WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Where Angels Fear To Tread
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 05 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Judy Davis, Helen Mirren, Rupert Graves, Helena Bonham-Carter.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4
Sound Rating: 4
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID2361LI
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 112
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1992
(LD Release Date): 09/01/93
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Charles Sturridge
(Screenplay/Written By): Tim Sullivan, Derek Granger & Charles Sturridge
(Story): NA
(Music): Rachel Portman
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Simon Holland
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Peter Coulson
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Jeffrey Taylor & Kent Walwin
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Derek Granger

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Where Angels Fear To Tread is based on the novel by E.M. Forster (A Room With A View, Howards End). It is a romantic story set in late 19th century Europe about a middle-aged, wealthy English widow, Lila (Helen Mirren) who escapes her confined life and overbearing, nagging in-laws to travel through provincial Italy. Lila soon writes her in-laws to inform them that she is engaged to Gino Garella (Giovanni Guidelli), a local Italian pretty boy, poor and half her age. Outraged and shocked, Lilas in-laws react with ignorance and misunderstanding, but when Lila suddenly dies during childbirth, the family is forced to re-evaluate their position. The story cascades into a humorous yet tragic fight to adopt Lilas baby boy.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture quality is rather film-like but softly focused. It is as if the filmmakers used a haze effect to enhance the period’s atmosphere. Otherwise the color balance is consistent throughout and flesh tones appear completely natural.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is very good with a consistent supportive surround ambience the effectively complements the mood.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: