Black Rain, how good is the picture?

[SeanValen]

I remember reading a old R2 review of Black Rain, saying the picture is bad, how bad?

Big fan of the film, just stayed away from the dvd given the picture.

[SeanValen]

From R2 site:
BlackRain
Before I start this review I think I should make it clear that as far as I'm aware there has never been a decent home video version of "Black Rain". There was a PAL laserdisk version a few years ago that was universally panned for it's poor picture and there has been a few vhs versions with all the problems that that format suffers. Sadly I have to report that this DVD version seems little better which leads me to believe that a decent transfer of this film has never been done. I'm afraid that the list of problems is long, none of them are helped by the fact that the transfer is non anamorphic, a t least the picture is in the correct 2.35:1 format. Where to start ? The picture lacks any really contrast, detail in the shadows is totally lost in the murk and grain and general washed out look. There is no real colour in the picture except for the occasionally over saturated primary colour. Skin tones are well off leaving everyone with a sickly grey look, except when they have been illuminated by one of those saturated primary colours.

I know Ridley Scott was probably going for a deliberately dark and menacing tone (invoking memories of "Blade Runner" perhaps) but I'm afraid to say that this transfer just doesn't work. The real shame of it is there is some wonderfully cinematography at work here. Scot has an eye for detail and frames his shots with an unerring accuracy. His composition is always spot on, take a look a the opening of chapter 24 with the cars driving through liens of posts to see what I mean. As for the rest of the film, yes it's a vehicle for Michael Douglas but this contemporary thriller has enough going on to make it entertaining, if not riveting. There are some great supporting roles, especially Andy Garcia and Ken Takakura but it's Douglas flexing his acting skills in an uncharacteristic hard-man role that holds the attention.

Just for the record, the sound is presented in DD 5.1 and is a reasonable mix. Most of the action is constrained to the 3 front speakers but there is enough going on behind to fill in the sound stage. "Black Rain" is a flawed disk, but I find it hard to lay the blame at the door of the folks who worked on this DVD. Perhaps one day some one will dig out the negatives and see if a proper transfer can be done that brings out Scott's eye for atmospheric cinematography.

[Nana]

Wasn't there a rumour of a R1 special edition a few months ago? What's happened to that, canned I suppose, it's a very stylish, entertaining flick and deserves better treatment. :nono:

[MrSynner]

I've got this - it's one of my favourite movies, but - the R2 DVD version is appalling - please don't buy it, you'll only encourage 'em to release more discs this bad. I've got the Philips videocd version of this from way back, and the picture is actually better than the DVD!

[MarcusUK]

There was meant to be one last year I think. Ages and ages ago someone posted a list of the R1 release schedule for last year, including BTTF. Black Rain was on the list, but it never happend :cry:

[Chief Wiggum]

I bought it cheap in a sale a while back, not knowing it wasn't anomorphic. As mentioned the picture's absolutely terrible, I wouldn't waste money on it if I were you.

[SeanValen]

Thanks for information Black Rain fans.

"But sometimes you have to go for it." Gus

Won't be going for the current dvd, back to preying for a re-release.

[jroadley]

HD-DVD Review (http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/blackrain.html) now online from High Def Digest.

Never seen the film, but speaking to a mate will be checking it out on pay day.

[Goblin]

ordered the HD release from *********, I don't think I've ever watched this movie.

[Jon B]

ordered the HD release from *********, I don't think I've ever watched this movie.

You're in for a treat - it's great!

It's a bit cheesy, but you like Octopussy, so no problems there ;)

[balstino]

Just brought the newish R1 SE and watched it. Sound is fantastic, picture great and documentaries/Ridley Scott full commentary are real treat. Love this film!!!!!! :luv: