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Non-Tech : Image Entertainment (DISK) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: William T. Katz who wrote (256)	11/30/1998 5:33:00 PM
From: William T. Katz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 379

Dances with Wolves, a DISK exclusive, is #19 on Amazon's Hot 100 DVD list. You can get it for $15 (50% off like others on the list)! Check out the comments posted on the DVD: "Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2 davepamn@ieighty.net from Utah , November 21, 1998 One of the Most memoriable movies of this decade. Dances with Wolves is a classic story of rugged individualism and romance. The story's theme is rooted in the acceptance of an American Soldier taken in by a tribe of Sioux interested in learning of the intentions of an expanding foreign nation. Deeply rooted in a belief that the Sioux Nation could endure conflict, as done by their ancestory with the Spanish Conquers hundreds of years before, they believe life will continue unchanged. The climatic tension is released, as the John Dunbar is hunted by a government who thinks he has turned traitor, as he and his bride flee from the army. One is left to reflect on a way of life deeply rooted in myth, nature, and appreciation of life and the poltics of power. vantran@earthlink.net from Seattle , November 18, 1998 Dances with Wolves is a major accomplishment. Ranked #75 on the American Film Institute's top 100 and having swept the Oscars in 1990, Kevin Costner's directorial debut of Dances with Wolves remains one of the most essential and ambitious films to explore the American Frontier. Certainly, I couldn't think of another film of this decade that has so masterfully wove the American West's history in a more compelling and earnest portrayal. While Costner's vision does askew to the romantic and sentimental disposition of the bond between a white man and Indians, the story is so authentically told and photographed that's hard not to be swept away to John Dunbar's last frontier. Image Entertainment does a magnificent job in honoring the film with this quality assured THX transfer. The first thing I notice are the astonishing details and colors of the presentation. Everything is just so vivid and vibrant, making the opening scene of John Dunbar's nearly amputated leg so much more gruesome. The quality of the near decade old 35mm print is still terrific, much of which I am sure due to the efforts by the dedicated folks at Image. There is no trace of digital artifacts or dirt particles to mar the presentation. Images are razor-sharp and colors are fully saturated without any hint of degradation. Shadow details are clearly defined with deep blacks that look fantastic against the starry night skies. The Panavision scope picture is perfectly framed at 2.35:1 and also 16x9 enhanced. The layer switch occurs at around 1:24 and is near seamless. Not many films can show the frontier as more vigorous and audacious than through the lenses of Australian photographer Dean Semler (City Slickers, Waterworld). He understood the force of the landscape and captured that spirit on the screen. Through his images, I can almost feel myself stepping onto the prairie and be overwhelmed with the isolation and beauty of it. Then there is the memorable buffalo hunt, which surely is one of the most thrilling sequences ever on film. The DVD features an exclusive multichannel soundtrack from the original audio stems found in England as a result of an exhaustive worldwide search by Image. None of the previous laserdisc recording features a Dolby Digital track. That effort is much appreciated as the 5.1 channels fully engages the listener. The Oscar winning score by John Barry just get better with time. The soaring orchestration opens up like the landscape and encompasses the emotions and experiences of Dunbar throughout his journey. The John Dunbar theme like the character is simple and noble. The rest of the score is equally accessible and not overly wrought. The recording easily produces a spacious environment and reaches a dramatic tension of rolling percussion during the Pawnee attack. Sound effects are well integrated with subtle discrete surrounds. Imaging is excellent such as the sound of arrows flying through air and striking the victim. The buffalo hunt takes the viewer out of the living room and onto the path of a stampeding herd. The exciting sequence actively involves all speakers with deep bass extension. Dialogue sounds natural and the Sioux dialogue is perfectly subtitled beneath the picture. The Special Edition comes with an immensely enjoyable commentary track by Kevin Costner and producer Jim Wilson. The three hours flew by quickly listening to them recounting experiences and telling anecdotes. Dances with Wolves is a major accomplishment and Costner's best effort to date. And like the film, everything just felt into place with this highly recommended DVD production from Image. " amazon.com