A Royal Affair Blu-ray Review

"A Royal Affair" arrives on Blu-ray with a stellar 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, encapsulating the film's hazy, period-specific ambiance with exceptional fidelity. Shot on 35mm film, the image retains a natural grain pattern that, although sometimes gritty and noticeable from a normal viewing distance, remains free from digital noise reduction or other intrusive filters. The slightly chunky texture inherent to the film stock enhances the atmosphere, rendering it more tangible than a digital equivalent. Compression artifacts are nonexistent, with no detectable banding, blocking, or debris. While the image can be softer outside of close-ups—likely an intentional aesthetic choice—tighter shots reveal finely resolved textures on costumes and skin, showcasing high-definition details like ruffles and lace beautifully.

Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this Blu-ray ensures that the vibrant colors and detailed designs of the period costumes and backgrounds are vividly presented. Exterior scenes benefit particularly from vibrant greens and blues that contribute to the image's depth. Black levels are deep and inky, while flesh tones appear natural and smooth, maintaining consistency across varying lighting conditions. Regardless of potential concerns about the color grading's thinness, the subtle contrast between grayish shadows and wispy highlights effectively supports the intended atmospheric tone. Overall, "A Royal Affair" boasts a top-tier video presentation, ensuring viewers a visually gratifying experience without any significant technical flaws.

The audio presentation of "A Royal Affair" on Blu Ray offers a compelling and immersive experience, enabled by the film's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Despite its nature as a quiet costume drama, the audio mix is evocative and meticulously designed to create a refined sense of ambiance and acoustics. The soundfield is utilized effectively, generating an aural sense of place with elements like murmuring nobles at court dinners, wind through rear speakers, and the pronounced effects of pounding rain and thunder. The score, a joint effort by Gabriel Yared and Cyrille Aufort, is lush and orchestrally rich, perfectly complementing the moving images without overpowering the dialogue.

The Danish dialogue is consistently clean and sharp, ensuring clarity and understanding despite other ambient sounds. Technical aspects like directionality and dynamics are top-notch, adding depth and dimension to the audio experience. There are no noticeable issues with cracks or pops, maintaining a seamless sound quality throughout the film. Additionally, the disc provides optional English, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles in easily readable white lettering, accommodating various audience needs. Overall, this is a polished and engaging audio presentation that enhances the cinematic storytelling of "A Royal Affair."

The Blu-ray of "A Royal Affair" offers a comprehensive and engaging set of extras that provide insightful context and depth to the film. The Cast and Crew Interviews feature Mads Mikkelsen, director Nikolaj Arcel, and Alicia Vikander discussing their characters, inspirations for the film, and key elements of its production, recorded during the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival. Additionally, the Portraits & Biographies present text-based historical summaries of Christian VII, Caroline Mathilde, and Johann Struensee, along with their painted portraits. For those interested in genealogy, the Royal Family Tree provides a detailed text-based visual tracing the ties between the English and Danish monarchies from 1760 to the present day. Rounding out the extras are the Theatrical Trailers, which include the trailer for the film and other previews from Magnolia Home Entertainment.

Extras included in this disc:

• Cast and Crew Interviews: Interviews from the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival.
• Portraits & Biographies: Historical summaries with portraits.
• Royal Family Tree: Genealogy details of the English and Danish monarchies.
• Theatrical Trailers: Trailer for "A Royal Affair" and others from Magnolia.

"A Royal Affair" stands out as an exemplary period drama that deftly combines rich historical context with substantial thematic elements, making it both a visually and intellectually engaging film. Director Nikolaj Arcel, alongside writer Rasmus Heisterberg, meticulously crafts the narrative around the little-known but historically significant tale of Denmark's King Christian VII, his English queen Caroline Mathilde, and the progressive German physician Johann Struensee. Set against the opulent backdrop of 18th-century Copenhagen, the film transcends typical genre frippery by embedding Enlightenment-era philosophies on politics, religion, and human rights into its core storyline. The result is a film of not just aesthetic beauty but profound contemporary relevance, touching on enduring debates about liberal and conservative ideologies.

Alicia Vikander delivers a compelling performance as Caroline Mathilde, who arrives in Denmark only to discover her new husband's alarming mental instability and the manipulative agenda of his cabinet. With King Christian VII portrayed masterfully by Mikkel Følsgaard, the character emerges as both pitiable and infuriating—a pawn in the hands of courtly politics. Central to the unfolding drama is Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of Struensee, whose intellectual fervor and humanitarian ideals genuinely transform him into a reformist hero despite his eventual downfall. The chemistry between Struensee and Mathilde evolves naturally from mutual intellectual admiration to an illicit but deeply emotional affair, adding layers of personal intrigue to the political narrative.

The film’s cinematography, reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon," meticulously captures the essence of 1770s Denmark, while Gabriel Yared's evocative score amplifies its emotional depth. Politically minded viewers will appreciate the film's nuanced exploration of issues like state censorship, class disparity, and healthcare reform—all echoing debates that are still unresolved today. Through astute writing and extraordinary performances, "A Royal Affair" renders historical figures as multidimensional characters, making it a standout piece in both historical and contemporary cinema. This authenticity and critical depth make it highly deserving of its accolades and future inclusion in esteemed collections such as the Criterion Collection.

Nikolaj Arcel’s "A Royal Affair" is an exquisite historical drama that transcends typical period piece conventions through its rich thematic depth and compelling characters. Set against the backdrop of Danish royalty, the film intricately explores the intertwined lives of Christian VII, his queen, and her lover, offering non-Danish audiences a fresh and gripping narrative. Mads Mikkelsen's standout performance further elevates the story, showcasing the complexity of human emotions and political intrigues. The visual grandeur of the film, coupled with its substantial themes, makes it a rare find in costume dramas.

The Blu-ray release of "A Royal Affair" by Magnolia is an exemplary piece of home media, embodying the stateliness of the film itself. The video and audio presentations are pristine, capturing every nuanced detail and enhancing the overall viewing experience. Despite the supplementary features being somewhat limited, the included interviews are satisfactory and add some value. The meticulous attention to technical details ensures that the film’s cinematic beauty and emotional intensity are perfectly preserved.

Conclusively, "A Royal Affair" stands out as one of 2012’s finest cinematic achievements. Its exploration of Enlightenment ideals through the lens of flawed yet compelling characters creates an engaging and thought-provoking narrative. The Blu-ray edition's superior audio-visual quality and reliable, though minimal, extras make it a must-have for enthusiasts of intelligent historical dramas. This film comes highly recommended and is a deserving addition to any discerning viewer’s collection.