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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Smilla’s Sense Of Snow
    Genre:Thriller

    Reviewed In Issue 26 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Julia Ormond, Gabriel Byrne, Richard Harris, Robert Loggia, Jim Broadbent, Mario Adorf, Jorgen Vogel & Vanessa Redgrave

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 4.5
    Sound Rating: 4.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 0418085
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $49.95
    (Running Time In Minutes): 121
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1997
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Bille August
    (Screenplay/Written By):
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    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.32:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Digital
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
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    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Based on the international bestselling novel by Peter Høeg, Smilla’s Sense Of Snow is a mysterious, “poetic and lyrical thriller” about a dangerous secret, a shattering crime and one woman who must use her senses to unlock the truth. Julia Ormond stars as the reclusive glaciologist Smilla Jaspersen, who takes an investigation into her own hands when her 6 year-old neighbor is found dead after falling from his apartment building’s roof. She notices from the child’s tracks in the snow, that he was not playing, but was obviously chased to his death—and she’s determined to find out why.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, framed at 2.32:1, exhibits natural colors and fleshtones with color fidelity that effectively gives the film a cold feel. Images are sharp and detailed with excellent shadow detail. Slight noise and artifacts are apparent throughout.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack is excellent with a terrific ambiance presence throughout. Accentuated with deep and powerful bass, the music score is well recorded and images wide across the soundstage. Dynamics are terrific and natural sounding. Dialogue presents generally good ADR spatial integration.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
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    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
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