Ammonite

"Ammonite" is set in 1800's England. Acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter Mary Anning (Winslet) works alone on the rugged Southern coastline. With the days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists to support herself and her ailing mother. When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte Murchison (Ronan), she cannot afford to turn his offer down. Proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, Mary initially clashes with her unwelcome guest, but despite the distance between their social class and personalities, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 05:43).

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally using the Red Monstro camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture exhibits a natural but generally bluish gloomy appearance with an occasional bright exterior. Interior lighting is by candlelight or natural daylight, which casts a warm hue over faces and hands. Fleshtones appear realistic. Contrast is often clamped due to candle-lit lighting. Shadow delineation is good and revealing. Clothing tends to be on the darker side. Black levels are natural as well. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited in textures of structures, interiors, and the rugged rock-lined coastline. This is a very natural period piece that is cinematic throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is intentionally on the quiet side and filled with atmospherics, especially the sound of the sea waves pounding the rocky shoreline. There is no real music score except for sparse violin and cello, a concert of a viola mid-story and an out-of-tune piano, and the sound of a string quartet and tuned piano with strings at the end. Foley sound effects are precise, even when Mary and Charlotte walk on the smooth rocks of the coastline. Along with a rainstorm, everything sounds perfectly realistic. Dialogue sounds forward and often is wanting in spatial integration. Surround envelopment fills the soundfield with atmospheric sounds. Gary Reber)