Break Of Day (1977/Umbrella Entertainment/PAL Region Zero/0/Free/DVD Import)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: D
Films: C+
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD set can only be operated
on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Zero/0/Free PAL
format software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment
at the website address provided at the end of the review.
Ken
Hannam’s Break Of Day (1977) is yet
another part of the cycle of Australian costume dramas made for and by the country
to establish filmmaking there of some prestige.
These films tend to blur, but this tale of a soldier (Andrew McFarlane)
who fought in Gallipoli waiting for his wife to give birth when he gets
involved with an artist (a perfectly cast Sara Kestelman, best known in the
U.S. from Zardoz) who offers him
intimacy, another view of the world and more that leads to a hot affair.
We have
seen this story before, but this is not badly done, albeit predictable. Writer Cliff Green even wrote the screenplay
for Picnic At Hanging Rock, but this
film is never so pretentious. The film
starts to wear thin towards the end, but is a pleasant sit through and those
interested in this cycle of cinema should see it once.
The 1.33
X 1 color image is soft beyond any styling and Director of Photography Russell
Boyd offers consistent work, plus some interesting choices. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is also on the
weak side unfortunately. This film needs
some more work and should get it when a Blu-ray rolls around. There are no extras.
As noted
above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
-
Nicholas Sheffo