Blind Chance Blu-ray Review
Przypadek
Score: 70
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
"Blind Chance," restored in 4K, brilliantly captures Witek's three paths in a communist society; Criterion's top-notch video, audio, and extras make this release essential.
Disc Release Date
Video: 67
Criterion's Blu-ray of 'Blind Chance' delivers an impressive 1080p HD transfer in a 1.72:1 aspect ratio with a strikingly healthy presentation, thanks to a meticulous 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative approved by cinematographer Krzysztof Pakulski. Colors are stable, detail is strong, though some scenes suffer from low brightness.
Audio: 77
The Blu-ray of 'Blind Chance' features a remastered Polish LPCM 1.0 audio track, with English subtitles. The audio is crisp, lush, and boasts excellent depth and clarity. Dialog and high frequencies are stable and easy to follow, with no distortions or audio issues noted, making it an ideal presentation for this film.
Extra: 56
The Blu-ray extras for 'Blind Chance' provide deep insights into the socio-political context of Kieslowski's work, featuring interviews with key personalities such as Tadeusz Sobolewski and Agnieszka Holland, details of the film's censorship, and a comprehensive illustrated booklet with essays and interviews, enhancing the cinematic appreciation.
Movie: 81
Criterion's Blu-ray release of Krzysztof Kieslowski's 'Blind Chance' impressively conveys the gloomy, oppressive atmosphere of a communist regime through meticulous cinematography by Krzysztof Pakulski and an intricate narrative structure. The disc's supplements, including rare interviews and censored scenes, provide invaluable historical and cultural context.
Video: 67
The video presentation of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Blind Chance on Blu-ray, courtesy of Criterion, is commendable for its robust 1080p transfer. Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC and presented in an aspect ratio of 1.72:1, the film benefits from a meticulous 4K resolution digital transfer, created from the 35mm original camera negative and a print, and restored in 2K resolution. This restoration, approved by cinematographer Krzysztof Pakulski, delivers striking clarity, depth, and fluidity that only recent high-resolution scans can accomplish.
The image stability is excellent with even grain distribution, ensuring a filmic look without any distracting noise or sharpening artifacts. Closeups reveal intricate facial features and detailed wardrobe stitching, while wider shots maintain consistent sharpness and depth. Colors are stable and well balanced, providing natural skin tones, although some scenes exhibit slightly low brightness levels that lead to light crushing effects. This minor issue aside, the overall visual presentation is impressive, showing far better color balance than previous releases.
The Criterion release excels in preserving the integrity of the original material while enhancing its visual quality. Black levels are predominantly deep and inky, and there are no significant compression artifacts to mar the viewing experience. This Blu-ray disc is Region-A locked, requiring a compatible player for access. In conclusion, this is likely the finest presentation of Blind Chance to date, offering enthusiasts a visually outstanding experience that honors Kieslowski’s vision.
Audio: 77
The Blu-ray release of "Blind Chance" offers a single standard audio track in Polish LPCM 1.0, complemented by well-executed English subtitles. The remastered audio is immediately noticeable for its crisp, clear presentation. Both the beautiful piano and oboe solos particularly showcase the precise high frequencies and extensive depth that permeate the entire film's soundtrack. Sound effects and ambient noises are exceptionally balanced and authentic, contributing to a stable and refined auditory experience.
Dialogue clarity is a standout feature, consistently clean and easily comprehensible, which enhances the engagement with the film's narrative. While some may prefer a more immersive audio experience, such as a stereo or 5.1 mix, the existing LPCM 1.0 track flawlessly supports the film's minimalist aesthetic. Crucially, there are no audible issues like pops, cracks, shrills, or hiss throughout the film, ensuring an uninterrupted and smooth listening experience.
This collection's audio track proves to be a highly effective component of the film, adeptly maintaining an appropriate range and depth without overshadowing the primary cinematic elements. While it lacks the expansive surround sound typical of modern action-packed releases, it serves its purpose excellently for this type of film, heightening the overall viewing experience through its subtle yet sophisticated audio presentation.
Extras: 56
The Blu Ray of "Blind Chance" includes a well-curated set of extras, offering deep insights into Krzysztof Kieslowski's acclaimed work and the socio-political context in which it was created. Key features include a newly conducted interview with Polish film critic Tadeusz Sobolewski, delving into the socio-political climate of Poland during the film's production and its place in Kieslowski's oeuvre. Another highlight is an interview with director Agnieszka Holland, discussing her first impressions of the film and the challenging production process. Additionally, the disc provides a presentation of the nine segments that were censored by the Central Film Board in Poland, which are invaluable for understanding the film's historical significance. A thoughtfully illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by Dennis Lim and an interview with Kieslowski completes the package.
Extras included in this disc:
- 'Blind Chance': Unshelved: Insightful interview with film critic Tadeusz Sobolewski.
- Agnieszka Holland: Interview discussing initial impressions and production challenges.
- Censored: Presentation of nine previously censored segments.
- Leaflet: Illustrated booklet with essays and interviews.
