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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Black Book (Zwartboek)
Genre: Foreign

Reviewed In Issue 125 (Nov 2007) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Carice Van Houten, Sebastian Koch, Thom Hoffman, Halina Reijn, Waldemar Kobus, Derek De Lint, Christian Berkel, Dolf De Vries, Peter Blok & Michiel Huisman

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4.5
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3.5
Internet Links
www.blackbookfilm.com

Special Features
Special features include commentary with Director Paul Verhoeven, the 25-minute Making Of Black Book featurette, previews, and up-front ads.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 18495
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

For some strong violence, graphic nudity and language
(Retail Price): $29.95
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 146
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2006
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 09/25/07
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Paul Verhoeven
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Rachel Rosenthal (Van Houten) is a Jewish woman who lived in Holland during World War II. When her family was killed during a Nazi raid, Rachel escaped and joined the Dutch Resistance. Willing to do whatever had to be done to help her cause, Rachel began an affair with German Captain Ludwig Muntze (Koch), where she found herself caught up in a tangled web of espionage. Black Book was inspired by true events. (Tricia Spears)

DVD Picture:
While colors look unnaturally bold and vibrant, the anamorphically enhanced 2.37:1 DVD can look quite good with believable dimensionality brought on by its deep blacks and impressive shadow delineation. While many hues, such as deep blues and reds, can look too deeply saturated, greens generally look natural, and fleshtones have a natural tone. Details can be delivered well at times, but often the imagery can look flat and under-defined. Pixilation can be a problem, but edge enhancement is not overly noticeable. (Danny Richelieu)

Soundtrack:
The Dutch-language Dolby