All is True (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Sony Classic Pictures
Release Date: August 20, 2019
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3.5/5

Plot
The year is 1613, and Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer of the age. But disaster strikes when his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground.  Devastated, Shakespeare returns home to Stratford, where he must face a troubled past and a neglected family.

My Thoughts
Like most kids in America, I was introduced to Shakespeare during English class growing up and unlike a lot of my peers, I hated reading it. I found it a chore to get through and found that if you could say something in 10 words instead of 50, why would you waste the ink? Granted, he is considered the greatest writer of all time, so what the hell do I know.

That being said, I do appreciate the historical significance of his writings and of the man himself, even if I don’t have a love affair with his sonnets. Although actor/director Kenneth Branagh does and he’s been associated with countless Shakespeare movie productions over the years, so it’s fitting that he would both direct and star as the iconic man.
 
The film focuses on the last three years of Shakespeare’s life when he retires from writing and settles back home with his wife and daughters.  It explores demons from his past, losses in life, and setting himself at peace before his death.

The cinematography is beautiful, and I wish the film was released in 4K. Wow, some the daylight shots are mesmerizing in their multi-layered textures and colors, especially in the gardens of Shakespeare’s estate. My only gripe is some of the very low light interior scenes are a bit soft and lack the pinpoint detail of the brighter exterior shots, but fortunately, these scenes are scarce. The audio track is pedestrian and fits the dramatic nature of the film, so nothing much to write about here.


Video 4.75/5

Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Special Features:

• Q&A with Kenneth Branagh
• Eight Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
• Blu-ray+ Digital Copy

Conclusion

At some point I’ll go back and try and read a Shakespeare play, but at this point in my life I don’t have the time or the patience to do so. I really enjoyed this film and found the acting to be superb and the story captivating. Definitely check this one out.


Reference Review System:

JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Calman Ultimate & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner