Heaven & Earth (1993)
Blu-Ray Company Release: Twilight Time
Starring: Hiep Thi Le, Tommy Lee Jones, Joan Chen, Haing S.
Ngor
Plot: Born in a small, peaceful village in French Colonial
Vietnam, Le Ly (Hiep Thi Le), like her country, is thrown into chaos inflicted
equally by the Viet Cong, the South Vietnamese government, and invading
American forces. Brutalized in every imaginable way, this young woman looks for
rescue to an American soldier (Tommy Lee Jones), only to find more trouble in
store when she comes to America as his bride.
My Review and Thoughts
Film: (4/5)
I have always felt this was an underrated Oliver Stone film.
I remember seeing it in the theater when it came out and fell in love with it.
I was very happy that Twilight Time Blu-ray decided to choose it for one of its
special edition release of 3 thousand copies. Finally this powerful drama has
an outlet of perfection on this amazing Blu-ray. This is given the treatment it
deserves just like all the films Twilight Time chooses to release.
This is considered a part of Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War
trilogy of films. Stone always has away with telling gritty stories and also
giving the story he is detailing a voice. Heaven and Earth showcased a
wonderful drama mixed with haunting images and also an understanding of life. Stone
adapted this from two books When Heaven and Earth Changed Places and also Child
of War, Woman of Peace which both where written by Le Yy Hayslip. These books
are based on her true story during this unforgettable and horrible war.
Like I have said I never understood the negative reviews for
the film. I never understood why the movie seemed to bomb. It has an
extraordinary story, acting and a music soundtrack that is mind numbing. The
soundtrack won Best Original Score at the 1993 Golden Globe Awards and it
deserved it. This beautiful Blu-ray expresses the beauty, haunting drama
induced music by composer Kitaro. Kitaro is a music god. His stunning expertise
in the logic, beauty and exploration of sound through the heart strings of soul
inducing artistry that shines still inside the viewer long after it’s over. It
specifically shines in Heaven & Earth. Kitaro’s work is a masterpiece of
historical music. That is what is so passionate about Twilight Time Blu-ray is
the special features for their products, which is the isolated scores to the
films they bring out. Sadly and heartbreaking is this is not one of the special
features to this release. You do get an Alternate Opening with his score as a
special feature which is great and worthy to buy the disc just for that, but
sadly I felt hollow without the special feature that I am always looking
forward to on these discs. Don't let that stop you from buying this amazing
product because it deserves to be owned on any movie lover’s shelf.
The lack of isolated score does not take away from the
mastery of this special edition. Twilight Time has given the beauty to the film
that it deserves. Plus you the alternative opening with Kitaro's score which is a plus.
Now what makes this film passionate and thought provoking
and truly original is that Stone took the inside Horrors of War in Platoon and
then took the horrors of the after math of war in Born on the 4th of July, but
in Heaven & Earth he lets the viewer experience the idea of this horrible
painful and disturbing war through the eyes of a Vietnamese woman. To me this
film is an honest portrait of family and the reality of one’s home and how the
roots of life flow through the earth to tell ones story. Stone took an amazing
story and told the world through his visionary talent and the word play of Le
Ly Hayslip that there are many sides to the dynamics of war and those affected
by war.
Why is this a landmark film, because it feels as if it's a
natural setting? The believable reality and the logical emotional ordeal of the
other side of war. This is a different view of the Vietnam setting and it
explores not only the underlining purpose of the movie, (the effects of War)
but the very foundations of those directly involved with the horrors around
them. Its one thing for you and I, or at least those who have never been to war
or dealt with war to sit by and not get it or understand it or feel the
emotional bond that these involved with war experience. I, living in America,
which for the most part has never been attacked full scale. We have had or lone
terrorist and an attack on Pearl Harbor but in reality we have never truly
experienced war on our own land. This film lets you experience a woman and her
surroundings and her ultimate uprooting. She then is rooted, into a new place,
different and shocking.
The outstanding cast of performers is also what makes this
stand out. This is one of Tommy Lee Jones best performances. He shines in the
art of acting. He lets you experience his emotional reality to his character.
He gives a sense of hardness, of love, of darkness. His character is given
ultimate life through his performance. I really enjoyed and felt and became
enthralled with Hiep Thi Le as your main character. She gives you a reality
based setting of her plight. She allows you to experience everything her
character experiences. Both Jones and Le come together to craft chemistry and
understanding of their roles and personas.
Stone gives you a personal side of the human aspects of war.
He gives you the eye view and visceral experience of the emotional makeup of
heart and soul of those involved.
A brilliant film that deserves accolades. Twilight Time did
this film justice. They allowed the beauty and brilliance of this film to be
showcased and experienced in a whole new way through the craftsmanship of hard
work in bringing this to a Special Edition Blu-ray.
Audio/Video: (5/5)
The best I have ever seen it. A lot better than it was on
the theater. It’s vibrant and very crisp in image and the sound is stunning.
Twilight Time aced it yet again with the beauty they give to the art form of
cinema through there amazing skills and love for protecting and bringing out
top quality products of importance.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 2.35:1
AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
1993 / Color
142 MINUTES
Extras: (4/5)
Wonderful special features. Loved the alternate opening and
the deleted scenes. Amazing commentary by Oliver Stone. The winner of this
special features is the Alternate Opening. Another wonderful special feature is
always the insert booklet by Julia Kirgo. I always look forward to these
booklets. So informative and passionate in expressing the films Twilight Time
brings out.
Audio Commentary with Director Oliver Stone / Deleted Scenes
with Optional Director Commentary/ Alternate Opening with Score from Kitaro /
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall: (4/5)
Loved it. Experienced it in a whole new fashion of the art
form of Blu-ray. Beautiful and vibrant like it’s never been seen. Twilight Time
did another great job and gave another great movie watching experience that I
expect from them.
INFO:
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