WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Beyond Rangoon
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 19 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Patricia Arquette, Francis McDormand, Spalding Gray & U Aung Ko

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): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 49326
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $34.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 99
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1995
(LD Release Date): 3/1/96
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): John Boorman
(Screenplay/Written By): Alex Lasker & Bill Rubenstein
(Story): NA
(Music): Hans Zimmer
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Anthony Pratt
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Ron Davis
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Sean Ryerson
(Co-Producers): Alex Lasker & Bill Rubenstein
(Producers): Barry Spikings, Eric Pleskow & John Boorman

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
In Beyond Rangoon, a young American doctor (Patricia Arquette), who is tormented by tragic events in her past involving the violent deaths of her husband and son, travels to the Far East to recuperate and vacation with her sister (Francis McDormand). She becomes stranded in Berma during a clash between the military government and pro-democracy forces, when her passport is stolen. Accompanied by an elderly professor-turned tour-guide (U Aung Ko) she embarks on a dangerous “unofficial tour” during which she learns the true meaning of friendship and courage, and rediscovers in herself a powerful will to live.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture quality is inconsistent with the exteriors better rendered than the interior scenes. Fleshtones are inconsistent as well but colors are vivid. There is virtually no noise or artifacts. The transfer is composed at 2.33:1.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack delivers subtle sound effects in stereo and natural dialog, although the fidelity is slightly strident. The music score provides subtle surround envelopment.
(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: