Search - The Red Violin [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 12/14/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 12 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 23 Genres: Drama, Romantic Drama, Period Film, Musical Drama See Also: The Red Violin, The Red Violin [Meridian Collection]

Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681, to keep the spirit of his wife alive, an Italian paints the violin with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies, the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966, it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada, it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert (Samuel L. Jackson) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar. Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal, China, Italy, Austria, and Oxford. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Samuel L. Jackson - Charles Morritz
Don McKellar - Evan Williams
Carlo Cecchi - Nicolo Bussotti
Irene Grazioli - Anna Bussotti
Jean-Luc Bideau - Georges Poussin

The Red Violin stunned many moviegoers and probably bored an equal number. On DVD, the movie looks gorgeous in an 1.85:1 widescreen presentation, providing fine color saturation and superb contrast. The Dolby Digital Sound is the real winner here, as Joshua Bell's virtuoso violin playing sounds pristine, immediate, and stunning. When necessary, onscreen subtitles are easy to read, as the white text is shadowed black for extra contrast against the movie. The bonus features are fairly standard, providing adequate background information, but nothing more. "Soundtrack Presentation" is simply a 30-second sample of the film score played over images of the CD case, the symphony, and Bell. "Production Notes" extends through ten screens of fairly hyperbolic background information, detailing past and present collaborations between director/writer François Girard and actor/writer Don McKellar. "Cast and Filmmakers" presents brief biographies and filmographies for Girard and actors Samuel L. Jackson, Greta Scacchi, Colm Feore, and Sylvia Chang. Why McKellar wasn't included in this section is somewhat of a mystery. The "Chapter List" gives instant access to the DVD's 18 chapters through still frames and chapter titles. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide