Ned Kelly Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Ned Kelly" (2003), released by Shout Select as part of its distinguished series at number 71, provides an impressive North American debut for this Outback Western. This edition boasts an MPEG-4 AVC encode on a BD-50 disc, preserving the film's original exhibition ratio of approximately 2.35:1. It seems that this high-definition master aligns with the ones previously offered by Universal in both Australia and the UK, potentially drawing from the same digital intermediate that marked Focus Features' 2003 DVD release. While the DVD version presented challenges such as edge enhancement, this Blu-ray iteration shows a noticeable improvement, though traces of over-sharpening around human figures and objects are still identifiable. The video transfer exhibits a few instances of edge enhancement, albeit less aggressively than in its SD counterpart. Fortunately, concerns over aliasing and shimmering turned out to be unfounded upon closer inspection of the transfer.

The visual aesthetics of "Ned Kelly" receive a faithful representation on this Blu-ray. The film's palette is dominated by muted tones—browns, grays, and navy blues—that emphasize its dark thematic elements, with occasional bursts of white light breaking through clouds as a notable exception. This choice mirrors the cinematography inspired by nineteenth-century Australian impressionist painters like Tom Roberts, a detail highlighted by critic Philip French that adds a layer of artistic depth to the film's presentation. The print itself is clean and largely free from source flaws, ensuring that viewers receive an intact visual experience. Furthermore, Shout Select has encoded the feature at an average video bitrate of 34000 kbps, coupled with twelve chapter breaks throughout its 110-minute runtime, making for a technically solid and navigable Blu-ray edition that enhances the viewing experience of Gregor Jordan's rendition of the Ned Kelly legend.

The audio presentation of "Ned Kelly" on Blu Ray by Shout Select is a commendable endeavor, offering an immersive aural experience through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround track, presented at an impressive 2816 kbps and 24-bit depth. Additionally, for those preferring a more classic stereo sound, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo mix is provided, ensuring a versatile and comprehensive auditory experience at 1764 kbps and 24-bit quality. The inclusion of optional English SDH subtitles proves invaluable for decoding the historical Australian dialect peppered with unfamiliar terms, enhancing understanding without detracting from the auditory immersion. The mix excels in delivering a balanced soundstage, where ambient sounds like the galloping of horses are rendered with striking clarity across the rear channels, enveloping the viewer in the action.

Klaus Badelt's contribution to the soundtrack, evoking emotion through a blend of soulful female vocals and traditional instruments, is nothing short of captivating. The absence of electronic elements, reminiscent yet distinct from the style of Hans Zimmer, lends an authentic and heartrending backdrop to Ned Kelly's narrative. The orchestration, particularly the interplay of string sections and Irish flutes, engenders a deeply resonant theme for the Kelly family saga. The meticulous spread of these musical elements through both the front and rear channels in the uncompressed 5.1 mix allows for an emotionally charged and enveloping listening experience that is both lush and nuanced.

It is also worth noting the film's linguistic diversity, incorporating dialogue in Cantonese and Mandarin, presented with English subtitles that are fixed and cannot be disabled. This subtitled dialogue, integrated seamlessly into the auditory experience, underscores the film's commitment to authenticity and inclusivity. Such attention to detail in the audio presentation serves not only to enhance the narrative’s accessibility but also significantly enriches the overall cinematic experience afforded by "Ned Kelly’s" Blu Ray edition.

The Blu-ray release of "Ned Kelly" offers a modest but intriguing collection of extras that reflect on both the film’s production and its cultural footprint. The highlight is the "Ned Kelly – Cultural Icon" featurette, which, despite being recycled from earlier DVD releases, provides valuable commentary from director Gregor Jordan and author Robert Drewe, alongside excerpts from related films. The additional promotional materials, including trailers and a TV spot, offer a glimpse into the marketing of the film, with varying picture quality across the board. The still gallery enriches this package with behind-the-scenes photographs and promotional images, some of which were considered for the movie's poster campaign, presenting a comprehensive visual diary of the production process. These extras, while not groundbreaking, collectively provide an enhanced understanding of "Ned Kelly's" significance and its reception.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ned Kelly – Cultural Icon Featurette: A reflective piece featuring interviews with director Gregor Jordan and author Robert Drewe, along with clips from relevant films.
• Trailers: A collection of the movie's teaser and original theatrical trailers in widescreen format.
• Still Gallery: A compilation of on-location photographs and publicity images from the film's poster campaign.
• TV Spot: A brief promotional spot aired by Focus Features to promote the movie on television.

