STARZ/ANCHOR BAY has released the sorely overlooked "MIRAL," on blu-ray. Freida Pinto plays "Miral," a major character in Julian Schnabel's latest film.  While she is the title character, there are several equally important characters in the film.

Starting in 1947, Hind Husseini, a caring woman, who upon meeting up with children who've survived a massacre, builds the "HIND HUSSEINI SCHOOL." Struggling to keep the school in existence, she is aided by the good nature of a sheik, an imam and even the help of the American military. Her struggles are all the more profound and moving because she won't take money from the PLO. Husseini's fervent plea for the importance of education over arms to her student, alone, makes "MIRAL" a film that should really be seen.

Nadia is another important character. After leaving the horrors of abuse by her stepfather, Nadia seeks comfort through alcohol and survives through belly dancing. Unfortunately, upon getting in a fight with a Jewish girl, Nadia is given a jail sentence, whereupon she meets a real terrorist, Fatima. Fatima was wrongly persecuted by Israelis, due to allowing injured Lebanese soldiers, hurt in the six-day-war, to escape from the hospital she worked at as head nurse. Having been fired from that job, it's easy to understand why that made her easy for terrorists to recruit.

Fatima's brother is the same Imam who helped fund the Husseini school. When he visits his sister, he falls in love with Nadia and they marry after her release. Their daughter is named "Miral." Miral ends up being educated at the Husseini school. During the first intifada, Miral is helping tutor children in a refugee camp. While viewing the rebellion from the streets of Jerusalem, Miral is saved from danger by a handsome radical named Hani. The most compelling part of the film unfolds as Miral must deal with the burden of choosing the right direction, amongst many, to take, while being influenced by the inspiring focus on education over fighting for youths by Husseini, her religious father, and the persuasive call to arms by her lover, all at the same time.

"MIRAL" is a great film for many reasons. Those who've accused the film for being anti-Israeli or anti-semitic, couldn't have seen the film, or more likely, simply are bigots. Stating facts means stating facts. "MIRAL" shows the impact of decent Israelis and Jews as much as it shows that of non-decent ones. "MIRAL" doesn't pull punches, but it's a really fair, moving and important film at the same time! It shouldn't be missed.

STARZ/ANCHOR BAY has provided the correct 2.40:1 aspect ratio for this AVC-MPEG 4 encoded 1080p blu-ray.  Schnabel enjoys using various film styles throughout, brining about scenes that are inherently different in composure and quality. The warm and cool color landscapes are convincing and impressive in virtually every scene, regardless of time or setting. Det ail is also impressive throughout, although more-so in close-up shots. The image is rarely flat and contrast, with deep but not inky blacks, retains remarkable depth in dark scenes.

STARZ/ANCHOR BAY has provided a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. More aggressive than we'd expected, however consistently natural. Discrete and panning effects are cleverly utilized to add impact at just the right moment. LFE effects are utilized flawlessly. Dialogue is always intelligible, however, due to the various dialects of different actors, subtitles were used during select scenes that had to be replayed for best understanding.

A commentary with Schnabel and a producer offers some worthwhile insight into the production, but it's not nearly as intriguing as Schnabel could've offered! His interview on "60 MINUTES" was more engaging and entertaining! It's a disappointment.

Deleted scenes are not offered in HD and add nothing of note to the film.

A featurette, in standard resolution is worthwhile.

The best extra is the half-hour Q&A with Schnabel, presented in standard resolution.