Movie: 81
Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Blind Chance" (1987), arriving on Blu-ray from Criterion, remains a powerful examination of choice and consequence set against the backdrop of Communist Poland. The film, initially completed in 1981 but banned until 1987, follows medical student Witek (Boguslaw Linda) who faces three diverging paths after attempting to board a train. Each scenario reveals starkly different outcomes—first aligning him with the Communist party, then involving him in an underground resistance movement, and finally, in a neutral stance, reconnecting with a former lover.
The narrative structure is highly innovative, exploring themes of fate and personal agency. Kieslowski's direction juxtaposes political commentary with an intimate character study, capturing the systemic oppression and social turmoil of the time. Cinematographer Krzysztof Pakulski enhances this with a palette of cold blues, browns, and grays, which evoke the bleakness and tension inherent in Eastern Bloc countries during the 1980s. The film's visual tone mirrors its critical perspective on communist ideology and predicts political decay, highlighting the controlled, fear-based lives of individuals under such regimes.
Criterion’s edition maintains the film's original integrity despite some minor lingering censorship. This release also includes a wealth of bonus materials: an insightful new interview with critic Tadeusz Sobolewski, archival footage with writer/director Agnieszka Holland, and previously censored scenes from the Central Film Board in Poland. Supplementary features such as a detailed essay by Dennis Lim and a 1993 interview with Kieslowski enrich the viewing experience. This presentation ensures that "Blind Chance" remains not just a cinematic artifact but also an educational tool about political oppression and human resilience.
Total: 70
'Blind Chance,' directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, is a profound exploration of life's unpredictability under a communist regime. This film follows Witek, who is presented with three different scenarios based on whether he catches a train or not, each scenario reflecting the stark choices faced by individuals in the Soviet bloc. Criterion's Blu-ray release delivers impeccable video and audio quality, making Witek's journey both visually and audibly immersive. The 4K restoration by TOR Film Studio enhances every detail, ensuring that Kieslowski's vision is preserved and presented in the best possible manner.
The supplementary materials included in the release are noteworthy, providing critical insights and historical context. Kieslowski's meticulous direction is complemented by these extras, which enrich the viewer’s understanding of both the narrative and the socio-political backdrop. Each scenario Witek encounters brings to light different facets of human nature and societal pressures, offering a compelling commentary on fate and choice.
Overall, the Criterion release of 'Blind Chance' is an exemplary restoration that does justice to Kieslowski's masterful storytelling. The film's depiction of three distinct paths mirrors the dilemmas faced by people during the Cold War, making it a timeless piece. The high-quality restoration furthers the impact of its narrative, making this edition a must-have for cinephiles. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 80
When there is an abundance of natural light the visuals are very impressive, boasting clarity, depth and fluidity that only a very recent 4K scan could produce....
Audio: 100
The beautiful piano and oboe solos, for instance, sounds crisp and lush and the high-frequencies are rock solid....
Extras: 60
Agnieszka Holland - in this video interview, writer/director Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa, To Kill a Priest) discusses her initial impressions of the rough cut of Blind Chance, the unique structure...
Movie: 90
The main character in the film is Witek (Boguslaw Linda, Szamanka), a young medical student who understands that he is approaching the crossroads of life and very soon he will have to choose a direction....
Total: 80
The three chances Krzysztof Kieslowski gives Witek to choose a direction in his life produce the three scenarios people in the countries from the former Soviet bloc were offered during the Cold War --...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The grain is well balanced and never fluctuates, keeping with the filmic look and the black levels are mostly deep and inky....
Audio: 80
This might not be a fully immersive track with tons of explosions, but it gets the job done with the type of film this sets out to be....
Extras: 60
An interview from more than a decade ago for the DVD version with director Agnieszka Holland, where she talks about the first cut of the film and the hardships of making this movie....
Movie: 80
After being released and interrogated into talking about this underground movement, Witek joins a group of anti-communists, but becomes Catholic in the process, where he still doesn't seem that happy....
Total: 80
Kieslowski brilliantly shows us his struggles and chance meetings as our main character Witek tries to catch a train, and the following actions that he takes to chose a life of good, no matter what obstacles...
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Actors: Boguslaw Linda, Tadeusz Lomnicki, Zbigniew Zapasiewicz
PlotWitek Dlugosz, a medical student in Poland, is thrust into a series of life-altering decisions after the death of his father. As he races to catch a train bound for Warsaw, the film explores three distinct paths his life could take depending on whether he makes it on board. In the first scenario, he successfully catches the train, leading him to become an active member of the Communist Party, driven by political devotion and the desire to make a significant impact. This path immerses him in the complexities and moral ambiguities of political involvement during a turbulent era in Poland.
In the second scenario, Witek misses the train but encounters an old friend who introduces him to the anti-Communist resistance. His life then takes a turn towards clandestine activities and opposition against the state, fueled by a quest for justice and personal integrity. Lastly, in the third scenario, Witek again misses the train but instead returns to his studies in medicine. This path sees him focusing on personal fulfillment and family life, attempting to lead a quiet existence away from the political unrest that defines contemporary Poland. Each scenario showcases different facets of Witek's personality and the unpredictable nature of fate, encapsulating the broader existential questions and societal tensions of his time.
Writers: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Release Date: 10 Jan 1987
Runtime: 114 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Poland
Language: Polish, Danish