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No Country for Old Men

Blu Ray

  • Score
    71
    from 2 reviewers
    Review Date:
  • No Country for Old Men: A genius Coen film, devoid of humor but rich in narrative, meriting high praise.

    No Country for Old Men Blu-ray Front Cover

    Disc Release Date:

  • Video
    76
  • No Country for Old Men's Blu-ray delivers unparalleled 1080p quality, achieving lifelike detail, authentic colors, and sharp contrasts, setting a high bar for visual fidelity.

  • Audio
    71
  • No Country for Old Men's PCM 5.1 track excels in clarity and immersion, with detailed dialogues and authentic sound effects, despite slight front channel weighting.

  • Extra
    54
  • The 'No Country for Old Men' Blu-ray disappoints with its lack of a directors' commentary and standard definition extras, yet offers intriguing insights into the Coens' work and production details.

  • Movie
    76
  • No Country for Old Men" melds the tale of good vs evil with a stark mood, stellar performances, and unforgiving landscapes, earning it critical acclaim and Academy Awards.

    Video: 76

    The Blu-ray presentation of "No Country for Old Men" is a prime example of how high-definition technology can elevate a film's visual narrative. With an AVC MPEG-4 encode on a BD-50 disc, the level of detail achieved in 1080p is nothing short of staggering. Colors are vibrant yet naturalistic, blacks are deep without losing detail, and contrast is striking yet balanced, presenting the bleak yet beautiful landscapes and intense character close-ups with an almost tactile realism. The film’s cinematography is complemented by this transfer, which handles everything from the stark, daylight exteriors of the desert to the grim nighttime cityscapes with aplomb, avoiding issues like blooming in bright scenes and crushing in dark ones. The careful preservation of authentic skin tones and the meticulous representation of both the serene and the savage aspects of its setting set a new bar for home video quality.

    Notably, the Blu-ray’s handling of special effects and makeup—especially in scenes depicting violence and its aftermath—showcases an unprecedented level of clarity, contributing to the film’s unflinching portrayal of brutality. Gunshot wounds and the intricate process of tending to them are rendered with such precision that they command both attention and emotional response from viewers. Equally impressive is its rendering of nighttime sequences, where the play of shadow and light is mastered to such a degree that every detail, from the harshness of a gunshot to the subtle nuances of nocturnal landscapes, is vividly brought to life. This fidelity extends to quieter moments too, capturing the eerie beauty of the desert and the intricate details within mundane settings with equal skill.

    Moreover, the Blu-ray edition significantly outperforms its DVD counterpart, presenting a cleaner, more stable image free from edge enhancement, artifacting, or compression problems. Despite a subtle grain in darker scenes—a faithful representation of the original film print rather than a flaw—this release exemplifies how technical excellence can enhance narrative immersion. Through its precise shadow delineation and stark contrast settings, combined with its resolution of fine details like facial textures and environmental minutiae, this Blu-ray not only respects but also amplifies Roger Deakins' masterful cinematography and the Coens' intense narrative vision.

    Audio: 71

    The audio presentation of "No Country for Old Men" on Blu-ray, while not achieving the reference quality of its video counterpart, provides an immersive and detailed auditory experience that few will find fault with. The 24-bit/48 kHz uncompressed PCM 5.1 surround track executes with precision, showcasing clear and crisp dialogue that takes center stage, particularly noted in the opening narration by Tommy Lee Jones. The audio captures subtleties with finesse, offering micro and macro details in voices, alongside impressively resolved sounds of nature, vehicles, and notably, firearms. Explosions, gunshots, and even the quieter yet chilling sss-thunks of Chigurh’s cattlegun are delivered with a jarring clarity and power, underpinned by solid LFE support.

    Despite a slight constriction and coloration to the sound that may render it marginally thin, the overall soundscape is authentic and convincing, bringing to life the film’s tense and sparse atmosphere. The track manages to seamlessly blend incidental ambient sounds into the mix, adding a layer of realism without overwhelming the central action. The technical execution of pans and directionality is commendable, ensuring that objects and characters are perfectly positioned within the soundfield, thus heightening the immersive experience. Surprisingly, the rear surround channels are more active than anticipated, providing an immersive dimensionality to both interior and exterior environments which, although centered mostly in the front channels, still extends the city's ambiance with a deliberate preciseness.

    However, it's noteworthy that despite these strengths, the majority of the audio does lean towards the front channels, slightly limiting the expansion of the soundfield into more distant environments. This aspect aside, the audio track on the Blu-ray adeptly replicates the theatrical experience, pleasing fans and audiophiles alike with its technical prowess and engaging sound design.

