One Night with the King Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray debut of "One Night with the King" delivers an impressive 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, presented in the proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio on a single-layer, 25GB disc. The film's 35mm origins are preserved with a rich grain pattern and a natural filmic look, free from digital noise reduction, edge enhancement, or other forms of filtering. This results in excellent clarity and fine detail, particularly in the various hand-woven fabrics, intricate jewelry, and pieces of armor. There is occasional visibility of white specks on the print when observed up close, but these don't detract from the overall viewing experience at a normal distance. Color grading is commendable, with a dense palette featuring vibrant floral hues and rich golds, especially apparent in scenes shot in India.

The image quality is generally strong, with sharp detail and bright colors, notably golds, yellows, and blues. However, certain exterior shots appear softened before returning to their sharpness in subsequent scenes. Flesh tones are consistently natural and smooth, while black levels run deep, contributing to the overall visual appeal. The wedding ceremony scenes particularly stand out for their vivid colors that enliven the screen. There is a minor occurrence of motion blur but no evidence of banding, maintaining a solid video presentation throughout. Despite some minor CGI shortcomings and occasional issues with slow-motion footage exhibiting flicker and choppiness, the video quality remains commendable and enhances the viewing experience significantly.

The Blu-ray presentation of "One Night with the King" features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound mix that delivers a generally solid auditory experience. This release displays an impressive sound design that transcends a simple front-heavy mix, offering an immersive audio environment, especially during action-packed sequences. Horses' hooves thunder audibly through the rear channels, while rain pours and thunder reverberates authentically. The orchestral score, imbued with Middle Eastern influences, permeates the entire soundfield brilliantly, anchored by a robust and tight bass. Dialogue remains consistently clear and easily understandable, albeit with a somewhat eclectic mix of accents.

However, there are occasional shortcomings in the ambient noise and sound effects, which sporadically make their presence felt but do not fully exploit the capabilities of the 5.1 mix. The directionality of audio elements is adequate but lacks a certain depth that would elevate the experience further. Despite these minor drawbacks, certain quieter scenes achieve an appreciable level of ambience from environmental sounds, such as wind, birds, and insects, enhancing the immersion subtly yet effectively. The disc also includes optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles, presented in sharp, readable white lettering within the frame.

Overall, the audio presentation for this Blu-ray offers clear dialogue and an evocative score that dynamically utilizes all speakers, albeit with sporadic underutilization of sound effects and bass. The soundtrack achieves moments of impressive immersion and maintains professional clarity throughout.

The Blu-ray extras for "One Night with the King" offer a valuable insight into the production process, particularly through the detailed audio commentary by screenwriter Stephan Blinn and producers Matthew Crouch and Richard Cook. This commentary, recorded in 2012, is comprehensive and sheds light on various aspects of the film's creation, emphasizing that the production was nothing short of miraculous. Although the commentary is more informative than entertaining, it is a must-listen for those interested in the technical nuances of filmmaking. Additionally, the disc includes a brief selection of trailers for other films.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Detailed discussion by the film's screenwriter and producers, offering deep insights into the production process.
• Trailers: A couple of previews for other films.

One Night with the King aims to recapture the grandeur of classic biblical epics, but falls short due to several notable issues. Despite its lush set design and ornately crafted costumes filmed against the vibrant backdrop of India, the film suffers from muddled storytelling and uneven acting. Director Michael O. Sajbel, known for his cinematography work in both comedies and dramas, unfortunately doesn't bring a cohesive vision to this project. Notably, the script insists on archaic King James-style dialogue that sounds awkward and forced, further complicating the narrative.

The casting is another significant detractor. While featuring Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif might seem prestigious, their roles are disappointingly minimal. Tiffany Dupont, as Hadassah/Esther, lacks the necessary gravitas to carry the film, offering a whimsical performance rather than capturing Esther's historical strength. Luke Goss, as Xerxes, appears miscast with little resemblance to the Persian king traditionally depicted in history. Stronger performances come from veteran actors like John Rhys-Davies, Omar Sharif, and the briefly present Peter O'Toole, though these moments aren't enough to lift the film out of mediocrity.

Plotwise, the film struggles with cohesion. The biblical story's potential for political and romantic intrigue devolves into a convoluted mishmash of poorly executed subplots and belabored twists. Scenes intended to convey depth and drama often come off as a soap opera. The film leans heavily into a 5th-century BC version of 'The Bachelor', trivializing Esther's story with modern reality TV tropes. The second half attempts a shift towards a political thriller but rapidly loses momentum. Overall, One Night with the King might tempt with its epic aspirations and visual appeal but ultimately drowns under its own narrative weight.

One Night with the King endeavors to deliver a grand biblical epic with an ambitious visual scope, noteworthy given its modest budget. While the film does present an engaging portrayal of a female biblical role model, the storytelling falters with a lack of clarity. Weak script development and subpar acting performances further undermine the film's potential. The production values, though aiming for grandeur, often fall short in capturing the depth and nuance required for such a narrative.

In terms of technical quality, the Blu-ray transfer by 20th Century Fox is mostly solid, with minimal visual artifacts such as specks or flecks marring the viewing experience. The audio presentation aligns adequately with the visuals but does not reach the level of excellence that one might expect from high-definition formats. The disc's supplementary content is notably sparse, featuring only an audio commentary by the producers, which provides some insightful background on the making of the film, despite it lacking in overall entertainment value.

In conclusion, One Night with the King struggles to live up to its epic aspirations. While it may appeal to niche audiences, particularly those interested in biblical narratives and positive female role models, it falls short in several critical areas. The high-definition treatment is competent but not exceptional, and the limited extras offer little to enhance the overall package. Consider this a rental if you are inclined toward such genres, but it does not demand a permanent place in your collection.