The White Reindeer (1952)

[bigshot]

Screened this last night. Very unique film. I've never seen anything quite like it. The cinematography was spectacular and the editing was sophisticated, even though there were some bumpy pans and frames with the flicker as the camera was getting up to speed were left in. Amazing shots of herds of reindeer being herded. The supernatural elements were fascinating. The lead actress looked a bit like Barbara Steele and moved like Bela Lugosi.

This one is worth picking up if you like horror movies that feel like fairy tales.

[ravenus]

Yeah, I was struck by her Barbara Steele resemblance too, when I saw the film and talked about it in the main Eureka thread:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...9#post16299959

Even in the horror fairy tale realm, The White Reindeer is not the most coherently told story, but damn if this doesn't have some haunting Bergman-meets-Bava-class imagery, a lead actress with a strong Barbara Steele vibe and intriguing look at arctic hunter-herder tribe life. Eureka's disc has very good image quality, even though there are some soft shots and contrast sometimes looks like it could have been adjusted better.

Among the extras I just heard the audio essay, which was okay, somewhat dry. Looking forward to the Kat Ellinger commentary and the included short film.

[Takeshi666]

My interest in this film is pretty much entirely because it's a Finnish genre film, which in itself is a rarity

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by bigshot

Screened this last night. Very unique film. I've never seen anything quite like it. The cinematography was spectacular and the editing was sophisticated...

This one is worth picking up if you like horror movies that feel like fairy tales.

I loved November for the same reasons

[SMOOT]

Is this Blu-ray region locked?

Any news of a USA release

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

Is this Blu-ray region locked?

Yes, Region B locked.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

Is this Blu-ray region locked?

Any news of a USA release

It is, though it’s a beautiful edition. I think many Eureka titles like this one are worth going region free for, but there’s always a chance KINO (or another label) may pick this up for a Fall/Winter release. Just my speculation, as a title like this would probably sell better closer to Christmas.

[Dailyan]

The Eureka release will work with the "top menu" trick on any North American player.

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

I loved November for the same reasons

Agreed. November and The White Reindeer are my favourite BDs of the year

[Telstar]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

Agreed. November and The White Reindeer are my favourite BDs of the year

Fingers crossed for a nice sale on WR later this month

[derek_1999]

Just received a copy of this, purchased via Best Media Group on Amazon.

It didn't come with a slip... I'd presumed it was still going to shop with one, as I figured it was too niche to sell out.

Anyone else had a copy recently?

[chocolat]

Yep ordered from Amazon Global UK through Amazon US. Showed up uesterday and no slip. I ordered a copy of Eureka's Cure however at the same time third party through Amazon US and that still had a slip

[derek_1999]

Has this thread been edited? I'm sure someone posted a link to an official archival 2K (might even have been 4K) version.

In terms of slip, I contacted Best Media (Eureka via Amazon) and initially (pre Xmas) they thought slips were still available. But, after checking, they said that they're now all slipless and they mentioned they'd get Amazon to append the listing.

[TheStuntMan]

Originally Posted by derek_1999

Has this thread been edited? I'm sure someone posted a link to an official archival 2K (might even have been 4K) version.

In terms of slip, I contacted Best Media (Eureka via Amazon) and initially (pre Xmas) they thought slips were still available. But, after checking, they said that they're now all slipless and they mentioned they'd get Amazon to append the listing.

Well, you can watch The White Reindeer for free and legally at ELONET.fi (https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_107867)

The site is run by KAVI (National Audiovisual Institute of Finland) which owns The White Reindeer and around 450 Finnish feature films. Recently they started putting them up on Elonet for free viewing. Most of the films are available at 4K resolution and all at least at 1080 p.

Some are subtitled in English, for example The White Reindeer is and so is The Winter War (1989).