The 2003 film adaptation of "Ned Kelly," directed by Gregor Jordan and written by John Michael McDonagh, offers a cinematic glimpse into the tumultuous life of the infamous Irish-Australian outlaw and his gang during the 1870s in Victoria, Australia. Anchored by Heath Ledger’s earnest portrayal of Kelly and supported by Orlando Bloom as Joe Byrne, the film taps into the rich historical backdrop of Irish immigrant oppression under British colonial rule. Despite this compelling foundation and the intriguing, albeit occasionally overambitious, narrative drawn from Robert Drewe's novel "Our Sunshine," the film struggled to leave a lasting mark at the US box office, hampered by a modest marketing push from Focus Features. The story navigates through Kelly’s life from his alleged theft of a horse leading to a consequential skirmish with law enforcement, to his escalated conflict with the Victorian police following false accusations from Constable Fitzpatrick. Amidst familial strife and a fateful romance with Julia Cook (Naomi Watts), Kelly’s journey into outlaw legend is marked by both historical and fictionalized encounters.

The film is visually and emotionally enriched through its depiction of the iconic battles between the Kelly Gang and colonial forces, capturing a blend of desperation and defiance. The employment of historically inspired armor during the climactic confrontation adds a layer of authenticity and visual spectacle, particularly underlining Ledger’s commitment to the role. However, notable performances notwithstanding, "Ned Kelly" wades through an overcrowded narrative landscape, introducing characters such as Superintendent Francis Hare (Geoffrey Rush) halfway through, leaving little room for development. Despite these pacing and character issues, its ambition in scale and honest engagement with Australian history render it a noteworthy if flawed, exploration of Ned Kelly's enduring legend.

Although it falls short in marketing prowess and suffers from subplot saturation, "Ned Kelly" compensates with strong performances and commendable cinematic craftsmanship. The film’s handling of the historical context—portraying the socio-economic struggles faced by Irish immigrants and their resultant clash with colonial authorities—provides a rich tapestry against which the drama unfolds. While the movie may pack too many characters into its narrative frame, thus diluting some potential storylines, it remains solid in its depiction of brotherhood, loyalty, and the complex figure that was Ned Kelly. In essence, while "Ned Kelly" stumbles in narrative coherence, it strides confidently in visual storytelling and historical resonance, offering a window into the tumultuous times that shaped one of Australia's most mythologized figures.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Ned Kelly" (2003) by Shout Select is a commendable effort to breathe new life into an Outback Western that failed to capture wide attention during its initial release. Despite its limited theatrical exposure, this release stands as a beacon for enthusiasts of the genre and admirers of Heath Ledger's work. The transfer, albeit plagued with minor issues of edge enhancement and sharpening, manages to convey a clear enough image that does justice to the movie's cinematography. The package, while not extraordinary, offers a decent collection of features that provide insights into the film's production and significance, although the lack of brand new interviews leaves something to be desired.

Shout Select's decision to include most of Universal's original extras is a smart move, preserving the essence of previous releases. However, the missed opportunity to delve deeper into Ned Kelly's cultural impact through an extended documentary or additional scholarly content is a notable shortcoming. The existing feature titled "Ned Kelly – Cultural Icon" leaves audiences craving more in-depth exploration. The timing of this release coincides interestingly with the debut of Justin Kurzel's "True History of the Kelly Gang," potentially sparking further interest in the Ned Kelly saga among cinema aficionados.

In conclusion, Shout Select's Blu-ray release of "Ned Kelly" serves as a solid, if not groundbreaking, addition to the collection of Western genre enthusiasts and Heath Ledger fans. While it features some technical drawbacks and could benefit from enhanced supplemental content, it remains a worthwhile acquisition for those seeking to explore or revisit this lesser-known chapter of cinematic and Australian outlaw history.