BLU-RAY REVIEW

Outside The Law

Featured In Issue 159, September 2011

Picture4.5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Tartan Video
(Catalog Number):
PTT-BD0060
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Violence
(Retail Price):
$27.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
139
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2010
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
08/02/11
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Rachid Bouchareb
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

Outside The Law is the story of three brothers who fight for Algeria's independence from France after World War II. After losing their family home in Algeria, the brothers are scattered across the globe. Messaoud (Zem) joins the French army fighting in Indochina; Abdelkader (Bouajila) becomes a leader of the Algerian independence movement; Said (Debbouze) moves to Paris to make his fortune in the shady clubs and boxing halls of Pigalle. Gradually, their interconnecting destinies reunite them in the French capital, where freedom is a battle to be fought and won. Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award® nominee. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a making-of featurette (SD 19:41) and the trailer.

The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture is very cinematic, with a stunning natural presence. Colors are subdued and a fine sepia washes over the imagery, for a dramatic stylish effect. Contrast is good, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent and reveals fine details, especially during close-ups of facial features, clothing, and object textures. This is wonderful picture experience that is sure to please. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack with the French dialogue is the preferred experience. The sound presentation is excellent and, at times, delivers expansive holosonic® soundfield envelopment in which the various elements really work well together. The music score is dynamic and nicely recorded, with a wide and deep soundstage presence that aggressively develops the surrounds. Sound effects and atmospherics are well presented as well. Dialogue sounds perfectly natural, with convincing spatial integration. The .1 LFE channel is, at times, effectively energized, particularly in explosion sequences. This is a very natural, non-exaggerated, sonic experience that works well to support the dramatic storytelling. (Gary Reber)