Himalaya [Blu-ray]

The picture quality is amazing and when one considers this was all filmed in very cold, windy and snowy conditions at extreme high altitude up on the border between Nepal and Tibet it is even more amazing. The crew did an astonishing job. The natural ability of the local people who had no training at all is also remarkable. This Blu-ray is a huge improvement over the DVD although it must be noted it is A locked so not suitable for Europe or Australia unless one has an Oppo or similar. My only regret is that the most interesting commentary is a mixture of heavy French accented English and American English set against a quite loud main Tibetan audio in the background and as this commentary is not subtitled it is extremely difficult to hear and follow. This is a shame. It might have been better to have burnt in the Tibetan soundtrack as 99% of viewers will want it anyway, and to then used the optional subtitle track for the commentary. The making-of feature is also most interesting but is just ported over from the DVD and is very poor quality technically and far below the main film and has no subtitles when "English" is spoken.

Not a movie critic by any means.....don't even know the proper lingo. Won't attempt an "in depth" review. All I can say is, "I thoroughly enjoy this film". It was all great: the life, the photography, the story and the culture depicted was wonderful! I didn't have to sit through any contrived attempts at mind control or political correct social biases and subtle messaging with 2/3's sexual content. The story was as simple and rich as life in the Himalaya! Salt of the Earth isn't just NaCl! Great entertainment, IMO. I actually feel enriched by watching this film! Unusual these days!

This is a decent if predictable story, simple and not particularly subtle or engaging. The cinematography is nice; not as spectacular as it could have been, considering the photogenic location, but pretty. My big complaint is with the white-on-light subtitles. They are difficult and often impossible to read. I find being unable to understand the dialogue greatly detracts from my enjoyment of any film. The format is also super-wide angle; viewed on my wide-screen monitor as a ribbon across the center with deep black borders at top and bottom. This makes the subtitles (as well as the action) smaller and even that more difficult to see. I'd cut off the sides if I could figure out how, but don't think my monitor permits that. All in all, rather disappointing, especially considering all the 5 star reviews.

The scenery in this movie is spectacular, the cinematography is excellent. The movie introduces a civilization known to only a relatively few people. It reveals a way of life that is fascinating. The movie has tension and suspense and conflict as well as lovliness. Anyone who appreciates beautiful and interesting films...and doesn't mind subtitles...will love it. I forgot that I was reading subtitles within the first five minutes!

A very intriguing story of succession struggles in a Nepalese tribe set high in the Himalayas with spectacular scenery and an incredible journey with a herd of yaks.

This is a movie that isn't a typical Hollywood movie. No car chases, no bombs, or shootouts. We have a fairly static country town in a Tibetian/Nepalise area. A conflict between the older, wiser folks and the younger, more vigorous guys. There is a basic disagreement that splits the town. A movie that will captivate you if you let it. Did I mention gorgeous photography of the himalayas that is worth the price of admission?

The film is perfection. A rare gem of a non-western cultural-based story that has univeral appeal. Those of you who've suffered with the horrid DVD version can take comfort with this blu-ray release which has reference-quality picture and sound. The image is utterly film-like... detailed and rich without overzealous processing/DNR and no obvious electronic manipulation (like edge ringing). Just gorgeous. The lossless audio is full bodied with lots of natural "space" and acoustic cues. A lovely film for the senses as well as the mind and heart. Enjoy.

This dvd was a beautiful experience--shot in Tibet in the Himalayas and I just shook my head in wonder.

After watch this movie, stay and watch the "making of". If you consider where it was done, with who it was done and how it was done, then it becomes nothing less than an amazing experience. I discovered that movie something like 20 years ago. At that time, it came in VHS. I fell instantly in love with it and mostly for one single reason. The actors, the music, the picture, everything in it made me believe it was real. Then, I lost the movie and it disappeared from the market. Few weeks ago, I ordered my Blu-ray copy which is coming with a bonus : the "making of". Watching it gives so much more reality about the movie and it also made me understand my feeling about it when I watched it for the very first time, years ago. I truly recommend it, not only for the movie, but for "making of" as well. For me, it was entertaining.

Loved it

Ce film que j'ai revu avec grand plaisir après l'avoir visionné au cinéma (en 1999) n'a pas pris une ride. Il peut être regardé avec des enfants qui y prendront également un très grand plaisir, à partir de 5 ans! La musique tibétaine se marie à merveille avec les images d'une pureté incroyable. La lumière est soignée, Eric Valli a relevé l'incroyable défi de faire jouer des amateurs, qui s'en sortent très bien, même si Tinlé (le vieux) raconte dans le making of qu'il récitait la nuit ses dialogues, car il avait un mal fou à les mémoriser. Le récit est intrigant, haletant, un très bel hommage aux habitants du Dolpo, vivant dans l'Himalaya à des sommets compris entre 4000 et 8000 mètres d'altitude. Une culture menacée aujourd'hui par la superpuissance chinoise! Ces gens nous apprennent la persévérance, la force et le courage de ne jamais renoncer, malgré l'adversité. C'est à ce prix que la vie devient passionnante. Le moine dira à Tinlé qu'un ermite lui a enseigné ceci: "Quand deux chemins se présentent à toi, prends le plus difficile." C'est ce qu'il va faire dans ce très beau récit initiatique. Dans "transmettre le cinéma", on peut lire cette analyse que je trouve très juste sur le film: "Au fond, Eric Valli, répond très exactement au désir formulé par un des premiers critiques de l’histoire du cinéma, resté anonyme, qui signait en 1895 dans le journal “La Poste”, après une des premières séances de cinéma : “Lorsque ces appareils [les caméras] seront livrés au public, lorsque tous pourront photographier les êtres qui leur sont chers, non plus dans leur forme immobile, mais dans leur mouvement, dans leur action, dans leurs gestes familiers, avec la parole au bout des lèvres, la mort cessera d’être absolue.“ Ce n’est plus l’émotion esthétique qui sert de fil conducteur à l’acte créatif, mais la constitution d’une mémoire, à l’image de ce qui se développe, en petit, dans nos vidéos familiales. Si Valli s’inscrit dans une histoire du cinéma, c’est bien celle dont le fantasme est de faire reculer la mort des “êtres chers“."

Blu-ray works just fine. Come with DVD as well. Just as good as the first time I saw this film at the theater. Thank you Amazon

The photographer worked a gem in an uncomfortable environment, you nearly feel your’e there.