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| Special Features: |
Photo gallery
DVD ROM features
"Billy Elliot: Breaking Free" featurette
making-of featurette
production notes
cast/crew biographies
theatrical trailer
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| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
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| Captions: |
English.
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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A talented young boy growing up in a poor industrial town in England becomes torn between his unexpected love of
ballet dance and the disintegration of his family.
Read my full review here.
Universal definitely held back from giving this critically-acclaimed Golden Globe nominee the royal treatment on DVD,
but extras aside, there aren't any real complaints about the disc. An average disc for an above-average movie.
Picture Quality: 8/10
The picture quality is a bit grainy at times, though much of it can be attributed to the film itself rather than the
actual disc transfer. Still, the gritty/industrial look of the film continues to remains true on DVD.
Sound Quality: 8/10
The 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track is sharp, though the surrounds echo a bit more than other discs I've heard. Still, the
dancing sequences are resoundingly tempo driven and complement the film superbly.
Menu: 8/10
No complaints on the menu. Simple and functional.
Extra Features: 3/10
The two featurettes are forgettable, and the other extra features, cast bios and production notes, are just standard
issue for "lazy" DVDs nowadays.
The Final Word:
"Billy Elliot" is one of those films that, despite its many flaws by first-time director Stephen Daldry, is an
absolute joy to watch. Jamie Bell as young Billy Elliot is a ball of pure energy, and turns a run-of-the-mill
story into something truly endearing and funny. Definitely worth at least a rental on DVD, I promise you won't be dissappointed.
Stephen Wong
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thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to Hurricane 2005 Relief, the Red
Cross can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
