Pilgrimage
(2017/RLJ Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B+/C+ Sound: B+/C+ Extras: A Film: B+
A
young novice monk (Tom Holland, Spiderman: Homecoming) is
tasked with delivering a their most holiest relic to Rome. Along
with his fellow brothers and a mute servant (Jon Bernthal, The
Walking Dead) they are forced to journey through Ireland filled
with barbarian tribes, Norman soldiers and heretics. Leaving the
safety and sanctity of the monastery, the young monk's beliefs, faith
and spirit will be tested in Brendan Muldowney's Pilgrimage
(2017).
Rome
is in it's dark days and is calling for anything and everything to
restore it to it's former glory. Young novice monk Diarmuid with his
holy brothers and their mute servant is given a pilgrimage by Brother
Geraldus, a Cistercian to deliver their most holy relic to Rome, the
stone that killed Mathew the Apostle ...at any cost. As they journey
through the savage lands of Ireland, they face dangerous wild
tribesmen and those who seek the relic's power, but they are betrayed
by the Norman soldiers tasked to protect them and the must question
their vows of peace and non-violence.
Brother
Geraldus believes the successful delivery of the holy relic merits
over any sin and they will be granted absolution afterwards. He
encourages Diarmuid to lie, cheat, steal, kill, even sacrifice his
own brothers for the success of the mission. However, Diarmuid's
only true friend and protection lies with their mute servant, a
former Crusader skilled in the arts of war. In the end, Diarmuid
will have to decide is such a relic worthy of all the death and
violence that surrounds it's legacy?
This
story was of how they church was it's own greatest
heretic/blasphemer, it was about a time when people believed in the
power of holy relics to control the people's fate and were willing to
kill for it, be it the Holy Grail, the Spear of Longinus or Jesus's
crown. The role of the church and faith is put into question, who is
at fault for all the violence, the item or the church?
The
1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer on the Blu-ray
has a consistently stylized look and is as fine as it can be for the
format, as well as much sharper, clearer and solid than the DVD's
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1
image. The Blu-ray's DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix is
pretty impressive too throughout, articulate, well-recorded, well
mixed and much fuller than the DVD's lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 mix.
Extras
include behind the scenes, interviews with cast and crew, photo and
poster gallery.
-
Ricky Chiang
