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WSR Detailed DVD Review
White Countess, The
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 109 (Jun 2006) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, Hiroyuki Sanada, Lynn Redgrave, Allan Corduner, Ying Da, Madeleine Daly, Dan Herzberg, Jean-Pierre Lorit, Lee Pace, Madeleine Potter, Pierre Seznec, Luoyong Wang & John Wood

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 3.5
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3
Internet Links
www.thewhitecountess.com

Special Features
Special features include commentary with James Ivory and Natasha Richardson, an 11-miinute behind-the-scenes featurette, a 13-minute making-of featurette, a 13-minute Tribute to Ismail Merchant, and previews.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 11718
(MPAA Rating): PG13
(Rating Reason):

Some violent images and thematic content
(Retail Price): $26.96
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 135
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2005
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 05/16/06
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): James Ivory
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Todd Jackson (Fiennes) is a disillusioned blind American living in Shanghai in the 1930's. While hanging out in a bar one night, he makes the acquaintance of Sofia Belinskya (Richardson), a lovely Russian woman who has been forced to work illicit jobs in order to feed her family. After winning it big at the horse races, Todd decides to fulfill a dream of his and open up a bar

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.82:1 DVD picture is a bit dim, but warm color saturation sets the tone for this period story. While fleshtones are nicely balanced, blacks are a bit weak. Images are generally sharp and detailed, with noticeable pin striping on jackets and details on Victorian chairs nicely delineated. Some scenes appear smeared or softly focused at times. While pixelization is noticed occasionally, there are no obtrusive edge halos.(Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby