True History of the Kelly Gang Blu-ray Review

"True History of the Kelly Gang" delivers an exceptional video presentation through its AVC encoded image, supporting the film's diverse cinematographic styles and levels of visual intensity. The aspect ratio changes throughout the movie enhance the dynamism, while maintaining sharp detail, especially on skin surfaces that reveal nuances of aging and damage. The presentation skillfully surveys homesteads with noticeable decay and weathered appearances, as well as more regal interiors with full reads of decoration. Costumes showcase substantial textural clarity, from Harry Power’s ratty wool outfits to the thinner, lacy dresses worn by the gang members. Facial details are precisely captured, highlighting health issues and distinct facial hair, particularly emphasizing Power's greasy, bushy beard. The exteriors offer a dimensional exploration of the vast Australian badlands in the 1870s, with direct colors favoring earth tones and an impressive display of greenery. Candlelit scenes maintain a warm amber glow with excellent delineation, although some mild banding is detected.

The 1.85:1 high-definition presentation on this nearly pristine 1080P Blu-ray exudes depth and dimension in its fetching cinematography. The AVC encode runs at extremely high parameters, ensuring transparent capture of vivid imagery without significant issues. The transfer, sourced from the digital intermediate, is technically sound and devoid of excessive processing, retaining consistent clarity despite the film's gritty vibe. Shadow delineation and contrast are exemplary, although there is a minor issue of crushing in the darkest scenes. The overall balance between rich picture detail and minimal color filtering effectively underscores the period drama's visual impact, presenting Australia's badlands with sharp, concise definition and unfaltering quality.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) sound mix in "True History of the Kelly Gang" is expertly engineered to provide an immersive and dynamic listening experience. Dialogue exchanges remain clear and distinct throughout, maintaining the unique Australian accents with excellent fidelity. The soundtrack integrates a punk vibe effectively, with buzz saw guitars and snappy beats that enhance both the introspective and violent moments. Surround channels are utilized proficiently to create a rich atmosphere, capturing the essence of nature's isolation and the tension of tight spaces or echoed lecture halls. Directional effects are employed skillfully, adding realism to scenes involving group activity and violent action.

The mix offers substantial LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) presence, particularly during intense sequences involving galloping horses and heavy weaponry, providing palpable rumble and impact. The soundstage is spacious, with effective channel separation that ensures directional bursts are clear and pinpointed. The use of anachronistic elements in the score—plucked from modern music—adds a unique twist, enhancing the period setting with unexpected dissonance. An explosive finale showcases dynamic range with a swell of LFE rumble. Two secondary audio options are available: a 2.0 DTS-HD MA track and a descriptive English track. Optional English SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and Spanish subtitles, rendered in a white font, are also provided for better comprehension.

In summary, the audio presentation of "True History of the Kelly Gang" on Blu Ray is robust and engaging, combining clarity in dialogue with an innovative score and a well-balanced mix of atmospheric elements and sound effects, ensuring an absorbing auditory experience.

The extras for the "True History of the Kelly Gang" Blu-ray, distributed by Shout Factory for IFC Films, are sparse but notable. They include the main theatrical trailer and several additional IFC trailer previews that provide context for the film's marketing approach. The set also comes with optional slipcover and reversible cover art, enhancing collectibility. Fans seeking more in-depth content may be disappointed by the lack of extensive behind-the-scenes material, but the included extras offer a glimpse into the film’s promotional strategy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Official trailer summarizing the film.
• IFC Films Trailers: Previews for other films by the distributor, including Swallow, Three Christs, and Resistance.

True History of the Kelly Gang, directed by Justin Kurzel and adapting Peter Carey's 2001 novel, takes a feverishly bold approach to the oft-portrayed saga of Australian outlaw Ned Kelly. George MacKay (1917) stars as the notorious bushranger in a film that diverges from traditional historical recounting to embrace a punk rock aesthetic and anachronistic style. The narrative begins with young Ned (Orlando Schwerdt), whose childhood is marred by his family's descent into ruin, driven by a sexually rebellious father and a mother (Essie Davis) who turns to prostitution to survive. Set against the rugged 19th Century Australian landscape, the film follows Ned’s tumultuous path from mistreated boy to ferocious bandit under the mentorship of Harry Power (Russell Crowe).

Kurzel’s direction infuses the tale with a relentless cinematic vigor. The screenplay by Shaun Grant structures the story through letters Ned writes to his son, evoking a dark introspection into his violent legacy. The early portions of the film effectively capture Ned’s formative years, juxtaposing his moments of unintended heroism with the crushing failures of his parents—particularly his mother’s selfish refusal to give him a chance at a better life. As Ned matures into adulthood, encountering further torment from authorities like Sergeant O'Neill (Charlie Hunnam) and Constable Fitzpatrick (Nicholas Hoult), the film shifts towards an exploration of his rage-filled rebellion.

Despite the strong performances and energetic direction, True History of the Kelly Gang suffers from a narrative imbalance. While the first half establishes a compelling backdrop and rich character development, the later scenes succumb to a stylistic overkill reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s flamboyant works. The film employs heavy visual flair and anachronistic music that, though intended to underline Ned’s escalating fury, often distracts from deeper character exploration. Consequently, while Kurzel's ambition and the cast's dedication present an engaging experience, some viewers might find the 124-minute runtime overly indulgent for what could have been a tighter, more focused portrayal of Kelly's legendary defiance.

"True History of the Kelly Gang" on Blu-Ray is a visually arresting film that delves into the infamous outlaw Ned Kelly's turbulent life with a blend of historical drama and modern stylistic flourishes. The transfer is sharp, capturing the raw intensity and the frenetic energy of Kelly's violent escapades. Director Justin Kurzel paints a gritty portrait rich in atmosphere and visual contrast, although the creative choices can sometimes feel over-indulgent, distracting from the core narrative.

The first half of the film anchors itself firmly in depicting Ned's harsh upbringing, offering a compelling view into his formative years marred by abuse and systemic oppression. However, as the story progresses, it shifts towards a more surreal portrayal, emphasizing Kelly's descent into legend with scenes of heightened theatrics. This shift is where the film begins to lose its tight grip on storytelling, trading emotional depth for bombastic moments that strive for a grandiose, almost Shakespearean air.

Technically, the Blu-Ray presentation excels, supporting the stylistic ambitions with crisp video quality and immersive sound design. Despite its stylistic strengths, the film struggles with pacing issues and an occasionally pretentious tone, particularly in the latter half where it attempts to elevate local folklore to epic proportions. While "True History of the Kelly Gang" offers frenzied shoot-outs and intense performances, particularly from George MacKay, the emotional resonance sometimes gets lost amidst the spectacle.

True History of the Kelly Gang doesn't fall apart in full, but it sheds emphasis in the second half, where Ned tastes the good life with Mary, only to find everything destroyed by Fitzpatrick, inspiring him to go to war with the law, activated by persistent dreams of a naval legend involving the sheer power of a steel warship. There are furious men in bright dresses (offering pleasure and rebellion in one fell swoop), frenzied shoot-outs, and Ned's creeping metamorphosis into a mulleted feral state, allowing McKay to perform at maximum physicality, which resembles the rest of his recent performances. The fireworks display is there, but Kurzel dials down deep feelings, trying to give the story a grand Shakespearian lift that's unnecessary. Closeness to Ned's varied experiences with growth and trauma is always more compelling than his spittle-drenched outbursts, and True History of the Kelly Gang gradually loses urgency when it transitions from a tale of cockeyed manhood to an act of war.