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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Atonement


Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 131 (May 2008) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan & Vanessa Redgrave

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3
DD Sound Rating: 3.5
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4
Internet Links
www.filminfocus.com/atonement

Special Features
Special features include seven deleted scenes with an optional commentary track by Director Joe Wright, the following featurettes: Bringing The Past To Life: The Making Of Atonement (27 minutes) and From Novel To Screen: Adapting A Classic (five minutes), a feature commentary track by the director, and previews.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 61033285
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Distrubing war images, language and some sexuality
(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): 123
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2007
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 03/18/08
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Joe Wright
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Briony Tallis (Ronan), an aspiring playwright, lives on a country estate in pre-World War II England with her mother and older sister, Cecilia (Knightley). When Briony catches Cecilia and the maid's son, Robbie (McAvoy), in an intimate position, she is hurt and confused by what she sees. Driven by jealousy, Briony accuses Robbie of a crime he did not commit. The repercussions of her unfounded claim will affect Robbie and Cecilia for the rest of their lives, and leave Briony in search of Atonement for her transgressions. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, Atonement won an Academy Award

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD shows good resolution, but the entire image is somewhat washed out and pasty, especially in the early scenes. Whites often bloom and black levels are elevated. Shadow delineation is fairly good though. The blooming whites seem to be intentional, as they do not appear later in the presentation. Color bleeding can also be recognized and noise can be visible in the darker scenes. Edge enhancement is not a huge problem, but pixilation and compression artifacts can be distracting. (Danny Richelieu)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby