Enchanted April
by Mike Newell
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DVD details
Actor: Alfred Molina, Jim Broadbent, Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Neville PhillipsDirector: Mike Newell
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-05-05
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MIRAMAX
DVD Reviews of Enchanted April
DVD Review: The long awaited release on DVD, "Enchanted April" is an enchanting story but I take one star off for picture quality
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1922, Elizabeth von Arnim, a British novelist famous for many novels which include the 1898 novel "Elizabeth and Her German Garden" and the 1917 novel "Christine" (or Alice Cholmondeley) wrote the 1922 novel "The Enchanted April". The novel would inspire a play and would have its first film adaption in 1935.
But in 1992, director Mike Newell ("Donnie Brasco", "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and the upcoming "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time") and screenwriter Peter Barnes adapted the novel to a film and in 1993, the film would go on to win two Golden Globe Awards (Best Actress - Miranda Richardson and Best Supporting Actress - Joan Plowright) and nominated for three Academy Awards.
And now as part of MIRAMAX's "Award Winning Collection", the DVD release of "ENCHANTED APRIL" is now finally here.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"ENCHANTED APRIL" is presented in Widescreen (1:85:1), enhanced for 16×9 televisions. The picture quality does show its age and there is a tremendous amount of grain and dust and scratches are quite evident. So, I was a bit surprised this film didn't get a digital remastered treatment.
Despite the film's picture quality, there are a few things that really standout. Moreso for the cinematography. For one, the overall location of where the film was shot is absolutely beautiful. The lush vegetation, the flowers, the blue skies and blue ocean and also to keep the 1920's style and feel courtesy of Sheena Napier's costume design.
As for audio, the feature sports a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The film is dialogue heavy with the occasonal music to showcase the mood and beauty of the villa but audio is primarily dialogue driven. Dialogue is clearly heard.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Unfortunately, there is only one feature and that is the feature's commentary with Director Mike Newell and Producer Ann Scott. You can tell its been a long time since these two have seen the film and it's like they are seeing it for the first time. Both talk about the challenge of getting the film financed but also the challenges of filming at the villa and getting the beautiful shots.
There are periods of no commentary as both Newell and Scott are just delighted by the acting of the talent. But since 17 years have passed since the film was released, some scenes are difficult for Director Newell to recall.
JUDGMENT CALL:
"ENCHANTED APRIL"is a story that has enchanted many readers and also viewers for decades. A film about four women who want to escape their own reality, even if it is just for a little time to reflect on their own personal lives and to realize what they want, what makes them happy and if anything, an act of independence.
The film does showcase such a beautiful location and to see each of the four women transformed, revitalized and most of all, to see how the location changes them and their thoughts was nice to see. Lottie who is seen desperately wanting to get away from her drab life and living a life of mostly being a servant, is instantly transformed to a woman who wants to make her own decisions but invites the very person she was trying to get away from. Both instantly find each other.
And of course, without having to spoil the film, to see how each of the women find themselves is the film's strongest point.
Having not read the 1922 novel, one of the positive remarks by those who have read the original novel and have seen the 1993 film, have said the film follows the novel closely. No director's change of interpretation of Elizabeth von Arnim's popular novel but keeping consistent.
But I will have to be truthful that many fans of this film have awaited its DVD release and hoping for it to look a lot better than their old VHS copy. The film does look good on DVD, especially during the outdoor scenes showcasing the villa but for some reason, I was amazed by the amount of grain, scratches and dust that appeared on the final DVD cut of the film. For it to be part of the MIRAMAX AWARD WINNING COLLECTION, I was hoping that like other collections being released on DVD, their would be digitally remastering for a classic film like this.
Another thing I was hoping was to see more special features. Especially new interviews with the cast and their feelings of the film after all these years, for a film on DVD that people have been waiting for, I just wished there was more than the commentary included. But at least, fans do get a commentary track by Director Mike Newell and Producer Ann Scott.
Overall, an enchanting and entertaining film makes its long-awaited debut to DVD and for fans of this film, definitely a film worth checking out.
Description of Enchanted April
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