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| Special Features: |
Commentary by director Jacques Perrin
Theatrical trailer(s)
Making-of documentary
"Creating the Music" featurette
Photo gallery with filmmaker commentary
In-depth filmmaker interviews
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| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
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| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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From the theatrical release by Scott Mantz
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:5
In Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, "meek" is
defined as 1) being pliant or gentle, 2) patient and mild; not inclined to
anger or resentment, or 3) being too submissive.
For better or worse, all of those definitions apply to the meek that inherit
the emotionally gripping "Winged Migration," director Jacques Perrin's
majestic follow-up to his magnificent 1996 documentary "Microcosmos" (which
he produced). Where that film explored the wonderful world of insects that
live in our own backyard, Perrin takes to the skies for an even more
ambitious and exhilarating project that looks at the awesome journey that
birds must take in their never-ending fight for survival.
Over the course of 4 years, 5 teams of more than 450 people followed a
variety of species along their migration patterns through 40 countries
spanning each of the 7 continents. By using cutting-edge technology,
including planes, gliders, helicopters and balloons, the filmmakers were
able to get a (dare I say it) bird's-eye view of their travels by flying
alongside, above, below, in front of and behind their subjects. The results
will surely make your jaw drop, as the cameras are often so close to the
birds that you can actually hear the flapping of their wings.
The film's captivating beauty is incredible to behold, whether the birds are
flying against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the late World
Trade Center in New York, the Great Wall of China, the jungles of Africa or
the deserts of Monument Valley. To put their journey into a broader
perspective, some species may fly only 600 miles, while others fly more than
10,000, only to have to turn around and do it all over again. Whatever the
case, Perrin makes it clear that these world-spanning journeys are essential
to their survival, even if they have to endure searing heat, brutal
blizzards or extended flights over hundreds of miles of water.
Yet, as gentle, as patient, and as mild as the meek can be, their
submissiveness can also be their undoing. Despite their uncanny ability to
fly in formation and know exactly where they are going, the birds are often
at the mercy of various predators, game hunters and industrial pollution.
In a film that already runs a gamut of emotions, there is nothing more
disturbing than seeing one of the helpless birds get trapped in the sewage
of a gloomy factory, while others are plucked out of the sky by the sounds
of popping shotguns.
It is worth noting that of all the birds that fly in flocks to their various
destinations, only one is depicted as more of a loner--the Bald Eagle. At a
time when America is more-or-less going it alone in an international
conflict, there is something rather foreboding and ominous about seeing the
bold, weathered and haggard symbol of the American people flying over the
rough desert terrain as its struggles to survive.
While the touching, funny and devastating "Winged Migration" is just as
informative and entertaining as it is breathtaking and beautiful, Perrin
wisely chooses to keep his dialogue sparse and let the fantastic imagery
speak for itself. As it is, there is nothing more fantastic than embracing
the "personality" of each species while marveling at their stamina, lust for
life and will to survive (especially in one poignant scene, where a caged
parrot frees itself and soars back into the wild blue yonder).
To that extent, I guess the meek aren't too submissive after all.
-Scott Mantz
Though the film itself is a beautiful experience of the world of the birds, I was a little disappointed in the DVD offerring by Columbia, though
much of it is not their fault, including a lackluster commentary track by director Jacque Perrin and a less than spectacular
Making-Of feature. Still, Columbia/Tristar's DVD edition offers exceptional image and sound quality, so for those nature lovers out there with a kickin' home theater setup,
this DVD's for you.
Picture Quality: 9/10
"Winged Migration" is presented by Columbia/Tristar in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.
There are a few edge enhancement issues throughout the presentation, but overall the film's stunning imagery looks breathtakingly vivid.
Sharpness and detail are excellent and the picture never appears soft. Colors are natural and well-rendered.
Black level looked solid, as well.
Sound Quality: 8/10
"Winged Migration" is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. And though there's not a whole lot of activity outside of the film's score and bird sounds, the occasions
when there is extra activity are quite impressive. The rumble of an avalanche, or an industrial park sound quite powerful.
The wide front soundstage captures the birds clearly and distinctly and all of the bird "dialogue" is very cleanly recorded.
Easter Eggs:
None found.
Extra Features: 7/10
The commentary from director Jacques Perrin is pretty tough to sit through in its entirety, particularly given his heavy, heavy (did I say heavy?)
French accent. Though Perrin shares some background information on the birds and locations, he spends about half his time discussing the freedom of being a bird.
It's quite a slow commentary track, though it includes some occasional insights on the technical challenges that the production faced.
Making of "Winged Migration" is a 52-minute documentary that follows the crew of eventually more than 500 people across the globe as they try to capture
birds in flight. It took six teams on six continents over four years to raise, nurture and then film the migration of these birds, and this documentary goes into some
detail about not only the process for shooting the film (they used remote controlled and small prototype planes and gliders) but also how they raised birds to follow the filmmakers
and their dangerously frail aircrafts.
The documentary first follows the crew in the early days of the production, as they attempt to hand-raise birds, care for them and train them.
Given the fact that nothing quite like this has ever been attempted in filmmaking, the crew also has to design prototype flying machines that will accomidate their
equipment - and the nerves of the pilot and cinematographer are apparent as the machines undergo their first tests.
The documentary bounces across the globe as we follow different teams capturing different birds. It's a plodding but informative documentary.
There are also 24 minutes of crew interviews, a 17-minute documentary on the film's score, and trailers for "Winged Migration" and "Cirque De Soleil: Varekai."
A photo gallery with audio commentary from the director has also been included.
The Final Word:
Though the film itself is a beautiful experience in the world of the birds, "Winged Migration" is definitely not for everyone. Even at a brisk 89 minutes, the film, which
contains minimal dialogue throughout, feels like it's prodding a little. I was a little disappointed in the DVD offerring by Columbia, though
much of it is not their fault, including a lackluster commentary track by director Jacque Perrin and a less than spectacular
Making-Of feature. Still, Columbia/Tristar's DVD edition offers exceptional image and sound quality, so for those nature lovers out there with a kickin' home theater setup,
this DVD's for you.
Stephen Wong
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thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to Hurricane 2005 Relief, the Red
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