Brokeback Mountain (HD-DVD/DVD Combo Format)

 

Picture: B+/B-     Sound: B/B-     Extras: B-     Film: B

 

 

Brokeback Mountain continues to be a hit, whether due to its critical acclaim, curiosity interest or bold subject matter.  The film has already arrived on DVD twice in the following versions reviewed:

 

Original DVD Release

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3578/Brokeback+Mountain+(Widescreen+Standard+DVD-Video)

 

New DTS DVD

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4878/Brokeback+Mountain+–+2-Disc+Collector’s+Edition+(DVD-Video)

 

 

Now we look at the HD-DVD version, which in the Combo edition offers a flipside of the same information as the second DVD edition, including extras.  The HD side is a further improvement than the standard DVD upgrade, with a more beautiful, clearer, cleaner and deeper image in the 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition version.  Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography really looks fine here, much more like the film prints.  Though the HD side only offers a Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 mix instead of the new DTS mix, it is the slightest bit better than the DTS, but not by much.  The combination is the one to see this film in at home.

 

It also makes the film comes through in the visual narrative approach that more clearly than DVD ever could, which is why this is the version to own, with a DVD side so you don’t have to buy it twice.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo