Tristan And Isolde (2006/DTS DVD)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: B     Film: B

 

 

The promos for Kevin Reynolds’ Tristan And Isolde claimed, “Before Romeo and Juliet there was Tristan and Isolde.”  It’s a true enough statement.  The story of these doomed lovers may possibly be the first tragic romance recorded in western culture, setting the precedent for much of the genre.  Originally a folk tale (though there is some evidence for actual historic figures), the Tristan and Isolde legend appeared in various works of literature as early as the 12th century.  Although originally a separate set of tales, it was eventually incorporated into the Arthurian legends.  There its story was overshadowed by the now better known, though it appeared much later, Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot love triangle.

 

Many elements are the same.  Tristan, the greatest knight of the realm, falls in love with Isolde, who then must marry Tristan’s uncle, King Mark in a marriage of state.  Their story is that of love over duty, whether to betray their king and the laws of the land, or to betray their hearts and the laws of love.  Of course, like Romeo and Juliet, like Lancelot and Guinevere, it ends in tragedy.

 

The film version of Tristan and Isolde captures the essence of the legend.  For those who know the story several essential elements are missing, but for the most part they are understandable omissions.  Love potions, a and a second woman also named Isolde are complications that would be difficult to depict in a film that attempts to realistically portray the Middle Ages (all references to Arthur have been excised as well).

 

In this version King Mark is portrayed as a sympathetic character.  It’s a good choice.  In many versions Mark is quite simply an unlikable bastard, which serves to give all the sympathy to Tristan and Isolde.  The love triangle has much more emotional resonance when Mark is a good man, simply not the man his wife is in love with.  The performances of the three leads, James Franco (Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man films) as Tristan, Sophia Myles as Isolde, and Rufus Sewell as Mark, convey the conflicted loyalties and acknowledge that love transcends the expectations of the world around you.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is very good for a stylized film from the past and looked good in 35mm prints as well, thanks to some fine work by Artur Reinhart.  Kevin Reynolds may have found a strong collaborator here.  As for the sound, the DTS 5.1 mix is the best, though the standard Dolby Digital 5.1 is passable.  Anne Dudley’s score is a nice complement to the narrative.  The DVD is also loaded with extras; two separate commentary tracks, image galleries, two versions of a music video, trailers, and a short Making Of feature.  Overall, this is one of the better films of the year you likely missed.

 

 

-   Wayne Wise

www.wayne-wise.com