The Aftermath Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Aftermath" is impressive, boasting a 1.85:1 AVC encoded 1080p transfer that effectively captures the film's elegant and at times haunting visual style. Shot with Alexa Mini cameras, the cinematography by Franz Lustwig imbues the film with a dreamy and surreal quality, featuring a distinctive sepia tone for interior scenes. These sepia shots are interspersed with stark, alabaster white levels that almost pop off the screen. The fine details are remarkable, with the creases on faces, the textures of costumes, and the intricate production design elements all rendered with exceptional clarity. Whites are handled well, avoiding blooming and allowing for crisp, natural highlights. Blacks are rich and deep, providing excellent shadow detail and giving the film a three-dimensional depth.

While some CGI scenes depicting post-war devastation in Hamburg may appear slightly soft in fine detail, they don’t detract from the overall impact. The landscape shots and interiors, particularly the details within the Lubert mansion, showcase meticulous attention to historical accuracy, down to items supposedly designed by Mies van der Rohe. The outdoor scenes utilize a palette of slate grays and ice-cold blues, aligning well with the wintery setting and production design. Facial skin tones maintain a healthy palette despite the varying light conditions, ensuring a consistent and attractive visual presentation throughout.

Overall, "The Aftermath" provides a visually compelling experience on Blu-ray, balancing bright whites, punchy blacks, and detailed texturing. It remains an exceptional standard 1080p transfer that masterfully handles the film’s unique aesthetic and complex lighting scenarios. The visual richness of this transfer would likely see an enhancement if available on UHD with HDR technology.

"The Aftermath" delivers an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that balances intimacy with power, employing both subtle and dynamic sound elements effectively. The soundtrack showcases Martin Phipps' evocative music score, seamlessly blending orchestrated instrumentation in the front channels with ambient extensions in the rear. This thoughtful allocation enhances the immersive experience. Dialogue is consistently rendered with clarity, ensuring good intonation without forgoing natural room penetration. The sound design excels in quiet sequences as well as more active scenes, such as the atmospheric ambiance in the Hamburg rubble sequences, complete with crisp wintery echoes and notable surround activity. Dynamic range is well-suited to the dramatic nature of the film, making for a gratifying auditory experience.

The film utilizes subtle music cues for emotional impact, with moments of low-end bass from events such as gunfire and explosions punctuating the more dramatic scenes. Surround speakers are actively engaged, rendering elemental sounds vividly—whether it's the hum of a train station or whispered conversations that heighten intimacy. Imaging and directional spacing are impeccably executed, with soundstage pans integrating seamlessly. Although predominantly front-heavy, the mix offers a satisfying level of activity and discrete sound placement that supports the on-screen action effectively. Particularly noteworthy is the opening sequence involving an air raid, where palpable low-frequency effects create an engulfing auditory experience.

Atmospherics remain consistently engaging throughout, even during quieter moments within confined spaces like the Lubert mansion. Dialogue maintains a high degree of clarity and cleanliness across varied scenes, ensuring that even during intense dramatic climaxes, the audio levels are balanced without requiring adjustment. The German characters’ dialogue is presented authentically with English subtitles provided when necessary, enhancing the film's immersive quality. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix of "The Aftermath" stands out for its superb execution and nuanced attention to both environmental and emotive sonic details.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Aftermath" present a cohesive and enlightening view of the film's production. The highlight is undoubtedly the feature audio commentary by Director James Kent, which offers in-depth insights into the movie’s creation. The collector’s package includes deleted scenes and VFX progressions, both with optional commentary that delves into the technical aspects of visual effects and scene development. While the "First Look" feature provides standard behind-the-scenes content, including interviews and on-set footage, it serves as a substantial introduction to the film's making. Additionally, the gallery section can be navigated manually or automatically, offering a visual supplement to the overall extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Director, James Kent: Brief explorations cut from the final film.
• VFX Progressions with optional commentary by Director, James Kent: Insight into visual effects work.
• First Look: Standard EPK with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Feature Audio Commentary by Director James Kent: In-depth production details.
• Gallery: Visual stills from the film.

"The Aftermath," directed by James Kent, weaves a tale of romance and personal struggle set against the turbulent backdrop of post-WWII Germany. The narrative, based on Rhidian Brook's 2013 novel, revolves around Rachael Morgan (Keira Knightley), her husband Colonel Lewis Morgan (Jason Clarke), and German widower Stefan Lubert (Alexander Skarsgård). As the Morgans settle into Lubert's mansion during the cold winter months of 1946, a tense and complex situation unfolds. Rachael, grappling with the death of her son and emotional detachment from Lewis, finds a kindred spirit in Lubert, who mourns his own wife's demise. The film meticulously illustrates their developing bond under the strains of shared grief and the stark realities of wartime devastation.

The film excels in portraying the harsh post-war conditions of Hamburg: a once-vibrant city now marred by bombed-out buildings and desolate streets coated with winter snow. These visuals contrast starkly with the luxurious interiors of Lubert's mansion, where much of the human drama unfolds. Kent ensures that the romantic elements between Rachael and Lubert do not feel hurried, instead giving ample time for their relationship to grow naturally amidst their grief. This is complemented by strong performances from Knightley, Clarke, and Skarsgård, who bring depth and nuance to their characters’ fraught emotions.

However, "The Aftermath" falters in its execution of multiple subplots. The blend of romance and political tension—Lewis's battles against insurgent resistance—creates an uneven tone. The film struggles with pacing, alternating between rushed resolutions and languid scenes. This imbalance detracts from its overall impact, leaving some storylines underdeveloped. While it boasts beautiful cinematography and an engaging premise, "The Aftermath" ultimately feels like it would benefit from a longer format to fully explore its intricate narrative threads. Despite its shortcomings, it remains a visually captivating and emotionally resonant film worth watching.

The Aftermath is a tense romantic wartime drama that juxtaposes impeccably executed performances with notable flaws in its narrative structure. The film, starring Jason Clarke, Keira Knightley, and Alexander Skarsgard, is set against the evocative backdrop of post-war Germany and directed by James Kent. While the movie's pacing falters in the third act, it remains compelling through its potent emotional beats, particularly visible in the actors' expressive use of non-verbal communication and musical cues. Knightley's depiction of Rachael conveys complex layers of grief and resilience, confirming her versatility beyond blockbuster roles.

20th Century Fox has delivered this film on Blu-ray with technical excellence. The aspect ratio of 1.85:1 AVC ensures a visually engaging experience, rendered beautifully by a stellar video transfer. Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix, supported by additional languages covered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Subtitles are available in English SDH, Spanish, and French, making it accessible for a broader audience. Bonus features may not be exhaustive but add worthy context to the main feature— enhancing the overall viewing experience.

In conclusion, The Aftermath achieves a delicate balance of period drama and romance, though it stumbles in fully realizing its thematic ambitions. Nevertheless, the Blu-ray presentation is superb with high-quality audio-visual fidelity and sufficient extras to merit a spot in any film lover's collection. While not flawless, it is a worthwhile watch for fans of historical dramas and nuanced performances.