The Handmaiden Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Handmaiden," available in the UK from Curzon/Artificial Eye and Region B-locked, provides a remarkable visual presentation. Utilizing a 2.8K source material shot with the Arri Alexa XT Plus and rendered through a 2K Digital Intermediate, this 1080p/AVC-encoded video maintains an impeccable level of detail across both the Theatrical Cut and the Extended Cut. Presented in the original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the transfer effortlessly captures the film's lush period setting, with particularly striking results in the richly textured primary mansion and its surrounding grounds.

The resultant visuals are impressive, with every shot revealing deeply intricate details, from the finely woven clothing to the lifelike textures of various surfaces. The Arri Alexa XT Plus’s capability shines through, especially in scenes depicting vivid greens of sprawling gardens and rich wood tones of the interiors. There is a noticeable, but minor, fluctuation in sharpness and contrast during certain indoor scenes due to variations in light capture, though these do not detract from the overall viewing experience. Black levels are robust and deep, contributing significantly to the overall authenticity and immersive nature of the visual experience.

One of the standout aspects of this Blu-ray transfer is its color accuracy. The use of multiple lenses during shooting contributes to this achievement, providing an outstanding color reproduction that only digital cinema can achieve. The stability of the image throughout both cuts is commendable, indicating an excellent mastering process. While there are no abrupt quality drops in transitions between new footage and original scenes in the Extended Cut, an astute eye might notice very slight variances typical of digital cinematography's nuances. Overall, "The Handmaiden" on Blu-ray is a visual marvel, ensuring that viewers experience Park Chan-wook's vision with high fidelity and remarkable stability.

The Blu-ray release of "The Handmaiden" offers two exceptional audio tracks: Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Korean LPCM 2.0. This dual-language (Korean and Japanese) presentation is expertly differentiated with yellow subtitles for Japanese and white for Korean, enhancing the viewing experience. Notably, the film defaults to the LPCM 2.0 track, but the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is where it truly shines, embodying a wide spectrum of outstanding nuances that make it ideal for testing new audio equipment.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track features meticulous dialogue prioritization across the frontal array, ensuring clarity even within the whimsically dynamic score. The sound design captures ambient details with precision, from creaking floorboards to hissing snakes and haunting winds, crafting a fully immersive atmosphere. The surrounds stay active, contributing to the dramatic, dark, or erotic narrative tones, offering impressive dynamic range and separation across the array. This track not only enhances the gorgeous visuals but is also a reference-quality aural accompaniment, making it a superb demo in every respect.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Handmaiden" are comprehensive and well-curated, offering insightful content across both the theatrical and extended versions. Disc One features an extensive Q&A session with director Park Chan-wook at the BFI London Film Festival, making for a deep dive into his inspirations, style evolution, and filmmaking challenges, enhanced by seamless translation between Korean and English. This disc also includes the original trailer. Disc Two, though more succinct in its offerings, includes a brief but informative making-of featurette, footage from the Cannes premiere, a short introduction by the three main leads, and a snippet where Park Chan-wook discusses his inspiration and shooting process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Q&A Session: In-depth discussion with Park Chan-wook on his inspirations and filmmaking techniques.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer with English subtitles.
• Making of: Short featurette on the production process with director and cast comments.
• Cannes Premiere: Footage from the gala screening at Cannes.
• Introduction: Short video by main leads Kim Tae-ri, Kim Min-hee, and Ha Jung-woo.
• Director Interview: Park Chan-wook discusses his inspiration and shooting process.

Park Chan-wook's The Handmaiden is a masterful blend of mystery, eroticism, and period drama, suffused with Hitchcockian twists and gothic style. This film, adapted from Sarah Waters' novel Fingersmith, infuses its source material with Park's unique sensibility and audacity. Set in 1930s Korea under Japanese rule, the narrative follows the young handmaiden Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri) and her partner Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) as they execute a con involving the wealthy Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee). Their scheme unravels amidst an intricate interplay of deceit, seduction, and hidden pasts, challenging each character's identity and motivations.

The Handmaiden is divided into three parts, each revealing different perspectives and adding complexity to the plot. The film's extended cut, running 169 minutes, offers a richer, more resonant experience compared to its 146-minute theatrical release. Park’s direction shines through with a keen eye for detail and an unflinching exploration of sensuality and power dynamics. His skillful storytelling maintains a balance between tension and elegance, reminiscent of Stephen Frears' Dangerous Liaisons while channeling the boldness of Nagisa Oshima’s In The Realm of The Senses.

This Blu-ray release accentuates the film's striking period aesthetics with a superb transfer that highlights the lavish costume and set design. The soundtrack, a blend of baroque and contemporary elements, enhances the immersive experience. Winner of the Vulcain Prize for Technical Artist at Cannes, The Handmaiden stands out for its impeccable performances and atmospheric direction. Subtitles are thoughtfully executed to reflect linguistic nuances, making for an inclusive viewing experience. For lovers of complex narratives and lush cinematography, Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is a compelling triumph that resonates long after viewing.

Artificial Eye's Region B-locked UK Special Edition of "The Handmaiden" stands out as the premier Blu-ray release, offering both the superior Extended Cut and the original Theatrical Cut, which is otherwise only available separately. The inclusion of both versions provides a comprehensive view of Park Chan-wook's intricate storytelling in this film. The video and audio quality are exceptional, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. This release also includes additional exclusive extras that further elevate its value, making it an indispensable addition for enthusiasts of the director's work. Though it may not surpass some of his earlier masterpieces, it remains an essential part of his filmography.

The Blu-ray features the film subtitled as it was in theatrical screenings, with distinct white and yellow subtitles for Korean and Japanese dialogue, enhancing the authenticity and clarity of the cultural exchanges in the film. The Extended Cut offers a more expansive narrative, arguably presenting what should be considered the complete version of "The Handmaiden." This attention to detail reaffirms the edition’s status as the definitive set for collectors and fans alike. From its visual and auditory presentation to its substantial bonus content, this release delivers a thoroughly engaging package.

Overall, "The Handmaiden" is utterly unique. Artificial Eye's Region B-locked UK Special Edition 2-disc Blu-ray release of "The Handmaiden" is clearly the set to own, boasting a superior Extended Cut as well as the original Theatrical Cut (which is the only one available separately), along with a few new extras exclusive to the additional disc. Video and audio are stunning, and the extras are pretty impressive too (particularly if you count the superior cut), leaving this a must-have set. Clearly filmmaker Park Chan-wook intended this to be his magnum opus, and although it doesn't quite match up to some of his early masterpieces, it’s utterly unmissable for fans of his work.