There Be Dragons

The Blu-ray presentation of "There Be Dragons" showcases the film's 35mm origins with finesse, thanks to the diligent transfer efforts by 20th Century Fox. The 1080p/AVC encode is a testament to the film's visual narrative, bringing out strong clarity and vibrant colors that remain faithful to cinematographer Gabriel Beristain's vision. While the contrast tends to favor the darker spectrum, sometimes at the expense of finer details in shadow-heavy scenes, this seems more an artistic choice than a flaw. The overall effect is quite immersive, without causing any discomfort to the viewer. Notably, the natural film grain and absence of edge enhancement indicate a careful balance has been struck between preserving the original look and optimizing for high definition.

In terms of technical specifics, minor occurrences of noise and slight flickering are noted but are far from distracting, appearing in only a few instances throughout. Some scenes are perceptibly softer, with intentional blurring at the edges contributing to the film's aesthetic rather than detracting from its quality. These moments are counterbalanced by scenes rich in detail, where every texture and surface comes alive with remarkable sharpness. The color palette employed is equally impressive—warm tones dominate, skin colors appear natural, and there's a thoughtful application of more saturated hues (noticeably the striking reds symbolic of communist elements) that punctuate the visual narrative without overwhelming it.

Overall, the Blu-ray video quality of "There Be Dragons" respects and revitalizes the original filmic texture, maintaining a respectful nod to its 35mm roots while embracing the clarity and depth afforded by modern home cinema technology. It's a careful compilation of choices that honors the work of Beristain and reflects thematic intentions through visual execution. This release undoubtedly adds value by offering viewers a nuanced and visually engaging experience that supports the storytelling with qualitative high-definition enhancements.

The audio presentation of "There Be Dragons" on its Blu-ray release features an exceptional lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that breathes life into an otherwise lackluster film. The auditory experience shines during explosive battle scenes, with bombs delivering a robust, satisfying boom through the subwoofer, and fighter planes and bullets traversing the soundfield with an intensity that captivates and startles the viewer. This dynamic range isn't reserved for high-action moments alone; even in calm, quieter scenes, the audio track impresses with its meticulous attention to ambient sounds—be it the bustling noise of traffic, crowd jeers, or even the nuanced sound of a window being whisked open by a seemingly spiritual breeze during a moment of prayer.

The mix achieves a synergy between fullness and balance, skillfully avoiding both tinny and overly bass-heavy outputs, resulting in a rich and clear audio experience throughout the film. The effects and score harmoniously blend, complementing each other without overshadowing, ensuring a consistently engaging listening experience. Moreover, dialogue clarity is paramount in this presentation. Despite some accents pushing believability, dialogues are crisp and devoid of any muffling, cracking, or volume issues. This clarity ensures that viewers remain engaged and connected to the storyline without straining to understand the conversations.

Inclusion of English SDH and Spanish subtitles caters to a wider audience, ensuring accessibility for all viewers. It's evident that significant care went into crafting an audio track that not only elevates the cinematic experience but also respects the viewer's need for clarity and accessibility. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on "There Be Dragons" Blu-ray thus stands as a testament to what can be achieved with thoughtful audio engineering, ensuring that both action-packed scenes and quieter moments alike are delivered with impeccable auditory fidelity.

The Blu-ray extras for "There Be Dragons" offer an intriguing mix of personal insight and additional content that, while not essential to the film's core narrative, provide a deeper understanding of its creation and thematic underpinnings. In "Facing Your Dragons: Inspiring Testimony from Wes Bentley," the actor shares a candid reflection on his connections to his character and the personal growth he experienced during the filmmaking process. This featurette not only enriches the viewing experience by adding depth to Bentley's performance but also offers an intimate look at the actor's journey. The collection of Deleted Scenes, despite their exclusion from the final cut, presents a significant amount of content for enthusiasts looking to explore what might have been. However, viewed as supplemental rather than crucial, they affirm the decisions made in the editing room.

Extras included in this disc:

• Facing Your Dragons: Inspiring Testimony from Wes Bentley.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of cut scenes from the film.

"There Be Dragons," directed by Roland Joffé, plunges into the tumultuous backdrop of the Spanish Civil War to present a narrative rich in historical context yet introspective, exploring themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and divine love. Through the lens of Josemaría Escrivá's life—a recently canonized priest and founder of Opus Dei—the film attempts to mediate between the harrowing realities of war and the sublime prospects of spiritual solace. The involvement of Opus Dei members as co-producers lends the movie a discernible religious tone, potentially bordering on hagiography, but it is Joffé's script and the execution by a predominantly English-speaking cast, donning Spanish accents, that leaves the story feeling somewhat contrived and emotionally distant.

The narrative unfolds primarily through flashbacks, relayed by a fictional character, Manulo, who navigates through his complex relationship with Escrivá against the backdrop of civil strife and personal turmoil. While Charlie Cox's portrayal of Escrivá imbues the character with a saintly aura—unwavering and beatific, thereby lacking human complexity—it is Manulo's character that offers a semblance of relatability through his internal conflicts and flawed humanity. However, Wes Bentley's performance as Manulo comes across as stiff, further contributing to the film's challenge in resonating deeply with its audience.

Despite these narrative and performative shortcomings, "There Be Dragons" is visually arresting, boasting meticulous period detail, richly nostalgic cinematography, and commendable battle sequences indicative of its lavish production qualities. Unfortunately, the film struggles to bridge the gap between its aesthetic achievements and its narrative ambitions. With dialogue often veering towards the aphoristic, it occasionally succumbs to being both preachy and lackluster, missing the mark on delivering both an engaging historical recount and an emotionally captivating cinema experience.

The Blu-ray presentation of "There Be Dragons" delivers a poignant if slightly uneven experience, featuring the life of Josemaría Escrivá against the backdrop of a wartime drama. While its title might suggest a foray into the fantastical, viewers are instead invited into a meticulously crafted narrative that intertwines history, faith, and the complexities of human nature. This juxtaposition, though ambitiously rendered, falls short of fully realizing the depth and nuance of its central figure's journey, leaving an impression that wavers between engagement and a sense of missed potential. The film itself presents a composition where the valor of production struggles to uplift a script that lacks the vibrancy its real-life inspiration demands.

Technically, the Blu-ray edition is commendable, with visual and audio qualities that faithfully serve the period it seeks to encapsulate. The dedication to creating an authentic cinematic experience is evident in its attention to historical detail, from costume to scenery. However, this fidelity does not fully compensate for the narrative's emotional shortfall. For enthusiasts of historical dramas or those intrigued by the life of Escrivá and the foundation of Opus Dei, there is value in experiencing this portrayal, although it might not warrant repeated viewings.

In conclusion, "There Be Dragons" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to a film that ambitiously seeks to weave together the strands of faith, history, and personal struggle against the canvas of civil war Spain. While it showcases moments of technical brilliance and historical adherence, it ultimately lacks the compelling narrative force and emotional resonance that would make it a staple for revisitation. It remains, therefore, a piece more suited for those with specific interest in its religious and historical context than for a general audience seeking immersion in a universally resonant story.