A Thousand Acres (1997) - Blu-ray Forum

Dustin Putman · 08-29-2018, 04:15 PM

A Thousand Acres, released on August 28, 2018, by Kino Lorber.

From back cover of Blu-ray:

"King Lear set on a farm in Iowa! Screen legends Jessica Lange (Country) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Married to the Mob) join Jennifer Jason Leigh (Rush) and the great Jason Robards (A Thousand Clowns) in this widely acclaimed motion picture about silence and betrayal… rivalry and revenge. When an aging father retires, he passes the thriving family farm on to his three daughters. But this generous gift ignites an explosive series of events that threaten to tear the family apart. Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker, How to Make an American Quilt) directed this powerful story of shocking secrets and hidden desires. Also starring Colin Firth (Hope Springs), Keith Carradine (The Tie That Binds), Kevin Anderson (Sleeping with the Enemy), Pat Hingle (Hang ‘Em High), Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea), Elisabeth Moss (TV’s The Handmaid’s Tale) and John Carroll Lynch (Fargo)."

Special features include:
Audio Commentary with Director Jocelyn Moorhouse
Theatrical Trailer

Tybo28 · 08-30-2018, 08:48 PM

This is such a mediocre movie and the edit is dreadful. Ive always liked it for the acting, though. I wish a longer, real cut of the film would be released. It is so obvious watching it that only half the story made it to the screen.

Dustin Putman · 09-01-2018, 12:58 AM

I saw Jocelyn Moorhouse’s A Thousand Acres in theaters in 1997 when I was all of fifteen years old and hadn’t lived nearly long enough. At the time, I remember thinking it was overly melodramatic and episodic. Now, revisiting it twenty-one years later as an adult, it strikes me as almost blisteringly truthful, a series of poignant, miserable, yet somehow life-affirming familial snapshots, messy and unfinished and unfair in the way real life usually is. What I had forgotten was just how extraordinary the performances of Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer are. I could marinate in their characters for eternity. This is a film screaming for rediscovery and a reassessment, and now is the time to do it with the new Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn this high-def transfer is derived from an old master, but it’s still head and shoulders about the archaic DVD.

Michael555 · 09-03-2018, 06:20 PM

I read the book a few months ago and then watched the movie, and yes, it isn't completely faithful to the novel, but I still really enjoyed it. I had an opportunity to read a draft of the script (it seemed close to the finished product) and from what I've read, I'd venture to guess at least a half hour or so was cut. I wished they would've released those scenes with this blu-ray. Maybe Jocelyn Moorhouse's commentary might provide some explanation as to why that footage hasn't been released, assuming it still exists.

LanaD · 10-30-2018, 02:23 AM

love this film ! i'm lucky enough to have worked with Jocelyn Moorhouse in the past, everyone should check out The Dressmaker my fav of hers !

marblearch · 04-03-2021, 04:43 PM

One thing you learn is to make up your own mind. I avoided watching this for years due to every negative review. It's so much better than they would have you believe but i do think it would actually benefit from a longer running time. The acting is top notch from a quality cast. Site reviewer is a little harsh on the PQ too but tends to happen if the movie is disliked.

08-29-2018, 04:15 PM	#1
Dustin Putman Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Location:VA 4K collection:2023 Blu-ray collection:13086 DVD collection:3	A Thousand Acres (1997) A Thousand Acres, released on August 28, 2018, by Kino Lorber. From back cover of Blu-ray: "King Lear set on a farm in Iowa! Screen legends Jessica Lange (Country) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Married to the Mob) join Jennifer Jason Leigh (Rush) and the great Jason Robards (A Thousand Clowns) in this widely acclaimed motion picture about silence and betrayal… rivalry and revenge. When an aging father retires, he passes the thriving family farm on to his three daughters. But this generous gift ignites an explosive series of events that threaten to tear the family apart. Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker, How to Make an American Quilt) directed this powerful story of shocking secrets and hidden desires. Also starring Colin Firth (Hope Springs), Keith Carradine (The Tie That Binds), Kevin Anderson (Sleeping with the Enemy), Pat Hingle (Hang ‘Em High), Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea), Elisabeth Moss (TV’s The Handmaid’s Tale) and John Carroll Lynch (Fargo)." Special features include: Audio Commentary with Director Jocelyn Moorhouse Theatrical Trailer

09-03-2018, 06:20 PM	#4
Michael555 Junior Member Member since:Jun 2012	I read the book a few months ago and then watched the movie, and yes, it isn't completely faithful to the novel, but I still really enjoyed it. I had an opportunity to read a draft of the script (it seemed close to the finished product) and from what I've read, I'd venture to guess at least a half hour or so was cut. I wished they would've released those scenes with this blu-ray. Maybe Jocelyn Moorhouse's commentary might provide some explanation as to why that footage hasn't been released, assuming it still exists. Last edited by Michael555; 09-03-2018 at 10:43 PM.

08-30-2018, 08:48 PM	#2
Tybo28 Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2012 Location:Williamsport, Pennsylvania 4K collection:45 Blu-ray collection:1175 DVD collection:1	This is such a mediocre movie and the edit is dreadful. Ive always liked it for the acting, though. I wish a longer, real cut of the film would be released. It is so obvious watching it that only half the story made it to the screen.

09-01-2018, 12:58 AM	#3
Dustin Putman Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Location:VA 4K collection:2023 Blu-ray collection:13086 DVD collection:3	I saw Jocelyn Moorhouse’s *A Thousand Acres* in theaters in 1997 when I was all of fifteen years old and hadn’t lived nearly long enough. At the time, I remember thinking it was overly melodramatic and episodic. Now, revisiting it twenty-one years later as an adult, it strikes me as almost blisteringly truthful, a series of poignant, miserable, yet somehow life-affirming familial snapshots, messy and unfinished and unfair in the way real life usually is. What I had forgotten was just how extraordinary the performances of Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer are. I could marinate in their characters for eternity. This is a film screaming for rediscovery and a reassessment, and now is the time to do it with the new Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn this high-def transfer is derived from an old master, but it’s still head and shoulders about the archaic DVD.

10-30-2018, 02:23 AM	#5
LanaD Member Member since:Apr 2016 Location:Hyrule Castle, Australia Blu-ray collection:1	love this film ! i'm lucky enough to have worked with Jocelyn Moorhouse in the past, everyone should check out The Dressmaker my fav of hers !

04-03-2021, 04:43 PM	#6
marblearch Senior Member Member since:Jul 2010 Blu-ray reviews:35	One thing you learn is to make up your own mind. I avoided watching this for years due to every negative review. It's so much better than they would have you believe but i do think it would actually benefit from a longer running time. The acting is top notch from a quality cast. Site reviewer is a little harsh on the PQ too but tends to happen if the movie is disliked.

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