, comedic elements, and outdoor excursions that showcase the breathtaking Norwegian landscape.
Technically, the Blu-ray of "Into the White" excels in both picture and sound quality. The visual presentation effectively captures the stark contrast of the white, snowy vistas and the warmth within the cabin, enhancing the film's atmosphere. The audio ensures that every subtlety in dialogue and environmental sounds are faithfully reproduced, contributing to an immersive viewing experience. However, it is worth noting that the supplementary materials included with the disc could have been more comprehensive in offering deeper insights into the movie's production and thematic depth.
In conclusion, "Into the White" succeeds as a captivating portrayal of camaraderie and conflict, offering a potent reminder of shared humanity even amidst war. While it may not be the most revolutionary story in its genre, its technical prowess and heartfelt storytelling make it a commendable addition to any film collection.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 70
Shadow detail has several moments of murkiness, but it's rare to find the picture completely blocking out information, offering distances and distinction to low-lit areas of the frame....
Audio: 70
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix maintains the picture's interest in atmospheric severity with a pronounced sense of cold, submitting surrounds largely utilized to push out blizzard conditions, creating a faint...
Extras: 20
It's a glorified commercial with no value, with Wilsonsky's critique tainted by the fact that he works for AXS TV, which is owned by the same company that released "Into the White."...
Movie: 70
With only a dwindling bag of oatmeal to feed them and firewood accumulated by a gradual stripping of the shelter itself, the story hunkers down with these determined foes as they learn to trust one another...
Total: 70
Fragments of comedy are allowed to break the mood, and hunting adventures, chasing after rabbits and reindeer, move screen activity outside of the house, soaking up the majesty of the Norwegian countryside,...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
And while much of the film unfolds inside a wooden cabin with a snowstorm raging outside its windows, the image never feels monochromatic, or surrenders to the stark whiteness pouring in through the windows....
Audio: 80
Moreover, although the film doesn't pack any sequences of war, there are plenty of atmospheric elements at play that subtly and sometimes overtly are used to great effectiveness in creating a true sense...
Extras: 20
Film critic Ron Wolinsky takes you through a look at the film, while offering some astute analysis and his own opinion of 'Into the White.'...
Movie: 60
The action unfolds visually, like a stage play: the characters are forced to occupy the same space and therefore unwittingly unite against a common foe – which is, in this case, the elements raging outside,...
Total: 60
More importantly, the film handles its subject matter and the idea of humanity in every soldier with great aplomb that is convincing without being too heavy handed about the whole thing....
Director: Petter Næss
Actors: Florian Lukas, David Kross, Lachlan Nieboer
PlotSet during World War II, the story follows the fates of two airplane crews, one British and one German, who are shot down after a dogfight over Norway's desolate wilderness. Forced to take shelter in a remote hunting cabin amidst the harsh winter, the enemy soldiers find themselves having to depend on each other for survival. As supplies dwindle and the biting cold sets in, their shared ordeal blurs the lines of enmity, coercing them into an uneasy truce. Initial hostility gradually gives way to reluctant cooperation as they face nature's indifference and struggle to maintain a flicker of hope.
Confined in close quarters, the men grapple with their prejudices and preconceived notions, revealing their personal fears and hopes over shared meals and difficult conversations. This newfound camaraderie is tested by external threats as well as internal conflicts born out of desperation. The cabin, which initially feels like a prison, becomes a nexus for examining human resilience and the impact of war on individuals. Through mutual aid and shared experiences, they confront the fragility of their humanity, illustrating how extreme circumstances can forge unexpected bonds.
Writers: Ole Meldgaard, Dave Mango, Petter Næss
Release Date: 12 Apr 2013
Runtime: 104 min
Rating: R
Country: Norway, Sweden, France
Language: English, Norwegian, German