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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Unbearable Lightness Of Being, The
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 30 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche, Lena Olin, Derek De Lint, Erland Josephson, Pavel Landovsky, Donald Moffat, Daniel Olbrychski & Stellan Skarsgard

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 2
    Sound Rating: 3.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Criterion Collection
    (Catalog Number): CC1509L
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $69.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 172
    (Color Type): Color With Black & White Sequences
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1988
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Philip Kaufman
    (Screenplay/Written By): Jean-Claude Carriere & Philip Kaufman
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Pierre Guffroy
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Walter Murch
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers): Saul Zaentz

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

    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:
    Based on the novel by Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness Of Being tells the story of Tomas (Daniel Day-Lewis) a Chzech surgeon with a sexually and emotionally carefree existence, especially with the free-spirited artist, Sabina (Lena Olin), and his lovely and childlike wife, Tereza (Juliette Binoche). Audio commentary by Philip Kaufman is included.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, matted at 1.85:1, is a slightly off-centered transfer. Created from a 35mm low contrast print, the picture exhibits a soft, hazy appearance that is lacking fine detail and texture. Colors are slightly muted and wanting in natural vibrancy. Contrast and shadow delineation are deficient in clarity, depth and definition. White noise is apparent and distracting in darker interior scenes, making blacks seem somewhat bluish. Minor artifacts are also apparent for a picture that is wanting in clarity throughout.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Surround soundtrack produces an invasion scene which is effectively aggressive in impact and deep base. Other scenes are dialogue-directed with subtle stereo sound effects and surround ambience. The music score is effectively aggressive with a varied program.
    (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: