• Login
    • Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Russian Ark
    Genre: Special Interest

    Reviewed In Issue 78 (Nov 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Sergei Dreiden

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 3
    DD Sound Rating: 3
    DTS Sound Rating: NA
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 4
    Internet Links
    http://www.wellspring.com/russianark
    Special Features
    Special features include producer Jens Meurer English audio commentary track, a 43-minute making-of documentary (in English), a 48-minute Mon Paradis-Der Winterpalast documentary (subtitled in English), six minutes worth of interviews, and filmographies.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Wellspring
    (Catalog Number): FLV5382
    (MPAA Rating): Not Rated
    (Rating Reason):

    		 NA
    (Retail Price): $29.98
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 99
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2002
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 09/09/03
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Alexander Sokurov
    (Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
    (Story): Subscribe Now!
    (Music): Subscribe Now!
    (Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
    (Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
    (Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
    (Editor): Subscribe Now!
    (Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
    (Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
    (Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Producers): Subscribe Now!
    (Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Picture Information

    (Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Anamorphic Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
    (Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Sound Information

    (DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Sound): Subscribe Now!
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
    (DTS Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate): Subscribe Now!
    (Additional Languages): Subscribe Now!
    (Subtitles): Subscribe Now!
    (WSR Superb Sound Qualities): Subscribe Now!

      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    "Russian Ark" is the first feature film done in a single take; the longest uninterrupted shot ever in film history. Through the eyes of an unseen narrator who embarks on a journey through the Hermitage Theater And Museum, we are led through 300 years of Russian history. And when our unknown visitor meets up with a 19th century stranger (Dreiden), he finds himself in the company of a tour guide who leads him from 18th century Russia to the Great Royal Ball of 1913. (Tricia Littrell)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD exhibits an HD-originated picture that opens with an appropriately cold appearance. Shortly, the story moves inside the Hermitage Theater, to a warmer, richer color palette with lots of golden hues. However, contrast can seem a bit low at times. The picture on DVD often seems soft and smeared; a higher resolution medium (such as D-VHS or HD-DVD) would be needed to help replicate what it would be like to walk through the theater in person. Edge enhancement is not a problem, and there is minimal pixelization. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

    Reason #122 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    I read Widescreen Review because it’s great! It gives me all the information I need on HDTV home theatre, equipment, and DVD/D-VHS reviews. Other magazines don't even come close to the amount of information you give me! Also, you give me DVD evaluations, to tell me which DVD is right for my home theatre! Thank you, Widescreen Review for giving me the pleasure of reading your magazine! Thank you for helping me build my great home theatre! I LOVE IT

    Jose Meza
    26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
    Copyright © Information • All Rights Reserved • www.widescreenreview.com • Web Site Established In 1995 • Privacy Policy • Partners