Out of Africa (1985) (2016 Reissue)   Starring: Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Klaus Maria Brandauer Distributor: Fabulous Films Ltd / Fremantle Media Enterprises RRP: £14.99 FHED3491 Certificate: PG Release Date: 04 April 2016

Set during The Great War, Out of Africa is a 1985 American epic romantic drama directed and produced by Sydney Pollack, starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. The film won 7 Academy Awards and is based loosely on the autobiographical book Out of Africa, written by Isak Dinesen (the pseudonym of Danish author Karen Blixen), which was published in 1937...

It's been a long time since I've seen this movie and I was glad to see that it has aged quite gracefully. The movie's cinematography is one of its most impressive aspects, as are both the costumes and set designs. The landscape is beautifully captured on film, making the story of Karen Blixen life all the more captivating.

I've been a fan of John Barry's score since the movie came out and still listen to it from time to time. Even though it sounds like any one of his Bond scores from the '80s, it's still a beautiful feast for the senses.

The print doesn't appear to have been spruced up in any way and the menus make this appear to be a repacked release. The extras include an audio commentary by the director (Pollack sadly died in 2008); Text based Production Notes and Cast and Filmmakers and Theatrical Trailer (1 min, 32 sec).

The only question here is why buy this over the earlier editions that you can now pick up for a few pounds?

8

Darren Rea