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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Brassed Off!
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor & Stephen Tompkinson

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 3.5
    Sound Rating: 3.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Miramax Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 10486AS
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $39.99
    (Running Time In Minutes): 101
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1997
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Mark Herman
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
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    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.82:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo SR
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Brassed Off! is a charming drama with comic relief that follows the fortunes of a Yorkshire English mining town and its inspirational brass band. Heads turn and hearts pound when Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald), the childhood sweetheart of bandmember Andy (Ewan McGregor) returns home, only to find the town turned upside-down by the threat of the mine closing down. While the two forge a new relationship, the band takes on its greatest challenge: competing in the championships at the Royal Albert Hall. Beautiful music provided by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, matted at 1.82:1, has a slight dark character, but color fidelity is good with natural fleshtones, rich and vibrant colors and deep, solid blacks. Only sometimes does the picture look oversaturated. Images are generally sharp and detailed, but are sometimes wanting. Artifacts are detected throughout, but noise is mostly limited to interiors.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Surround soundtrack features a terrific brass band music score with a wide and deep soundstage. Dialogue sounds natural and is nicely spatially integrated. Some effects are produced in stereo and surround is generally subtle, except for the coal mine scenes which exhibit deep bass. The soundtrack works well and is engaging.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: