Ammonite Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Ammonite" is delivered through an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, sourced from a Red Monstro and a 2K DI. The use of Red digital capture over Arri Alexa is particularly effective in low-light scenarios, offering a clear advantage in maintaining image quality even under limited lighting conditions. This preference is clearly supported by the film’s natural lighting, sometimes reliant solely on candles, which avoids a murky appearance while retaining admirable levels of detail. The film's color grading leans towards cool, icy blue tones, yet this stylistic choice does not overshadow the overall natural and well-suffused palette. Fine details are particularly notable in elements such as fabrics and fossils, providing a textured and immersive experience.

Stephane Fontaine's cinematography is exquisitely rendered in this high-quality 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, capturing the bleak landscapes and sparse interiors that define the film. The transfer boasts excellent contrast and clarity, with deep blacks, bright and stable whites, and sharp close-ups that maintain true flesh tones. Shadow delineation is clear and precise, contributing to a picture that is often visually stunning despite its overall dour mood. The film-like quality of the digital photography adds to its aesthetic appeal, despite occasional bursts of vivid color that pleasantly break the gray monotony. The textures of materials like stones, fossils, and costumes are distinctly crisp, drawing viewers into the narrative without any image imperfections disrupting the experience. While not excessive eye candy, the video presentation of "Ammonite" remains a robust and satisfying visual accomplishment.

The Blu-ray release of "Ammonite" features an exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that effectively immerses viewers in the atmospheric environment of 1840s coastal England. The surround sound experience is particularly engaging during outdoor scenes, where elements such as the roaring seas and whistling winds deliver immersive and lifelike audio. The early beach scenes showcase the powerful bass frequencies and precise atmospherics that bring the turbulent surf and gusty environs to life. The subtle sound design delicately weaves in diegetic sounds such as trickling water, crackling fireplace embers, rain, thunder, and chirping birds, all of which are carefully placed across the various speakers to create a vivid and palpable auditory landscape.

The film's score, composed by Dustin O'Halloran and Volker Bertelmann, is another highlight of this audio presentation. Primarily leveraging solo piano and cello, their understated yet poignant music is rendered with excellent fidelity and tonal depth, contributing significantly to the overall sensory experience. While the quieter, more intimate scenes generally result in less engagement from the side and rear channels, dialogue consistently remains clear and intelligible throughout. However, there are isolated moments where robust environmental effects slightly overwhelm the dialogue, making some lines difficult to comprehend. Despite this minor drawback, the track's ability to maintain a dynamic surround presence within an intimate drama underscores the high caliber of the audio engineering.

Optional English subtitles are available for those who might need assistance with occasional dialogue clarity issues. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track of "Ammonite" stands out for its immersive auditory execution and nuanced sound design, making it a laudable achievement in home audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Ammonite" provide insightful and detailed behind-the-scenes content that enhances the viewing experience. The primary feature, a six-minute "The Making of Ammonite," offers brief but rich interviews with Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, writer and director Francis Lee, and costume designer Michael O'Connor. Winslet and Ronan discuss their extensive preparation for their roles, highlighting the film's feminist perspective. O'Connor gives a closer look at the period-specific wardrobe. Winslet also mentions how Mary Anning inspired her profoundly. While the featurette is comprehensive, it's worth noting that the disc does not include the movie's trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Ammonite: Brief interviews with key cast and crew, discussing character preparation, feminist themes, and period costume design.

"Ammonite," featuring Kate Winslet as Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchison, fictionalizes the story of a pioneering early 19th-century paleontologist. Anchoring itself loosely to historical facts, the film constructs an intimate relationship between the two women—a narrative choice unsupported by historical evidence. The decision to add a passionate, albeit speculative affair, between Anning and Murchison arguably detracts from the biographical heft of Anning's remarkable contributions to science. While the depiction of Anning’s arduous fossil-hunting in Lyme Regis captures the essence of her dedication, critics note the film's preoccupation with their romance overshadows the legacy and achievements of its subject.

Director Francis Lee’s portrayal is visually evocative, immersing viewers in the bleak, demanding life of 19th-century England. The cinematography succeeds in portraying the stark landscape and societal constraints that shaped Anning’s life. Kate Winslet delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Anning's isolated existence and her complex emotional landscape. However, the film's choice to prioritize graphic love scenes between Anning and Murchison has sparked controversy and criticism for shifting focus away from Anning's groundbreaking scientific work. Such scenes have been perceived as gratuitous, addressing romantic content more salaciously than substantively.

While Winslet and Ronan exhibit commendable chemistry and acting prowess, the narrative structure of "Ammonite" falls short for some critics. The sporadic oscillation between historically rooted scientific endeavors and the film’s romantic subplot results in a discordant tone. These choices might alienate viewers seeking a depiction that aligns more closely with documented history. Despite these criticisms, "Ammonite" remains an ambitious attempt to showcase Anning’s story, albeit through a fictionalized and modern lens focusing on themes of passion and personal discovery amidst societal rigidity.

"Ammonite" offers a visually arresting depiction of 19th century England with impressive technical merits, though its narrative choices spark considerable debate among reviewers. Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan deliver compelling performances as Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison, but their talent often feels constrained by a script that strays into speculative territory. The film's decision to fabricate a passionate lesbian relationship between the two historical figures is a contentious one, as it diverts attention from Anning's real and significant contributions to paleontology.

The Blu-ray release excels in both video and audio quality, capturing the austere and gritty atmosphere of the setting. The cinematography intricately highlights the raw, rugged beauty of the coastal landscapes and the meticulous production design, which unapologetically exposes the harsh realities of village life during that era. The audio mix effectively immerses viewers in the environmental sounds and stark ambiance, yet these technical strengths cannot fully redeem a narrative that some may find lacking in authenticity and emotional warmth.

Some readers of my reviews may be aware of my longstanding frustration with fictionalization as exemplified by my deconstruction of fake news promulgated in the old Jessica Lange feature Frances, ostensibly about Golden Age actress Frances Farmer. I just don't understand why filmmakers feel the need to tweak the actual historical record for supposedly dramatic purposes. That would seem to be especially true of Ammonite, since the film had the opportunity to present a more fact-based account of what were evidently two of the most remarkable women of their era, Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison. Winslet and Ronan are unsurprisingly effective in their roles, and the film's production design doesn't shy away from the dirtier, grimier aspects of village life in the 19th century, but this is an often really cold and static feeling film considering how hot and bothered the two central characters are at various times. Technical merits are solid for those considering a purchase.