The Movie
How sophisticated have movies based on graphic novels become? So much so that most people don't even realize that the brilliant drama they're watching was created as a comic book. Such is the case with Road to Perdition, a dark tale of betrayal and revenge in the world of organized crime.
In the winter of 1931, with Illinois suffering the effects of The Great Depression like the rest of America, Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) manages to keep food on his table working as a loyal enforcer for the local mob boss. But when a rogue family member crosses Sullivan, he must take his son on a long, dangerous journey of revenge. But is he a bad man on a downward spiral, or a devoted father risking everything for his kin?
Max Allan Collins' original illustrated novel, with art by Richard Piers Rayner, provides remarkably rich subject matter. This in turn was inspired by the Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima's 1970 manga Lone Wolf and Cub: It's a beautiful, timeless story cast in shades of gray morality.
The Picture
Director Sam Mendes' enthusiasm for Blu-ray is mostly well-founded based on what I've seen of this new 2.4:1 master. There is an exquisite level of detail, with the bold use of focus especially well-maintained in some very challenging, visually complex scenes. Conrad Hall won the Academy Award for the cinematography of Perdition, which is distinctively, memorably lit and shot. There is some grain, some noise, some visible compression, and the blacks could be a little more lifelike, but the shortcomings are tolerable and overall this disc is a welcome step up from DVD.
The Sound
The film received Oscar nomications for Sound, and Sound Editing, achievements which might not be obvious at first listen. The movie is surprisingly quiet, almost demanding at least a slight bump up above your usual volume setting, and then when a machine gun barks to life we understand the master plan. Jolts aplenty await in this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, in addition to rear-channel usage both bold (a passing El train) and subtle (modest fill in crowded rooms), with a strong sense of off-camera action as well. Directionality and resonance are striking and credible, too.
The Extras
Mendes' audio commentary is now supplemented by a new one-minute on-camera introduction to his film, in high-def, wherein he gushes about the new transfer and how it makes the most of Conrad Hall's work. Hall is also celebrated in the career-spanning 2009 program "A Cinematic Life: The Art & Influence of Conrad Hall" (37 minutes, HD). "The Library: A Further Exploration of the World of Road to Perdition" is an interactive multimedia tour of the real-world history of the era, the graphic novel, the movie adaptation and more, presented in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. This is really special and worth the time it takes to explore it all.
In standard definition are eleven deleted scenes running 22 minutes total, with optional director commentary. Included is Anthony LaPaglia's lost performance as Al Capone, completely dropped from the final film. Also here is a more cursory "Making of Road to Perdition" from the film's original release in 2002 (25 minutes).
Final Thoughts
Road to Perdition is a powerful, well-crafted story, particularly for fathers/sons. The Academy-honored picture and sound have been significantly upgraded for Blu-ray, and the elaborate bonus material goes beyond most discs I've seen this year. Just don't tell anyone that's it's based on a comic book, because "serious" filmgoers might overlook it, and that would be a crime.
Product Details
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