[derek_1999]

Originally Posted by TheStuntMan

Well, you can watch The White Reindeer for free and legally at ELONET.fi (https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_107867)

The site is run by KAVI (National Audiovisual Institute of Finland) which owns The White Reindeer and around 450 Finnish feature films. Recently they started putting them up on Elonet for free viewing. Most of the films are available at 4K resolution and all at least at 1080 p.

Some are subtitled in English, for example The White Reindeer is and so is The Winter War (1989).

The Elonet link was the one I was referring to (but couldn't find)

I have the Eureka copy anyway - it was just the fact that this was linked and then wasn't.
.
The movie is Geo blocked for the UK - I've not looked at other titles, so it might be specific movies or the whole library.

Thanks for the link!

[TheStuntMan]

Originally Posted by derek_1999

The movie is Geo blocked for the UK - I've not looked at other titles, so it might be specific movies or the whole libaray.

You mean The White Reindeer at Elonet is blocked for UK? It's possible, because of that Eureka BD deal they made. But I'm pretty sure others are available, except perhaps France where TWR was recently released on Blu-ray as well.

There are a few other old Finnish horror/horror-esque titles as well:

Curses of the Witch (1927, completely silent copy due to copyright issues, but with English subs): https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_117395

Meren kasvojen edessä (1926, with music but without English subs at the moment): https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_117387

The Green Chamber of Linnais (1945, without English subs at the moment): https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_116776

[derek_1999]

Originally Posted by TheStuntMan

You mean The White Reindeer at Elonet is blocked for UK? It's possible, because of that Eureka BD deal they made. But I'm pretty sure others are available, except perhaps France where TWR was recently released on Blu-ray as well.

There are a few other old Finnish horror/horror-esque titles as well:

Curses of the Witch (1927, completely silent copy due to copyright issues, but with English subs): https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_117395

Meren kasvojen edessä (1926, with music but without English subs at the moment): https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_117387

The Green Chamber of Linnais (1945, without English subs at the moment): https://elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi....elokuva_116776

I checked out Sampo, and that played fine, so I'd guess the Geoblocking will be on various titles that have had international releases (in that specific territory).

[TheStuntMan]

Originally Posted by derek_1999

I checked out Sampo, and that played fine, so I'd guess the Geoblocking will be on various titles that have had international releases (in that specific territory).

Did you watch the scope or Academy version? Both are available. It was shot simultaneously in both formats, 2.35:1 and 1.37:1. Actually four times: Russian actors speaking Russian in 2.35:1 and 1.37:1, then the same actors trying to speak Finnish (basicly trying to get the mouth movements somewhat right for the dubbing) in 2.35:1 and 1.37:1.

It was a Soviet-Finnish co-production, with eventually very little Finnish input. Soviets were making their own version of Kalevala and didn't care that it didn't have much to do with the source material.

[derek_1999]

Originally Posted by TheStuntMan

Did you watch the scope or Academy version? Both are available. It was shot simultaneously in both formats, 2.35:1 and 1.37:1. Actually four times: Russian actors speaking Russian in 2.35:1 and 1.37:1, then the same actors trying to speak Finnish (basicly trying to get the mouth movements somewhat right for the dubbing) in 2.35:1 and 1.37:1.

It was a Soviet-Finnish co-production, with eventually very little Finnish input. Soviets were making their own version of Kalevala and didn't care that it didn't have much to do with the source material.

The scope version... but just skipped through a few minutes (earlier today after reading your post). I;ll be watching in full at the weekend

I thought it had more of a Russian feel... now I'll probably have to watch both (and do some more research!).

Thanks for the info - very interesting

[TheStuntMan]

Originally Posted by derek_1999

The scope version... but just skipped through a few minutes (earlier today after reading your post). I;ll be watching in full at the weekend

I thought it had more of a Russian feel... now I'll probably have to watch both (and do some more research!).

Thanks for the info - very interesting

By the way, plenty of comparison shots (screen caps) of the two different versions at https://www.elokuvauutiset.fi/site/a...vat-toisistaan