    Extra: 54

    The Blu-ray presentation of "No Country for Old Men" offers a modest assortment of extras, albeit in standard definition with two-channel audio, somewhat disappointing for enthusiasts expecting high-rez enhancements. Despite this limitation, the supplementary material notably shines in "The Making of No Country For Old Men," which is a comprehensive deep dive into the film's production process, featuring insightful discussions with the Coen brothers on their adaptational choices from novel to screen, as well as contributions from key cast members. While the featurettes might lack the allure of a directors' commentary, they provide a glimpse into the Coens' directorial approach and the collaborative atmosphere on set. However, additional in-depth analyses or a broader range of behind-the-scenes content would have enriched the collection, particularly for fans eagerly seeking to explore every facet of this cinematic masterpiece.

    Extras included in this disc:

    • Working with the Coens: Reflections from the cast and crew about their experiences.
    • The Making of No Country For Old Men: Insider insights into the film's production.
    • Diary of a County Sheriff: A comparative analysis of characters within the film.
    • Trailers: Promotional material for other related titles.

    Movie: 76

    No Country for Old Men," directed masterfully by Joel and Ethan Coen, emerges as a cinematic treasure, enveloping viewers in the stark, unforgiving landscapes of West Texas during the late 1970s. The movie intricately weaves together the lives of its three central characters: Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a lawman grappling with the encroaching shadows of evil and moral decay; Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), an everyman caught in the throes of fate after stumbling upon a drug deal gone awry; and Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a psychopathic hitman whose presence ultimate embodies malevolence. Through their intertwined destinies, the film delves deep into themes of fate, morality, and the inexorable nature of evil, leaving an indelible mark on the audience's psyche with its profound narrative and unsettling ambience.

    Leveraging Cormac McCarthy’s gritty novel, the Coen Brothers render a cinematic piece that is both visually striking and narratively gripping. With a knack for authentic storytelling, they ensure that each frame is meticulously crafted, with Roger Deakins' cinematography amplifying the desolation and menace lurking within the landscape. Bardem’s portrayal of Chigurh, recognized with an Academy Award, stands out as he brings to life a chilling and unforgettable embodiment of chaos and moral ambiguity. This character, among others, adds layers to the film’s exploration of fate versus free will and the pervasive shadow of death that hangs over each scene.

    At its core, "No Country for Old Men" is lauded not just for its storytelling prowess but also for its refusal to adhere to conventional narrative arcs, pushing boundaries within the thriller genre. The narrative proceeds with a deliberate pace, cultivating tension and foreboding in equal measure. This dynamism is further enhanced by the eerily composed soundtrack and minimalistic dialogue that accentuates the solitude and desperation of the characters, making their journey all the more resonant. As a result, this film stands as a testament to the Coens' virtuosity in filmmaking—a bleak yet captivating examination of humanity's ceaseless confrontation with the unknown and the unknowable forces that shape our existence.

    Total: 71

    No Country for Old Men" stands as a testament to the Coen Brothers' daring departure from their traditional filmmaking style, presenting a narrative ripe with tension and devoid of their signature comedic relief. This Blu-ray edition encapsulates the raw intensity and meticulous craftsmanship that defines the film. Its high-definition transfer showcases the stark, unforgiving landscapes and the nuanced performances of its cast with exceptional clarity. Moreover, the PCM audio track elevates the experience, enveloping the viewer in the film's suspenseful atmosphere with crystal clear sound quality. Despite a rather sparse selection of extras, the sheer quality of the film's presentation is undeniably compelling.

    What sets this film apart is not just its refusal to conform to conventional story arcs, but the profound exploration of its characters, particularly the juxtaposition between Moss and Chigurh. Their parallel narratives, underpinned by themes of fate, morality, and violence, are magnified through the Blu-ray's exceptional audio-visual quality. This edition allows for an immersive experience into the Coens' meticulously crafted world, further highlighting their shift towards a more somber and reflective cinematic exploration. It's a bold move that not only redefines their body of work but also enriches the film's impact on its audience.

    In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "No Country for Old Men" is an essential addition to the collection of any cinephile. It does justice to the film’s profound narrative and stylistic achievements, offering an unparalleled viewing experience. While it may leave some wanting in terms of additional content, the quality of both video and audio presentation makes it a worthy homage to one of the most pivotal films in the Coen Brothers' illustrious careers. This edition reaffirms the film's status as a modern classic and underscores its significance within the realm of cinematic artistry.