Wuthering Heights Blu-ray Review

Andrea Arnold's "Wuthering Heights" is presented on Blu-ray in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC to grant a pristine 1080p transfer. Despite the restrictive TV-style format and budgetary constraints, the video presentation emerges impressively. The gritty, up-close handheld camerawork delivers superb clarity and detail, capturing everything from tiny beads of sweat and tears on the characters’ faces to the intricacies of Catherine's feather collection. The moors come alive within this visual context, showcasing deep, vivid greens and decadent purples against a backdrop of dreary browns, mud, and perpetual grey skies. The presentation retains strong black levels and is complimented by a pleasing, filmic grain.

Shot with a Panavision XL, the Blu-ray release exhibits extraordinary depth and crispness, particularly in well-lit scenes with close-up shots. Natural lighting plays a pivotal role here, with darker sequences maintaining remarkable clarity and fluidity. Color reproduction spans a wide range of natural tones including cold blues, greens, browns, grays, and blacks, all of which appear authentic without artificial post-production adjustments. The transfer is devoid of anomalies such as banding, aliasing, or downsampling shimmer. Stability throughout the film remains robust, attesting to the meticulous high-definition transfer. Overall, Arnold’s stylistic choice translates spectacularly to Blu-ray, on par with her previous work on "Fish Tank".

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on the Blu-ray presentation of "Wuthering Heights" excels in delivering an immersive and atmospheric experience. The audio design, distinctively organic and devoid of a traditional score, relies heavily on natural elements to create its soundscape. From the thrashing wind to the crashing downpour, every environmental sound is meticulously captured, ensuring a rich and engaging auditory experience. Thunderstorms are particularly noteworthy, with the bass rumbling powerfully, adding significant depth to these moments. Dialogue, although minimal, is clear and coherently presented, emanating primarily from the front and center channels.

Additionally, the 5.1 audio track is accompanied by an English LPCM 2.0 option and supported by optional English SDH subtitles. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is far from limited in dynamic range, offering surprising aggressiveness and richness throughout various scenes. The clarity and depth during storm sequences stand out, contributing to a clean and stable dialogue delivery. Throughout the film, there are no noticeable sync issues or audio dropouts, ensuring a seamless listening experience. Overall, this audio mix makes you feel genuinely immersed in the tumultuous setting of the moors, with natural elements vividly enveloping you from all directions.

The extras for the Blu-ray of "Wuthering Heights" are quite limited yet noteworthy, as they consist solely of a gallery featuring an array of promotional photographs taken by Agatha A. Nitecka, the official photographer for the film. These high-resolution images are beautifully composed and serve as an excellent visual companion to the film, showcasing the film's distinct aesthetics and atmospheric settings. Despite the lack of additional featurettes, commentaries, or behind-the-scenes footage, the inclusion of Nitecka's work provides a glimpse into the film's artistic vision and production design, adding value for fans and collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gallery: A collection of photographs by Agatha A. Nitecka (Wuthering Heights official photographer).

Andrea Arnold's adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" ventures boldly beyond traditional period drama boundaries. While it maintains fidelity to the essence and setting of Emily Bronte's classic, its modern heartbeat paired with a daring minimalistic and atmospheric approach stands out. The film delves into the raw and untamed emotions of the text, using weather-based symbolism to create a richly immersive mood. However, despite the creative audacity, the film's freeform structure risks veering into pretentious territory, and could benefit from tighter editing. The strong performances by the inexperienced cast, who work with relatively sparse dialogue, are notable, yet the film's flawed execution might alienate some classic literature purists.

Technically, "Wuthering Heights" employs a Panavision XL camera to striking effect, especially in its outdoor sequences. Robbie Ryan's cinematography, awarded the Golden Osella for Outstanding Technical Contribution at the 2011 Venice Film Festival, captures the film’s dark, gritty aesthetic, devoid of traditional warmth. While the minimalist dialogue drives a potent first half marked by expressive visual storytelling, the increased dialogue in the latter half dilutes the intense atmosphere somewhat. Nonetheless, Cathy's emotional collapse remains profoundly moving. This version of "Wuthering Heights" is unquestionably divisive, resonating differently across viewers, but its raw originality cannot be ignored.

I thoroughly enjoyed Andrea Arnold's bold take on the classic novel by Emily Bronte. The film is raw and gritty but at the same time notably handsome, certainly one of the most original period projects I've seen in a very long time. Admittedly, it is not for everyone, but I am convinced that viewers who appreciate creativity in contemporary cinema will have a terrific time with it. The Blu-ray release, courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye, is equally impressive. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Andrea Arnold’s adaptation of "Wuthering Heights" has emerged as a remarkably visceral and unorthodox interpretation of Emily Bronte's cherished novel. This cinematic rendition eschews traditional period drama aesthetics, instead opting for an intense, almost raw portrayal that intriguingly juxtaposes the beauty of its bleak landscapes with the emotional turmoil of its characters. The deliberate pacing and sporadic dialogue can be alienating to some viewers, yet those who favor innovative filmmaking will find much to admire in Arnold's distinctive vision.

Technically, the Blu-ray release from Artificial Eye is exemplary. The 1080p transfer captures the naturalistic cinematography with impressive clarity, rendering the film’s austere yet haunting visuals with precision. The delicate balance of light and shadow is well-preserved, enhancing the immersive viewing experience. Additionally, the audio presentation, while primarily subtle, effectively supports the film's atmospheric tone, offering clear dialogue and ambient soundscapes that enhance the narrative's intensity.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release of "Wuthering Heights" represents a noteworthy achievement both artistically and technically. While the film’s unconventional approach may not resonate with all audiences, its originality and striking presentation make it a standout in contemporary period cinema. Viewers who appreciate bold directorial choices and superior technical quality will find this edition to be highly satisfactory. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.