WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Princess Caraboo
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 13 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Jim Broadbent, Phoebe Cates, Wendy Hughes, Kevin Kline, John Lithgow, Stephen Rea.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4.5
Sound Rating: 4
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 73506
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $$34.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 96
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1994
(LD Release Date): 3/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Michael Austin
(Screenplay/Written By): Michael Austin & John Wells
(Story): NA
(Music): Richard Hartley
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Michael Howells
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Geprge Alers
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Armyan Bernstein, Tom Rosenberg & Marc Abraham
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Andrew Karsch & Simon Bosanquet

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

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

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Princess Caraboo is based on the true story of a mysterious non-English speaking young woman who is arrested in 1817 England and rescued by Mrs. Worrall (Wendy Hughes), a sympathetic woman who believes her to be of royal breeding. When the exotic looking, regal bearing woman (Phoebe Cates) arrives in Bristol the aristocratic Worrall family present her as an East Indian princess having been abducted by slave traders. High society comes to call, as do various doubters. The local newspaperman (Stephen Rea) and the academic (John Lithgow), put her to the test but are themselves bowled over by her charm.

LaserDisc Picture:
The softly filtered and atmospheric styled picture is matted at 1.66:1. Fleshtones are slightly pale but the picture is overall naturally warm in appearance. Images are sharp and detailed with some minor artifacts. There is no distracting noise or grain to otherwise mar the presentation.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
A wonderful music score provides a nice subtle surround envelopment. The dialogue is dimensional and well recorded for a fine soundtrack that is pleasing.
(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: