Bronson Blu-ray

Bronson

 (2009)

Action | Biography | Drama | Thriller



This drama tells the real-life story of the infamous British prisoner Charles Bronson (not to be confused with the actor from the U.S. of the same name). Though Bronson was initially sentenced to seven years for burglary, his bad behavior--including attacking violently, taking hostages, and staging protests from the roof--has had him imprisoned for more than three decades, most of it in solitary confinement.

For more details about Bronson on Blu-ray, see the Bronson Blu-ray Review

Bronson Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


No one’s going to objectively claim that Bronson is a stunner in the PQ department, but the film’s gritty, 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer is a perfect match for the film, and likely looks just as intended. Filmed on both 16mm and 35mm—though the former seems more prevalent than the later—Bronson features varying levels of clarity, graininess, and noise over its 92-minute running time. It’s not exactly sharp—not sharp sharp—but there’s an appreciable amount of detail to be seen, especially in the few scenes where it’s clear that cinematographer Larry Smith has switched to 35mm. Colors seem well-saturated throughout, from the sickly sea-foam greens of a mental asylum to plush mauve curtains and, of course, the red, red blood that flows after Bronson takes a beating from the prison guards. Where things get a bit uncertain, directorial intent-wise, is when it comes to the occasionally oppressive blacks and at times overheated whites. It’s never to the point of distraction, but detail is sometimes lost in both highlights and shadows. Likewise, chroma noise peppers many of the darker scenes, adding flecks of blue to the otherwise deep blacks. That said, there’s been no DNR here, and no halo-inducing edge enhancement. This isn’t your average, glossy, new release image—there are even some white specks dotting the print—but it’s a winning example of a film’s visual style mirroring its thematic substance. Bronson fans should be pleased.

Bronson Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


I quite like Bronson’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which has a strong sense of presence, solid dynamics, and good acoustics. This isn’t the most rip roaring, action-packed mix you’ll hear this year, but it’s good at what it does; namely, putting us into the often surreal world of Charles Bronson. Listen as he bellows “Please Release Me” after being chucked into a darkened cage. Hear the booming strains of a Pet Shop Boys song as asylum inmates do epileptic dancing at the makeshift rec-room disco. Be enraptured by the operatic arias that accompany the violence. In one of the film’s more inspired sonic moments, Bronson’s punches are represented not with the usual meatpacking thuds and whomps, but with laser beam sound effects straight out of a 1970s sci-fi film. The rear channels are frequently occupied with acoustic ambience, score, and other sounds, like the clinking of chains, distant thunder, and screaming prisoners. As for dialogue, I found it effortless to understand Bronson’s monologues to the camera, but some of his in-prison diatribes—between the speed of his voice, the heaviness of his accent, and the natural reverb in his cell—prompted me to turn on the subtitles for clarification. Overall, though, this is a great mix that keeps all of its various elements nicely balanced.

Bronson Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Bronson Gets US Blu-ray Date - December 5, 2009

Bronson Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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