Deserter Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Deserter" from Inception Media provides a generally strong visual experience, encoded in 1080p HD with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. There is some ambiguity around the aspect ratio, as IMDb lists it as 2.35:1. However, the current presentation does not exhibit apparent cropping or altered compositions, suggesting the Blu-ray aspect is likely accurate.

The film benefits from its production using Panavision high-definition cameras and digital intermediate processing by Deluxe Laboratories' EFILM division. The result is a clean and detailed image with excellent color accuracy that avoids bleeding or oversaturation. Night scenes are particularly notable for their deep black levels, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

While the majority of the film offers sharp, high-definition visuals, early sequences before the protagonist Murray's basic training showcase a more film-like texture. This variation likely arises from either post-production manipulation to add texture or the potential use of different filming techniques for these scenes. Minor issues such as occasional motion blur and noise are present but do not significantly detract from the overall quality. Despite these minor flaws, the presentation remains robust and visually engaging, even if it falls short of being considered demo-worthy.

Inception Media's audio presentation of "Deserter" on Blu-ray is limited to a DVD-quality Dolby Digital 5.1 track encoded at 448 kbps. The mix is functional but deeply conservative in its design, with almost no surround sound activity even amidst the intense battle scenes. While the dialogue remains consistently clear, it often lacks the dynamic range to fully engage the listener. The score by Debbie Wiseman plays a minimal role and fails to leave a lasting impression, sitting comfortably in the background without exerting any memorable presence.

Despite the presence of helicopters, gunfire, and shouted commands you'd expect from a war film, this audio track disappointingly directs the vast majority of the sound towards the front channels. Ambient noises and effects are barely audible from the rear speakers, which significantly diminishes the intended immersive experience. The lack of robust bass extension fails to deliver the impact that battle scenes deserve, rendering the overall audio experience as adequate but far from exceptional.

The Blu-ray of "Deserter" offers a modest selection of bonus content, though it could benefit from more depth and variety. The sole extra provided is a trailer tailored specifically for the video release, prominently featuring Tom Hardy and Yorick van Wageningen, while curiously omitting any mention of Paul Fox, the film's lead actor. This trailer begins with the Inception Media logo and serves more as a promotional piece than a retrospective or insightful addition to the film's narrative or production context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A custom-made video release trailer highlighting cast members Tom Hardy and Yorick van Wageningen, without referencing lead actor Paul Fox.

“Deserter,” originally released as "Simon: An English Legionnaire," chronicles the real-life experiences of Simon Murray (Paul Fox), an Englishman who joins the French Foreign Legion in Algeria during its fight for independence in the 1960s. The film’s notable selling point is its co-star, Tom Hardy, whose prominence overshadows Fox on the Blu-ray cover due to Hardy's rise to fame in more recent blockbusters like "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Inception." Shot on location in Morocco, the film benefits from its dramatic landscape and gritty atmosphere. Hardy's compelling screen presence adds depth to a script that otherwise struggles with characterization and narrative cohesion.

Paul Fox's portrayal of Murray is often criticized for a perceived lack of depth, reflecting his character’s vague motivations and stereotypical depiction. Murray's journey from a London office to the brutal training grounds in Algeria, under harsh superiors such as Lt. Thibault (Christian Mulot) and Sgt. Crepelli (Enzo Cilenti), echoes the intense boot camp sequences from “Full Metal Jacket,” though with an even darker tone. The recruits’ initiation is grueling, testing their physical and mental resilience. Amidst this, Murray develops a tentative friendship with Pascal Dupont (Hardy), a so-called pied-noir or French Algerian, whose true purpose in the Legion reveals a complex layer of political intrigue.

As the narrative oscillates between episodic training segments and active combat scenes, it delves into themes of loyalty and moral conflict. The most engaging sequences occur near the film’s climax when President de Gaulle concedes to Algerian independence, momentarily inciting a coup threat that pits soldiers against each other. While some combat scenes are intense and well-executed, the storytelling is uneven, with significant plot points abruptly transitioning or left underdeveloped. Supporting roles from Felicite Du Jeu and Yorick van Wageningen offer additional yet underutilized dimensions. Despite its shortcomings, “Deserter” has moments that resonate within its genre, partly redeeming its chaotic structure through earnest performances and historical context.

The Blu-ray release of "Deserter" is a technically competent yet unremarkable package, presenting a film that has struggled to find its footing both in marketing and in public reception. The movie, bolstered somewhat by the later fame of Tom Hardy, features sporadic moments of intrigue but is ultimately hampered by a subpar script, lackluster dialogue, and erratic direction. This release is devoid of any significant bonus content and is let down further by its audio presentation, which fails to immerse the viewer fully.

The video quality on the Blu-ray is adequate but not exceptional. While it avoids glaring technical errors, the visual presentation does little to elevate the film's often uninspired aesthetic. The colors and details can occasionally stand out, but those instances are infrequent. The audio mix, another critical aspect of any Blu-ray, falls short of modern standards, providing an experience that is serviceable at best.

Despite these limitations, Inception Media offers a no-frills approach to this release that might appeal to completists and genre enthusiasts. The Blu-ray's technical aspects, though not outstanding, are competent enough to ensure a decent viewing experience for those intrigued by the concept or Tom Hardy's early work.

I'm not recommending "Deserter," but if anything in the review or the screenshots intrigues you, the Blu-ray will provide a technically acceptable viewing experience. Inception Media is a no-frills publisher, but when one considers the deplorable treatment given to some A-list titles by major studios like Disney, a competent no-frills approach looks pretty good by comparison.