4K Ultra HD – US Edition – Lionsgate Films – 130 min – 12 October 2021
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: Dolby Vision
• Ratio: 1.85
Soundtrack
• English Dolby Atmos
Subtitles
• English
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
WORK – A man facing his legend
Sir Gauvain, knight of the round table of King Arthur, of whom he is also the nephew, accepts the challenge of a mysterious Green Knight. He has to behead him. Gauvain executes. The Green Knight goes back with his head under his arm and reminds him that in a year they will have to meet again...
Crossed by supernatural visions and marked by visual fulgurances, this melancholic (and not epic) spiritual journey that twists the chivalrous narrative from which it is inspired (the « exploits » of Sir Gauvain) to question the « Bravery » of the knights, away from the classical medieval productions by venturing on the psychological shores rather than getting lost in the jousts. A filmmaker who is unique if he is, wouldn't David Lowery be forging his legend?
IMAGE – The Color of Shame
With stunning beauty, the photo of the work finds in this UHD Dolby Vision transfer an ally of weight... It must be said that this presentation from a DI 4K (images captured in 6.5K using a camera Arri Alexa 65) rises to the top without ever bending.
The colour banding visible in HD (the underwater search of a head) is from ancient history, the definition is even more royal and the level of detail is significantly increased (face features, medieval costumes, texture of decors and/or landscapes).
The colorimetric palette, very specific it is true in addition to being essential to narration, acquires new shades (cf. the multiple shades of gold and grey) while adding boldness to its primaries (a greener nature, reds and yellows better saturated), the additional precision brought to the contrasts allows an improvement of the clarity of the scenes plunged into the darkness (thanks to more opulent blacks and whites enhardis), and the light sources, most unusual, we admit, are restocked with sun (he splashes some diurnal passages) and fantastic bursts (reflections on blades, cloudy skies, flames).
SON – The darkness of the soul
Immersive but rarely demonstrative, this harmonious soundtrack Dolby Atmos intelligently uses its spatialization and bass (the Green Knight's movements) to better embark on this outdoor adventure.
The dynamics know how to play its presence, the environmental atmospheres are not lacking (the agitation of the brothel, the noises of nature), the surround scene is refined (wind, fauna, enemies hammering the walls of the castle), the effects of height contribute to the feeling of certain events (especially when Guinevere enters trance to the reading of the letter brought by the Green Knight) and dialogues such as the score (intressing and contemplative) are delivered as clearly as proper.
CONCLUSION – Tell me a myth
Making his way to a majestic 4K Ultra HD, this existential quest for impressive imagery was not without knowledge that magic could only work!
Artistic note
8.5
Video quality
10
Audio quality
9.5
0
[...] A mastery of the tension, which makes the viewing galvanizing and offers moments of pure fear almost on the side of horror. And without falling into the eye, Legrand distills in his account the touches of style carried out with a bluffing technical perfection (in particular a sense of the llipse that is not without recalling some of The Green Knight's plans). [...]