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Blu-Ray : Highly Recommended
Ranking:
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Release Date: March 24th, 2020 Movie Release Year: 2019

1917

Overview -

1917 tells a simple story against a large canvas that's beautifully captured by Roger Deakins. The story may not be a new one, but how it's presented, the war in question and the incredible execution makes 1917 one of the finest entries in the War Film genre - and an incredible piece of filmmaking. Universal delivers a spectacular 1080p Blu-ray experience that offers one of the best 1080p visual experiences available with an intensely immersive Dolby Atmos mix. Bonus features are decent enough but a larger comprehensive package would've been welcome. All the same, if you haven't upgraded to 4K yet, 1917 on Blu-ray will test the mettle of your home theater setup. Highly Recommended.   

We also reviewed 1917 on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

In 1917 at the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (MacKay) and Blake (Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake's own brother among them. 1917 comes to Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM and DVD with bonus content showcasing the incredible craft and artistry behind the immersive feature, including a detailed look into the production design, how the film engineered a one shot, 360-degree format and interviews with the cast and crew.

OVERALL:
Highly Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p AVC/MPEG-4
Length:
119
Aspect Ratio(s):
2.39:1
Audio Formats:
English: Dolby Atmos
Subtitles/Captions:
English SDH, French Canadian, LA Spanish
Special Features:
• Feature Commentary with Director of Photography Roger Deakins.
Release Date:
March 24th, 2020

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

Read our thoughts about the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of 1917 for a full review.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Universal Releases 1917 to Blu-ray in a two-disc Blu-ray + DVD + Digital set. The discs are housed in a standard two-disc case with identical cardboard slipcover artwork. The disc loads to trailers for other Universal releases before arriving at an animated main menu with standard navigation options.

Video Review

Ranking:

1917 pushes 1080p Blu-ray to the limits with a picture-perfect 1080p 2.39:1 transfer. If 4K didn't exist, this would be the demo disc of the ages to show off your home theater rig. If you are 4K UHD ready - that is absolutely the release to own. If you're not on that wagon train yet - there should be nothing beyond some social distancing to keep you from buying this disc. 1917 is a stunning visual presentation. Details, colors, black levels - everything is picture-perfect for this format. The only thing holding it back is the fact that it's not in native 4K with HDR. That's it. Facial details are impressive with costuming and scenery getting equal attention. Black levels are spot on without any crush issues. Colors are vivid with amazing primary presence. Again, if you're rigged for it or plan to be - 4K is the way to go. If you have no intention to upgrade anytime soon, this 1080p Blu-ray succeeds at every step.

Audio Review

Ranking:

Both the 4K UHD Blu-ray and the 1080p SDR Blu-ray release enjoy an Atmos audio mix that is an auditory marvel. For a war film, it's not all guns and explosions - most of the film is actually very quiet as two men make their way through trenches, bunkers, across rivers - it's not about the action sound effect you're expecting to hear, it's about the subtleties you don't hear! 

This mix offers up pin-point perfect vertical, side, and rear sound effect placement. The vertical channels give plenty of space through open fields but then come crushing in when our heroes enter an abandoned enemy bunker. Likewise, when soldiers leave the trenches and the bombs start falling around them the channel movement and impact provide this beautiful cacophony of imaging and LFE. That airplane sequence is a highlight moment.

For the standard marks of dialog clarity, scoring, and surround effects - everything is an A+ effort. The mix is perfection from start to finish. You never once lose a line of dialog against a background of Thomas Newman's exceptional score and warfare. Levels are spot on without any need to ever adjust things. I simply say turn up the volume and let the movie suck you in. 

Special Features

Ranking:
  • Audio Commentary featuring Sam Mendes
  • Audio Commentary featuring Roger Deakins/
  • The Weight of the World (UHD 4:29)
  • Allied Forces: the Making of 1917 (UHD 12:01)
  • The Score of 1917 (UHD 3:53)
  • In The Trenches (UHD 6:59)
  • Recreating History (UHD 10:25)

Final Thoughts

2019 saw a terrific number of amazing movies take theaters and streaming services by storm. Not all of them could stand on stage come award time and the case can be made that 1917 deserved a few more than it got. Visually stunning, this arresting war film is a simple story about the bonds of wartime friendship told by a master director in peak form with camera work by one of the best shooters in the business. 

Universal Studios delivers an impressive 1080p Blu-ray release that is only upstaged by its 4K counterpart. If you haven't upgraded, this disc sports a tremendous video transfer with a fully immersive Atmos audio mix to match. Bonus features offer two great commentary tracks with some decent supplementary material. If you love war movies or just love great filmmaking, turn out the lights and roll 1917 - it's a Highly Recommended Blu-ray release.