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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Eagle, The

    Featured In Issue 158, July/August 2011

    Picture5
    Sound5
    WSR Score4
    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):
    Universal Studios Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    62112188
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13 / Unrated
    (Rating Reason):
    Battle sequence and some disturbing images
    (Retail Price):
    $39.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    114 / 114
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2011
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    06/21/11
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Kevin MacDonald
    (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, DTS 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    The Eagle takes place in 2nd Century Britain. Celebrated Roman solider Marcus Aquila (Tatum) embarks on a dangerous quest to restore the tarnished reputation of his father and find the golden emblem that disappeared with him and thousands of troops 20 years earlier. But the highlands of Caledonia are a savage wilderness, and Marcus must rely on his embittered slave, Esca (Bell), to navigate the perilous region. Their journey pushes them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism. Based on the novel The Eagle Of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. (Gary Reber)

    Both the theatrical version (01:54:09) and the unrated version (01:54:09) are available. Special features include commentary with Director Kevin MacDonald, an alternate ending (HD 04:37), deleted scenes (HD 06:22), a making-of featurette (HD 12:12), My Scenes, BD-Live functionality, and a digital copy of the film.

    The 1080p AVC picture is wonderfully visual. Filmed in Hungry and Scotland, the picture was photographed with natural lighting throughout, which enhances the feeling of realism. Contrast is well balanced, from sunlit overcast skies to nighttime darkness and heavy shadows. Colors are rich and earthy and never exaggerated. Fleshtones are naturally hued throughout. Blacks are varied and, at times, deep. Resolution is excellent, especially during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, weaponry, and object textures. The play of light in the shadowy segments is engaging and enhances the cinematic texture of the film. Anthony Dod Mantle's cinematography captures every nuance of scale and texture. This is an absolutely engaging cinematic experience that won't disappoint. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is a master work of nuance and dynamic contrasts. Every bloody battle and scuffle is defined with its own signature soundscape against rugged terrain and rivers. The intense scenes are punctuated with .1 LFE energy that, at times, extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies. Atmospherics and sound effects are articulate and provide an aggressive soundfield presence. Directionality is spatially localized throughout the soundfield. Dialogue is perfectly integrated spatially throughout, whether during quiet conversations or intense battles and one-on-one combat. Atli Orvarsson's orchestral music score is impressively dynamic and always supportive, whether portrayed with lush strings, haunting vocals, or powerful brass and drums. This is a wonderful holosonic® experience that is reference quality throughout. (Gary Reber)

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