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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Copperhead

    Featured In Issue 187, June 2014

    Picture4.5
    Sound4
    WSR Score4.5
    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):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    3000056953
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    An unsettling sequence
    (Retail Price):
    $19.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    120
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2013
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    04/15/14
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Ron Maxwell
    (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):
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    Based on the novel by Harold Frederic, Copperhead was inspired by actual events that took place in upstate New York, circa 1862. Dairy farmer Abner Beech (Campbell) despises slavery—but just as passionately opposes the war that President Lincoln is waging, all in the name of "union" hundreds of miles away. Abner is neither a Yankee nor a Rebel. He is what is known as a "Copperhead." A local anti-slavery zealot named Hagadorn (Macfadyen) stirs up the town against him, with pamphlets and rumors that prompt shopkeepers to boycott Abner's dairy products, and next by coaxing the community to shun his family. Worse, Abner's son falls in love with Hagadorn's daughter—marching off to war to please her, but goes missing in action. Hagadorn's wild-eyed rhetoric ignites a torch-bearing mob, placing all that both men love in mortal danger. This is Director Ron Maxwell's third Civil War drama, following Gettysburg and Gods And Generals. (Gary Reber)

    There are no special features.

    The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture is beautifully photographed and framed using the Alexa digital camera system. The imagery exhibits an overall soft focus, with close-ups finely resolved, with detail evident in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. The color palette is slightly muted, though, blacks are deep and shadow delineation is revealing, even in candlelit scenes. Hues are expressive of natural green foliage and brownish earth tones. Fleshtones are naturally rendered. This is a pleasing presentation throughout and perfectly captures the period. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is richly produced with a beautiful, quiet orchestral/piano score that spans the soundstage and subtly extends to the surrounds. Atmospherics and sound effects are effectively complementary and add to the realism of the story's period. Dialogue is the focus throughout, with good spatial integration at times, though, at other times forward sounding and disintegrated. This is a quiet but engaging soundtrack, with a lush music score and natural low-frequency support. (Gary Reber)

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