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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Being There


    Genre: Comedy

    Reviewed In Issue 50 (July 2001) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Warden, Melvyn Douglas, Richard Dysart & Richard Basehart

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 3
    DD Sound Rating: 1.5
    DTS Sound Rating: NA
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links
    http://www.warnervideo.com
    Special Features
    Includes cast and crew biographies, the theatrical trailer, and an awards list.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 938
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Rating Reason):

    		 NA
    (Retail Price): $19.98
    (DVD Type): Single Side, Single Layer (DVD5)
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 130
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 1979
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 04/03/01
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Hal Ashby
    (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:
    Based on the novel by Jerzey Kosinski, Being There stars Peter Sellers as Chance The Gardener, a dimwitted man who has lived his whole life within the walls of a Washington, DC townhome and only knows the outside world by way of television. Upon the death of his employer, Chance suddenly finds himself loose on the world, and his simple philosophy of life

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD exhibits a dated picture that is nicely rendered. Images can be soft at times, but detail is nicely presented. Colors are nicely saturated with accurate fleshtones and generally deep blacks. Edge enhancement is minor, and infrequently noticed. The picture seems slightly dim, with mediocre contrast and shadow detail. The darker scenes are wanting in definition, exhibiting minimal perception between darkness and picture black. There are occasional source element artifacts apparent, while some scenes are clean and solid. (Suzanne Hodges)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

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