This Blu-ray is currently available from Radiance Films. There will be 2000 copies available of this Limited Edition.
If you appreciate classic Italian cinema, you’ll no doubt be familiar with Vittorio De Sica. Bicycle Thieves (1948) aka The Bicycle Thief is a neorealist masterpiece showcasing the hard and demanding life of a father and son in Rome. Things get even worse for the pair when the father’s bike is stolen, leaving him with no way to make an income. It featured a moviemaking style that felt like a documentary as the camera followed the panicked dad considering his next move. Similarly shot and edited films followed for several years before the trend died down.
Bandits of Orgosolo is another brilliant film fashioned in this very format. It is a fictional narrative made by Vittorio De Seta, who was known as a documentarian prior to this work. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t have as much of a cultural impact as the other title during its initial release. However, as the years have passed, more and more critics have discovered his catalog. In 2005, a few years before his death, this and other titles from the director were deemed classics by critics.
Radiance Films is now delivering a wonderful “Limited Edition” Blu-ray that presents the amazing story with its gorgeous photography for all of the world to see. It’s a disc that will please anyone who admires gritty dramas and/or international cinema.
The story is set on the island of Sardinia, located in the Mediterranean Sea. Michele (Michele Cossu) is a poor but kind shepherd struggling to make ends meet. When bandits arrive and murder a local policeman, the lead and locals are shocked by the crime. Sadly, Michele is wrongly accused of the murder. He flees into the rough highland terrain and does whatever he can to avoid capture. As the manhunt continues, the innocent protagonist undergoes a slow change, becoming more desperate and eventually resorting to similar methods as the bandits in order to survive.
Much like Bicycle Thieves, this is a powerful and stirring effort that grabs the viewer and doesn’t let go. In fact, it’s even darker than the previous movie, ending on a grim note as the character is officially transformed into something akin to a bandit himself. De Seta was a documentarian and has no issue creating a world that feels authentic. The cast is largely made up of locals and non-actors, yet they are every bit as capable and perhaps even more convincing as it would have been with a screen star in the lead. There a young boy featured in the tale who is totally convincing and doesn’t deliver a single false note. It also contains incredible black and white photography that captures the gorgeous but harsh and mountainous landscapes of the island. Stunning images shot in these hills linger in the brain long after the credits roll.
This is truly a great neorealist picture that effectively updates the many themes and ideas present in other neorealist titles. The image on this Blu-ray is stellar. Restored in 4K in Italy last year, the picture is incredibly clean and vibrant. It certainly looks filmic, but there is a sharpness and depth on display that is likely more impressive than it looked during its original run. The movie looked incredible when the Blu-ray was played and upgraded on my 4K player.
Of course, the disc also contains informative bonuses. There is an engaging interview with a film historian about how remarkable this picture is and how long it took for audiences to catch up with it. He gives biographical information about the director, his documentary work and the similarities between his pictures and those of Vittorio De Sica. It’s an informative discussion that really helps viewers understand the movie-maker and his approach to telling a story.
Additionally, there is a nice and lengthy interview with the film’s cinematographer. Obviously, the way the picture looks is a huge part of why it is so successful, and this individual talks about working with De Seta and how they composed the images. He gives away details as to whether or not he shot it documentary style or added lights to create the realistic but beautiful appearance.
The disc also contains a trailer for the movie.
I’ve always loved the work of Vittorio De Sica, but frankly was unaware of Vittorio De Seta or his incredible features. Many thanks should go to Radiance Films from this phenomenal Blu-ray that will introduce a cinematic legend to new audiences around the world. The film is exceptional, the picture is excellent and the extras are informative. It would be wise to pick up this “Limited Edition” before it sells out.