Son of Saul Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Son of Saul" delivers a meticulously crafted 1080p transfer, preserving the film's intended visual aesthetic. Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC and framed at approximately 1.35:1, the visuals exhibit a raw and bleak quality, akin to old photographs, enhancing the period authenticity. Detail levels are exceptional though not overly pristine, maintaining a fine balance that avoids detracting from the film's immersive experience. Objects such as frayed prisoner garments, Nazi uniforms, facial lines, and concrete walls are rendered with sufficient tactile presence. The color scheme is intentionally subdued, dominated by drab grays, greens, and flesh tones, although occasional leafy greens and red X symbols provide momentary contrast. Black levels are fundamentally deep but exhibit minor crushing in shadowy corners, while film grain remains non-intrusive and compression artifacts are non-existent.

Depth of field plays a significant role in "Son of Saul," with the cinematography’s selective focus creating considerable dimensionality. As Saul traverses various indoor and outdoor locations, viewers experience a dynamic sense of space and interaction. Clarity is maintained even with the narrow focus, allowing significant visual engagement without overwhelming the viewer. Notably, black levels remain consistently inky throughout dimly lit scenes, adding to the film's atmosphere. Despite the dreary palette, color reproduction remains effective with occasional pops in outdoor scenes contributing nuanced variations beyond shades of gray. Facial textures score high with strong close-up detailing ensuring an emotional connection with characters.

Overall, this video transfer of "Son of Saul" upholds the director’s vision, providing a profound and engaging visual experience that captures the film’s harrowing narrative through its precisely managed technical execution.

The audio presentation of "Son of Saul" on Blu-ray features a Hungarian language DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, which is supremely engaging. The immersive sound design plays a crucial role in shaping the film's atmosphere, as the camera rarely strays from intimate character close-ups, making the aural component indispensable. The soundtrack masterfully fills in visual gaps, with the rumbling of trucks, agonizing screams, and the industrial clamor of heavy iron and metal doors enhancing the tension. Dialogue is clear and centered, providing fine clarity amidst a detailed soundscape that includes lighter background elements in exterior scenes.

From the technical standpoint, the audio options include Hungarian 5.1 DTS-HD MA and a 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio Description Track, accompanied by English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, and Spanish subtitles. The dynamics of the soundtrack are exemplary, capturing an extensive variety of sounds that contribute to the film's complex environment. The low-frequency extension (LFE) is robust, effectively supporting the setting’s intense and diverse auditory elements. The surround sound presentation is exceptional, with each channel meticulously utilized to build a rich and immersive auditory experience. Dialogue reproduction stands out, remaining distinct and comprehensible amid the intricate layers of surrounding sound.

The Blu-ray release of "Son of Saul" offers a robust selection of extras that will deeply satisfy those interested in this impactful film. The audio commentary by Writer/Director László Nemes, Actor Géza Röhrig, and Cinematographer Mátyás Erdély is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the story's themes, technical intricacies, and performances, shedding light on the underlying purposes of the film. Additionally, the hour-long Q&A session at the Museum of Tolerance provides a substantial and intelligent discussion on various facets such as project origins, story construction, and the unique challenges of filming. The disc also includes a poignant deleted scene and the theatrical trailer which adds to the overall understanding of the film’s context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Detailed insights from László Nemes, Géza Röhrig, and Mátyás Erdély on story details, themes, and technical elements.
• Q&A at the Museum of Tolerance: In-depth discussion covering project origins, story construction, and technical details.
• Deleted Scene: Return from the River: An evocative additional scene.
• Theatrical Trailer: The film's original trailer.
• Previews: Additional Sony title previews.

Laszlo Nemes' debut feature, "Son of Saul," is a harrowing yet indispensable work that thrusts the viewer into the dreadful confines of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Nemes and co-writer Clara Royer construct a narrative centered around Saul (Geza Rohrig), a Hungarian-Jewish member of the Sonderkommando, forced to aid the Nazis in the ghastly task of handling gas chamber victims. Saul's seemingly singular, obsessive mission to find a rabbi to offer a proper burial for a boy he claims as his son transforms into a poignant tale of preserving humanity amidst incomprehensible horror.

The film’s visual and narrative strategies are distinctive and purposeful. Cinematographer Matyas Erdely's close-up shots of Saul, often blurring the chaotic, ghastly surroundings, anchor the audience’s view to Saul’s shoulder, intensifying the claustrophobic atmosphere and emotional engagement. The 4:3 aspect ratio further compresses the frame, enhancing the sense of entrapment. The film's dominant color palette—a dreary meld of green, gray, and yellow—conveys a world steeped in despair, adding to the immersive experience. The deliberate long takes and meticulously choreographed sequences underscore the intricate planning behind the film's execution, contributing to its status as a technical marvel.

Performance-wise, Geza Rohrig delivers an exceptional portrayal of Saul through nuanced facial expressions and subdued desperation. The ensemble cast amplifies this ordeal, with each actor vividly conveying their dire circumstances and individual struggles. The narrative's relentless discomfort is crucial in highlighting the value of human dignity and normalcy against a backdrop of systemic dehumanization. "Son of Saul" challenges viewers with its stark realism and devastating subject matter, ultimately emerging as a film of profound significance and power, paralleling epic tales such as Spielberg’s “Schindler's List” in its own intimate way.

"Son of Saul" on Blu-ray is a remarkable experience that underscores its harrowing subject matter through exceptional technical and artistic execution. Director László Nemes delivers a profoundly disturbing yet emotionally rewarding narrative, showcasing his incredible vision and deep understanding of cinema's storytelling capabilities. The performances, particularly by Géza Röhrig, are powerful and meticulously crafted, drawing viewers into the brutal reality of the Holocaust with an unrelenting grip. The film’s use of detailed imagery and immersive sound design creates an atmosphere that is both poignant and chilling, adding layers of depth to an already significant piece of historical storytelling.

Sony’s Blu-ray release enhances this experience with high-quality audio that pervasively immerses the viewer. While the video quality may not be conventionally appealing, its aesthetic choices are deliberate and contextually effective, amplifying the film’s raw and stark depiction of its themes. The supplemental materials are outstanding and offer significant insights into the film’s production. An extensive commentary track by Nemes, cinematographer Mátyás Erdély, and star Géza Röhrig, along with an hour-long discussion panel filmed at the Museum of Tolerance, enriches the understanding of the ethical considerations and technical challenges faced during production. These extras are invaluable for those deeply interested in Nemes’ innovative approach and the film’s thematic construct.

In conclusion, "Son of Saul" is a deeply, darkly serious film that's as immediately disturbing as any film before it but more emotionally rewarding than many. The film's ability to convey its story and themes through performances and visuals is remarkable. László Nemes has, in one film, proven himself a filmmaker with incredible vision, demonstrating how imagery, dialogue, performance, and sound can seamlessly work together to create one of the most important movies about the Holocaust. The Blu-ray release is highly recommended for its exceptional audio presentation and insightful extras, though its intense nature might not encourage frequent rewatching.