BLU-RAY REVIEW

D-Day: Normandy 1944 IMAX 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue 250, June/July 2020

Picture5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Shout Factory
(Catalog Number):
SF 29824
(MPAA Rating):
Not Rated
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$29.95
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
100
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
5/5/2020
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Pascal Vuong
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

"D-Day: Normandy 1944" is the account of the largest Allied operation of World War II, which began on June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France. Yet few know in detail exactly why and how, from the end of 1943 through August 1944, this region became the most important location in the world. (Gary Reber)

Special features include an interview with Director Pascal Vuong (HD 06:40); an interview with Narrator Tom Brokaw (HD 02:24); an interview with Historical Advosor Pete Herrly (HD 03:51); the behind-the-scenes featurettes "Normandy" (HD 04:05), "Sand Animation" (HD 02:29) and "Music" (HD 05:46); a "D-Day: 1944" Promo (HD 03:37); a trailer; Normandy Today (HD 01:36) and The D-Day Museum 9HD 04:37).

The 1.78:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally using the Red Dragon and Sony F65 camera systems and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. While produced for IMAX Theatres in 3D by 3D Entertainment, no 3D Blu-ray Disc was provided for review. The imagery throughout is satisfyingly sharp and resolved with fine detail exhibited. The graphical display of locations and maps is sharp and clear. CGI is used often, for example, in the armada crossing the English Channel and sequences of bomber squadrons. These animations consistently appear sharp, as does the extensive aerial photography. As well, the reds used to indicate the Nazi domination of Europe are nicely saturated. Overall this is a well-crafted picture that effectively depicts the scope of the allied forces landing that changed the world. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack nicely complements the historic landing in Normandy. There is an enveloping orchestral score that extends to the surrounds and underscores all manner of sound effects, which are often panned, such as in some of the flying sequences. Deep and strong .1 LFE bass extends to provide energy to the explosions depicted. As well, atmospherics provide effective support to the proceedings. Tom Brokaw's narration is consistently intelligible and nicely balanced within the soundstage, This is a nicely crafted soundtrack that does not disappoint. (Gary Reber)