Pulp Fiction Blu-ray review
Distributor: Pro-motion - Poland
For a film of this status, Tarantino's classic “Pulp Fiction” has so far received a chequered history when it comes to Blu-ray releases. Currently overlooked in the UK/US territories, the film has seen high definition versions in many European countries and even Australia, before even being scheduled for release in its own country of origin.
To pick the best release from the choices available, requires a little research beforehand.
Apparently, the French Blu-ray has the usual issues involving burned in subtitles, while the Australian disc is presented in 1080i. This leaves a choice of discs from Poland, Holland, Denmark and even Hong Kong and it is the Polish (region free) release which is reviewed here.
Loading the disc you will first discover a menu with 4 options, Start, Language selection, Chapters and Extras. Select start and the film begins with English soundtrack selected and Polish subtitles automatically turned on. This is easily taken care of by hitting the subtitle button repeatedly, however there are quite a number of alternative choices until you finally get to the option you want: Subtitle Off.
Transfer quality across the Polish, Dutch and Danish releases is said to be about even. Presented with a 1080p 2.35:1 wide screen transfer, the film looks altogether excellent. Black levels appear deep and well defined with colours being strong and vibrant throughout. With no print damage to complain about, this Blu-ray release of Pulp Fiction is easily the best the film has ever looked. If you are used to seeing the film on DVD you will certainly find much improvement here with the new HD transfer making the DVD look almost “Medieval” by comparison. Another point worth noting, is that this Polish release has not been encumbered by the dreaded DNR treatment, giving further reason to consider this Blu-ray, over the option of waiting for a domestic release which may eventually house such issues. This is one transfer where DNR could do real harm, so all things considered, selecting this version appears for the moment to be a worth while gamble.
Audio quality is impressive throughout the film, with a choice of English DTS-HD and Dolby Digital tracks in addition to a Polish language option. The English DTS track provides crisp dialogue and is free from distortion, however the film was never one to really put your home theatre system to the test. Saying that, the films musical numbers produce a powerful performance which really demonstrates a vast improvement in the Blu-ray audio above the DVD release.
Selecting “extras” on the main menu, provides a number of film trailers, however as far as any specific features relating to the movie itself are concerned, it appears as though Jules and Vincent have paid a visit and cleaned them all out as there are none to be found anywhere on this release. While ultimately a shame, this is not altogether unexpected and disappointing as it may be, missing out on previously seen interviews and out take footage shouldn't really be the end of the world.
All things considered, if you are a fan of the film and you don't want to wait for an eventual UK/US Blu-ray, you could do far worse than investing in this release which can be imported reasonably cost effectively from on-line retailers. The Blu-ray transfer and audio quality murders the previous DVD release in any comparison test, making this an essential purchase for film collectors.
Pulp Fiction is arguably Tarantino's finest movie to date. Seeing Samuel L Jackson and John Travolta's now legendary double act in high definition simply transports the viewer all the way back to the first time they experienced the film.
A true classic of it's time and so deserving of the quality presentation in this release.
NOW, YOU'VE GOT A CORPSE IN A CAR MINUS A HEAD IN A GARAGE. TAKE ME TO IT
-Winston Wolf
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