The Sacrifice Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Sacrifice" showcases a significant upgrade in video quality, offering an audiovisual experience that greatly benefits from the 4K restoration. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, presented in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio, rectifies many issues found in previous releases. This transfer exhibits an organic and natural appearance, far superior to its 2011 predecessor, which was marred by edge enhancement halos, noticeable grain removal, and overly processed visuals. The new restoration by Eclair, funded by the CNC, maintains a thick and dense grain structure that adds to the authenticity and depth of Tarkovsky's cinematic vision. The upgrade shines with an average video bitrate of 34963 kbps on a BD-50 disc, effectively eliminating digital anomalies and preserving intricate details across the frame.

This release excels in reproducing fine detail, capturing the subtleties of Tarkovsky’s ornate compositions and the nuanced expressions of characters. Although colors remain subdued to adhere to the film's desaturated aesthetic, with frequent grey hues and some black-and-white dream sequences, the overall color grading is superior to earlier editions. Outdoor scenes benefit from high contrast and bright whites, although black levels can appear slightly elevated, leading to occasional murkiness in darker sequences. Despite this minor issue, the absence of digital processing or compression artifacts ensures a pristine and filmic quality throughout.

In summary, this Blu-ray edition of "The Sacrifice" provides a richly detailed and technically proficient visual presentation that honors Tarkovsky’s artistic intent. The 4K restoration delivers a markedly improved viewing experience, highlighting the directorial intricacies with high-definition clarity and depth while maintaining the film's melancholic tone through careful color grading and contrast management.

The audio presentation of "The Sacrifice" on Blu-ray features the original Swedish monoaural track rendered in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Dual Mono (1874 kbps, 24-bit), showcasing a significant upgrade from Kino's previous LPCM 2.0 Dual Mono mix (2304 kbps, 24-bit). The remastered track remarkably eliminates prior issues identified by Casey, such as clicks and pops in the dialogue, resulting in cleaner and warmer sound quality. Musical elements, particularly selections like Bach's Matthäus-Passion: Erbarme Dich, are rendered beautifully, maintaining their warmth and clarity throughout.

Dialogue is impressively clean and possesses a richness not often associated with mono tracks of this era, thanks to post-synced recording techniques. Despite the inherent limitations of a mono track, the effects work is finely layered, subtly highlighting environmental sounds such as wind rustling, fires crackling, and clocks ticking. Additionally, the mix handles low frequencies adeptly during specific sequences featuring a rumbling jet and distant thunder. Classical music cues from Bach maintain strong range and fidelity, reinforcing the timeless quality of the score. Crucially, the mix is devoid of any age-related auditory imperfections such as crackle, pop, or hiss.

Overall, while modestly mono in nature, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track achieves an admirably balanced and technically proficient audio presentation that enhances the film's atmospheric and emotional depth. The inclusion of clear and legible white English subtitles further ensures accessibility without detracting from the listening experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Sacrifice" present a rich array of insightful content for Tarkovsky enthusiasts. The first disc features a newly recorded audio commentary by Layla Alexander-Garrett, Tarkovsky's interpreter, offering a deep dive into the film’s themes and production through her meticulous recollections, facilitated sparingly by a moderator. Additionally, an interview with Michal Leszczylowski, editor of "The Sacrifice," provides personal anecdotes and professional insights into Tarkovsky’s working methods and the making of his documentary. The disc also includes theatrical trailers for "The Sacrifice" and "Nostalghia." Disc two houses a feature-length documentary, "Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky," presenting immersive behind-the-scenes footage and voiceover excerpts from the director himself, giving an unvarnished look at the creation of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

NEW Audio Commentary by Layla Alexander-Garrett: Informative commentary providing deep insights into the film's production and themes.

NEW Interview with Michal Leszczylowski: Editor discusses his collaboration with Tarkovsky and details about the film’s production.

Theatrical Trailer: Preview for "The Sacrifice."

Trailer for Nostalghia: Preview for Tarkovsky’s 1983 film.

Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky: Feature-length documentary on the making of "The Sacrifice."

20-Page Booklet: Additional written insights and details.

Andrei Tarkovsky's final film, "The Sacrifice" (1986), weaves an intricate and thoughtful narrative around the intense and provocative theme of global annihilation. As news of impending nuclear devastation casts an ominous shadow over a gathering, Alexander, a middle-aged man portrayed with compelling depth by Erland Josephson, contemplates the unimaginable: stopping the end of the world, but at a significant personal cost. The movie is enveloped in Tarkovsky's signature visual style, marked by long, uninterrupted takes and a meticulously crafted aesthetic that eloquently uses desaturated hues and sparse lighting to enhance its somber mood. Philosophical dialogues and dream sequences permeate the film, inviting viewers to engage with its layered themes of truth, mortality, and spiritual erosion.

Tarkovsky's nuanced storytelling is enriched by dynamic relationship explorations and ethereal supernatural elements. His visual narrative technique not only underscores deeper subtexts between characters but also enriches the film's overall ambiance. Particularly striking is a scene where the family reacts to war breaking out, captured with desaturated colors and ghostly imagery. Another standout sequence features an extended shot of a burning house, showcasing Tarkovsky's command over visual storytelling. Despite the film's pervasive gloom, moments of subtle absurdist humor surface periodically, adding complexity and depth to the otherwise weighty drama.

"The Sacrifice" remains open to myriad interpretations, driven by haunting visuals and an atmospheric narrative that transcends conventional storytelling. True to Tarkovsky's legacy, the film defies simplistic plot summaries, instead conveying profound meanings through its visual language—an endeavor that speaks volumes about love, faith, mortality, and sacrifice. Tarkovsky's final opus stands as a testament to his visionary approach to filmmaking, offering an immersive experience that continues to resonate deeply within the cinematic landscape.

Kino’s Blu-ray release of Andrei Tarkovsky's final masterpiece, "The Sacrifice," represents a significant achievement in film restoration and presentation. Benefiting from a 4K DI transfer, the HD visuals are nothing short of spectacular, capturing the film’s intricate play of light and shadow with remarkable clarity. The restored mono audio mix also impresses, free of any hiss or distortion, ensuring that the film’s atmospheric soundscapes are preserved with fidelity. The set includes valuable extras like an insightful commentary track and a comprehensive making-of documentary, both adding considerable depth to the viewing experience.

While some might desire a more extensive selection of special features, the provided content is both substantial and enriching. The documentary delves deep into the intricacies of Tarkovsky's filmmaking process, offering invaluable insights into his unique artistic vision. The clean transfer complements the film's existential and poignant themes, making it a rewarding viewing experience for both long-time fans and newcomers to Tarkovsky's oeuvre.

In conclusion, Kino has done a very nice job of transferring the 4K DI of The Sacrifice to Blu-ray. While I would have liked to see some more extras, this is a fine two-disc set. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.