SRP $24.98 2.35:1(16:9) P&S DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 COLUMBIA TRISTAR
THE BODY
The opening sequence to COLUMBIA TRISTAR'S new dvd release, "THE BODY"
is excellent! Out of the pitch blackness engulfing the screen comes a small light at the top corner. Soon, the light and the person coming from it, becomes focused. It's an archeologist, Olivia Williams(The 6th Sense) and she's about to make an incredible discovery. She uncovers a
"Body" whom was crucified, within a tomb, and is quickly told by Derek Jacobi that victims of crucifixion were never entombed! That this was a practice reserved for the wealthy and that the only poor person both crucified "and" entombed was Jesus Christ. Of course, if the discovery
"was" Jesus Christ, then he couldn't have risen, and Christianity would come to a halt.

Fearing this, the church sends a former soldier/investigator to handle these archeological concerns. Antonio Banderas does a fine job here, as do Williams, and the rest of the cast.
The problem is that the great premise isn't sustained by great writing. As I watched these opening minutes, I really felt I was making a rare discovery,...that rare dvd title I'd never heard of, but would be suddenly surprised by. My early hopes were corrected soon enough! The
opening scenes are so well filmed that it's easy to have high expectations. The combination of visual and sound dynamics is outstanding! Master cinematographer, Vilmos Zsigmond, creates one stunning image after another!

 The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, while not overly aggressive, is impressive. COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the film with its proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement on one side, pan&scan on the other. Again, Zsigmond's compositions are so beautiful, it would be a crime to view them cropped! The color values are strong, with excellent detail and no oversaturation. While there is some grain, the image is generally slick. Fleshtones are natural throughout! Contrast is also impressive with deep blacks and grays, as in the stunning opening sequence
mentioned above.
As already mentioned, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix isn't abundant with effects, except in terms of music, it's still fun. The directional/surround effects are restrained a good deal, but are very effective when utilized. While the surrounds boost the film's score dramatically throughout the film, the dialogue is always intelligible and free from distortion.
Surprisingly, there's no trailer for this film, but there's one for Mask of Zorro.