BLU-RAY REVIEW

Christmas Story, A

Featured In Issue 117, February 2007

Picture	1.5
Sound	NR
WSR Score	5

Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.

(Studio/Distributor):

Warner Home Video

(Catalog Number):

79580

(MPAA Rating):

PG

(Rating Reason):

(Retail Price):

$28.99

(Disc Type):

Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)

(Widescreen Edition):

Yes

(Full Screen Edition):

No

(Running Time In Minutes):

93

(Color Type):

Color

(Chaptered/Scene Access):

Yes

(Closed Captioned):

Yes

(Regional Coding):

Not Indicated

(Theatrical Year):

1983

(Theatrical Release):

Yes

(Direct-To-Video Release):

No

(Disc Release Date):

12/05/06

(THX® Digitally Mastered):

No

(Director):

Bob Clark

(Screenplay/Written By):

(Story):

(Music):

(Director Of Photography):

(Production Designer):

(Visual Effects):

(Costume Designer):

(Editor):

(Supervising Sound Editors):

(Re-Recording Mixers):

(Executive Producers):

(Co-Producers):

(Producers):

(Academy Awards):

Subscribe Now!

(Principal Photography):

(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):

(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):

(Disc Soundtrack):

Dolby Digital+ 1.0

(Theatrical Sound):

(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):

(DTS Bit Rate):

(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):

(Additional Languages):

(French Language):

(Spanish Language):

(Chinese Language):

(Subtitles):

(Cantonese Language):

(Mandarin Language):

(Japanese Language):

(Italian Language):

(German Language):

(Portuguese Language):

"A Christmas Story" is based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by humorist Jean Shepherd. It is a whimsical and slightly twisted tribute to the traditional all-American Christmas. Set in Indiana during the 1940s, the film follows the adventures of nine-year-old Ralphie Parker (Billingsley) as he pursues his happiness in the form of a genuine Red Ryder Two Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle. (Gary Reber)

Most of the special features can be found on the DVD reviewed in Issue 79 (audio commentary by Actor Peter Billingsley and Director Bob Clark, a semi-hidden script of a deleted scene, the theatrical trailer, a 19-minute interview-laden (with the director and the kids in the movie) "Another Christmas Story," a fun five-minute history on the "Daisy Red Ryder," and a humorous five-minute look at the making-of the leg lamp.) There is also a Leg Lamp spot.

Both the 1.78:1 Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD image is often shrouded by a hazy glow and details are often too soft. Colors are desaturated, and blacks are more a milky gray. Differences between the two versions are not recognizable. (Danny Richelieu)

The Blu-ray Disc's Dolby� Digital "1.0-channel" mono soundtrack is actually 1.1 channels, with the LFE channel receiving a very, very low-level copy of the center channel up to around 500 Hz. Fidelity is limited, and distortion is noticeable. The HD DVD's Dolby Digital Plus 1.0-channel encoding is properly produced, but is also slightly more revealing of the soundtrack's many anomalies. (Danny Richelieu)

Reason #32 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

I read Widescreen Review as a way to dream. I think about the day I make it in life and how I will own only top of the line products featured in your magazine. I think about the parties and social functions at my house and how the centerpiece will be my entertainment system. Though at my current economic standing, it will take me years to be able to afford all the products I want without getting into credit debt, I still see no harm in reading about what will be mine.
Cameron David Martinez

26864 Mandelieu Drive, Murrieta, CA 92562 • Phone: 951 676 4914 • Fax: 951 693 2960
Copyright © Information • All Rights Reserved • www.widescreenreview.com • Web Site Established In 1995 • Privacy Policy • Partners