Search - Dark Blue World on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations Movie Release: 2001 DVD Release: 05/28/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: Czech, English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 55 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Members Wishing: 10 Genres: Drama, War, War Drama, War Romance, Buddy Film

The friendship of two men is tested by war, political upheaval, and romantic rivalry in this drama from Czech filmmaker Jan Sverák, whose Kolya became an international success. Lt. Franta Slama (Ondrej Vetchý) is a top pilot in the Czech Air Force who is assigned to train a promising young flier, Karel Vojtisek (Krystof Hádek). Franta and Karel both share a great enthusiasm for the thrill of blazing across the sky, and they become fast friends; however, when Nazi Germany invades Czechoslovakia, Franta and Karel chafe under the authority of their new leaders, and they escape to England, where they join other Czech exiles in the R.A.F. While flying a mission over England, Karel crash lands and happens upon the farmhouse of Susan (Tara Fitzgerald), a young woman whose husband is in the Navy. Karel soon falls head over heels for Susan, but while they enjoy a brief fling, in time Susan decides she prefers the company of the older and more worldly Franta. As Franta and Karel struggle to maintain their friendship despite their romantic rivalry, the war finally comes to a close, and the Czechs return home. Trmavomodry Svet, released in English-speaking territories as Dark Blue World, also features Anna Massey and Charles Dance. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ondrej Vetchý - Lt. Franta Slama
Tara Fitzgerald - Susan Whitmore
Oldrich Kaiser - Machaty
Charles Dance - Wing Commander Bentley
Krystof Hádek

Drama takes to the skies in Dark Blue World. Columbia's work on this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is very good. With an abundance of bright colors and dark black levels, this transfer is nearly flawless save for a few instances of edge enhancement and artifacting. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in Czech. There are some nice moments of surround sound in this film with the back and front speakers used to full effect. All aspects of the soundtrack are free and clear of any hiss or distortion. Also included on this disc are English subtitles and captions. The extra features on =Dark Blue World are small but satisfying, including two featurettes. "The Making of Dark Blue World" is over a half-hour long and features interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and insight into how the film was created. "Making the Visual Effects" is a nearly seven-minute silent feature on how some of the visual effects were accomplished. Finally, there is a montage of scenes put to music called "Ariel Symphony," a short photo montage with stills from the film, several theatrical trailers, and a commentary track by director Jan Sverák and producer Eric Abraham, which features some historical background, stories, and viewpoints on the film. ~ Patrick Naugle, All Movie Guide