Stars:
Bjork, Bryndis Petra Bragdottir, Gudrin S. Gisladottir, Vladimar Orn
Flygenring, and Geirl Aug Sunna Pormar
Writers:
Nietzchka Keene
Director:
Nietzchka Keene
Feature
length: 78 minutes
Extras:
Director Interview, Deleted Scenes With Optional Director’s Commentary, Slide
Show Of Publicity Photos
Languages:
English Stereo
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 12
Sound:
Stereo Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1990/DVD Release: 2002
Home
Video Distributor: Rhino Home Video
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Writer,
Editor, and Director Nietzchka Keene received a grant to film this near feature
length film adaptation based loosely on the Grimm short story. Starring Bjork in
her feature film debut, “The Juniper Tree” is a bleak film shot in black and
white about two sisters who having escaped the death of their mother, who was
burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft, arrive at a farm and use magic to
gain a husband.
Presented
in the (1.33:1) aspect ratio of the film’s original presentation, Rhino Home
Video’s DVD edition is quite clear. The black and white photography keeps the
film’s somber mood constant throughout. “The Juniper Tree” was filmed on
location in Iceland. The English Stereo Soundtrack has some faint hissing, but
it is not obstructive and is not a problem in the transfer, but rather the
source materials available.
There
is a 15-minute videotaped interview with Writer, Editor, and Director Nietzchka
Keene, who discusses her motivation for making the film as well as her reasoning
behind some off the differences between the film and the story that inspired it.
Nietzchka Keene also provides an optional commentary track for a reel of deleted
scenes that runs approximately 3-minutes and there is also a slide show of
publicity photos with a run time of about 3-minutes.
The
menus are fully animated including full motion scene selections and all are easy
to navigate. “The Juniper Tree” will debut on DVD-Video from Rhino Home
Video on Tuesday, April 23, 2002.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.