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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Mrs. Brown
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 29 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Antony Sher, Geoffrey Palmer, Richard Pasco & David Westhead

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 2.5
    Sound Rating: 3.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Miramax Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 13525 AS
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 105
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1997
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): John Madden
    (Screenplay/Written By): Jeremy Brock
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Stephen Warbeck
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Martin Childs
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Robin Sales
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Douglas Rae, Andrea Calderwood, Rebecca Eaton, Nigel Warren-Green
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Sarah Curtis

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.88:1

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

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    A fascinating, yet true, story of forbidden love and scandal, Her Majesty Mrs. Brown tells the tale of the extraordinary friendship between Queen Victoria (Judi Dench)—the world’s most powerful woman—and John Brown (Billy Connolly), a Scottish stableman. Defying convention, politics and the rigid rules of royal life, Queen Victoria’s liaison with a humble servant served to shock the nation, while nearly toppling the British monarchy.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The opening close-up scene of Judi Dench is beautiful, with fully saturated colors and impressive sharpness. But, sadly, as the film progresses, colors lack definition and clarity. Images are generally sharp, but lack detail. Shadow detail and contrast are mediocre. Some interior scenes appear plugged up, oversaturated and wanting in definition, but exteriors fare slightly better. Noise and artifacts are apparent. The picture is matted at 1.88:1.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The Dolby® Surround soundtrack is nicely produced and employs a natural sound design that uses natural settings and room tone. Dialogue sounds completely natural with excellent spatial integration. The music score, however, sounds veiled in fidelity, though soundstage imaging is effective.
    (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: