Anatomy of a Fall

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and granted a 1080p transfer, "Anatomy of a Fall" comes to Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The high-definition presentation is exemplary, showcasing superb clarity, sharpness, and depth throughout the film. As the movie was released theatrically only last year, the top-notch visual quality is anticipated and delivered effectively. Notably, the color palette maintains a natural balance with impressive stability in the overall image. However, it's important to point out that the brief segments featuring taped material reflect a slight drop in definition and clarity, which is typical for such content.

The image stability remains excellent, with no encoding anomalies detected during the review process. This Region-A locked Blu-ray release ensures that viewers will need a native Region-A or Region-Free Blu-ray player to access its content. Overall, this transfer underscores Criterion’s commitment to preserving visual fidelity and delivering high-quality home viewing experiences.

The Blu-ray release of "Anatomy of a Fall" features a singular audio track: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 with notable segments in English. This setup is accompanied by optional English and English SDH subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience. The film’s sonic landscape is defined by its minimalist approach, predominantly utilizing a recurrent piano theme and various organic sounds. These elements deliver subtle dynamic contrasts that are integral to the narrative. Dialogue is consistently clear, clean, and well-balanced, providing an engaging auditory experience without any distortion or anomalies throughout the film's playback.

The absence of an elaborate musical score allows the audio design’s nuanced elements to shine, emphasizing ambient noises that enhance the film's realistic atmosphere. This meticulous selection of sound elements ensures that pivotal moments are punctuated effectively, maintaining the viewer’s immersion in the storyline. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track performs admirably across diverse auditory scenes, ensuring dialogue and environmental sounds are presented with stability and precision. There were no detectable encoding issues, underscoring the quality of this audio presentation.

Overall, the audio presentation on "Anatomy of a Fall" Blu-ray is a commendable effort in delivering an immersive and highly detailed listening experience. By leveraging a minimalist score and focusing on the clarity and stability of dialogue, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides an evocative soundscape that complements the film's visual storytelling seamlessly.

The Blu-ray extras for "Anatomy of a Fall" provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience, deeply enriching the viewer’s understanding of the film. Justine Triet delivers an insightful commentary on her documentary background and the film’s production, enhancing appreciation for the artistic decisions made. The alternate and deleted scenes, accompanied by Trier's introduction, offer additional layers to the narrative. Auditions highlight the casting process, while rehearsals with Milo Machado Graner and Sandra Hüller reveal the intense preparation undergone for their roles. Notably, the behind-the-scenes glimpse into training the dog Messi brings a unique perspective on incorporating animal actors. Completing the collection are the original U.S. trailer and an illustrative leaflet featuring critical essays.

Extras included in this disc:

Justine Triet: Justine Triet discusses her background as a documentarian and the production of "Anatomy of a Fall."

Alternate and Deleted Scenes: Several alternate and deleted scenes with an introduction by Justine Trier:

• The Psychic
• The Reunion
• The Argument
• The Restaurant
• Vincent and Sandra

Auditions: Casting sessions presented in French with English subtitles:

• Milo Machado Garner
• Milo Machado Garner Callback
• Antoine Reinartz

Rehearsals: Follow Milo Machado Graner as he trains for his role with casting director Cynthia Arra and Sandra Hüller.

Behind the Scenes with Snoop: Animal coach Laura Martin discusses Messi’s preparation for his role.

Trailer: Original U.S. trailer for "Anatomy of a Fall."

Leaflet: Illustrated essay by critic Alexandra Schwartz, including technical credits.

Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall (2023), released on Blu-ray by Criterion, offers a meticulous examination of a family's idyllic life tragically disrupted. Set in the secluded mountains near Grenoble, Sandra (Sandra Hüller), her husband, and son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner), appear to have found paradise. This illusion is shattered when Daniel discovers his father with a fatal head wound. The subsequent investigation unravels the façade of their perfect life, with Sandra emerging as the prime murder suspect. The film's 151-minute runtime is layered with complex legal proceedings and fragmented flashbacks, emphasizing the flexible nature of truth within the French legal system.

Despite its critical acclaim and Palme d'Or win, Anatomy of a Fall has drawn mixed reactions. The film's narrative, structured as a mosaic of disjointed segments, often lacks the suspense expected from a legal thriller, which may dampen its appeal to some viewers. The courtroom scenes, while providing some comparative insights into the French legal process, are largely forgettable. Sandra and Daniel's reconstructed memories fail to heighten the tension, reiterating that truth can be exceedingly malleable. This ambiguity might frustrate those seeking a clear resolution as Triet leaves much to the audience's interpretation.

The standout performance in the film comes from Snoop, Daniel's loyal dog, whose exemplary acting adds an emotional layer to the story. A particularly gut-wrenching scene involving Snoop's poisoning showcases the realistic and heart-rending portrayal of his suffering. Ultimately, while dog lovers might find this aspect compelling, Anatomy of a Fall struggles to consistently engage audiences compared to past Palme d'Or classics like La Dolce Vita or Apocalypse Now.

Review 1: Anatomy of a Fall's transfer to Blu-ray is exceptional, showcasing the film's intricate visual and auditory details. The video quality is sharp with well-balanced colors, rendering the movie's somber tone effectively. The audio track is clear, meticulously preserving dialogue and subtle ambient sounds, enhancing the court scenes' intensity.

Review 2: This Blu-ray edition does justice to Justine Triet’s directorial vision, delivering crisp visuals and an immersive soundscape. Each shot, whether in the courtroom or the more intimate settings, is rendered naturally, maintaining the film's tension. The audio mix ensures that every legal argument and emotional beat is heard distinctly, without overwhelming the viewer.

Review 3: Criterion's Blu-ray release for Anatomy of a Fall impresses with its high-definition transfer that brings out the film's precision in cinematography. The color grading and contrast are handled with finesse, while the audio fidelity supports a nuanced listening experience. Special features include in-depth director commentary and behind-the-scenes footage that offer valuable insights into the film's production.

Review 4: The Blu-ray presentation of Anatomy of a Fall stands out for its technical prowess. HD video brings clarity and depth to the film's varied locations, while the sound design captures the subtleties of background noise and courtroom drama. Extras like interviews and making-of documentaries enrich the viewer's understanding of Justine Triet’s artistic choices.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of “Anatomy of a Fall” excels in both visual and audio fidelity, presenting an exemplary transfer that captures the intricacies of Justine Triet’s direction. The high-definition video demonstrates exceptional sharpness, balanced color tones, and precise contrast that enhance the film's somber atmosphere. Simultaneously, the DTS-HD Master Audio track ensures clear and impactful sound, preserving every nuance of dialogue and ambient effect, crucially maintaining the courtroom scenes' auditory intensity.

In addition to the stellar technical presentation, the Blu-ray offers a comprehensive set of special features. These include director commentary, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage that provide deep insights into the filmmaking process. The color grading is performed with great accuracy to complement the narrative's mood, making each frame appear lifelike and engaging.

Is it a murder or suicide? If it is the former, who is the killer? For approximately thirty minutes, it feels like Anatomy of a Fall is itching to become a terrific whodunit, which is what virtually all mainstream critics have argued it is. But if you believe them and prepare yourself to see such an engrossing film, I guarantee you will have a very disappointing experience with Anatomy of a Fall. Justine Triet is far more interested in examining the strengths and weaknesses of the French legal system, and for well over two hours she does precisely that, but her work is unfocused and ultimately underwhelming. Criterion's Blu-ray release offers a solid technical presentation of Anatomy of a Fall.