Out of Africa - Collector's Edition [DVD]

Out of Africa on 4K Ultra HD delivers one of cinema’s most romantic and visually stunning experiences in absolutely pristine quality. The landscapes of Kenya have never looked more breathtaking — every sunrise, wide vista, and intimate moment is rendered with rich detail and beautiful color that makes this edition a must‑own for fans of classic films. The performances by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford are extraordinary — heartfelt, nuanced, and deeply engaging — and the chemistry between them carries the emotional core of the story. The narrative flows effortlessly, balancing romance, personal growth, and the magnificent setting with a timeless grace. This release also treats viewers to excellent sound and picture quality that elevate every scene. Whether you’re rediscovering this classic or experiencing it for the first time, Out of Africa on 4K is an unforgettable journey — cinematic magic that lives up to its reputation.

This is the kind of film you can watch over and over again, hanging on every word because every word was deliberate, and perfectly delivered. Yet, the depth of pain for love lost and love gained is a reminder of the frailty of our love affairs, compounded by transient times in the depth of colonialism. Having spent considerable time in Kenya as a volunteer, and having adopted two children (now with children of their own) from Kenya, this film is also a start reminder of how a country rich in a history of its own was forever changed by British for whom the entire region was their playground, abandoned when it became too difficult to turn a profit at the expense of the natives. The film does not celebrate colonialism, but it does tell the story from the point of view of a colonial woman who "once owned a farm in Africa." This film is a painting in motion. And of course stars two actors who became house-hold names, in part, because of this film.

Excellent movie.

Out of Africa, (1985). ”I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.” One of the best-known, best-loved opening lines of any movie. Thus starts Sydney Pollack’s Oscar-winning epic romantic drama, beloved around the world, OUT OF AFRICA, based on the classic book by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen), of the same name that opens with the same unforgettable sentence. Also other writings of Dinesen’s, and Judith Thurman’s monumental biography of the author. Dinesen’s book and movie concern Denmark native Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) , who enters into a marriage of convenience with womanizing Swedish baron Bror Blixen. Then, hoping to make a better life, the couple, in the early twentieth century, moves to Nairobi, in the British colony of Kenya, where they establish a coffee plantation that Karen eventually must run on her own. Karen is no pushover, but her life is complicated by troubles on the plantation, World War I, her insistence on schooling the natives and her catching syphilis, then often deadly, from her husband. And then she falls passionately in love with free-spirited hunter Denys Finch Hutton, well-educated handsome son of an earl, (Robert Redford) who can't be tied down. Director Pollack is also well-known for the wise comedy TOOTSIE. His lush African period drama earned seven Academy Awards, including statues for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. I haven’t the skills – who has—to do justice to this great biography/ period drama based on classic literature, and I doubt the readers need those encomiums from me, so I will content myself with a few more sentences on the film proper. To begin with, of course, the cast is outstanding: multi-Oscar winning/nominated Meryl Streep as Karen; Pollack’s lifelong friend Robert Redford as Denys; Klaus Maria Brandauer as Bror. Also some outstanding British actors: a young Michael Kitchen, Michael Gough, Suzanna Hamilton, Rachel Kempson, Graham Crowden, Leslie Philips. Some outstanding African actors: Malick Bowens, Joseph Thiaka, Stephen Kinyanjui., Mike Bugara, Iman and Job Seda. The wonderfully evocative score by John Barry that delivers the soul of the great Continent of Africa. And, of course, Africa itself, unnamed costar of the film: Pollack at one point says “If the Garden of Eden is anywhere, it is surely here.” What I can talk about is that I went to Kenya last month to see all this for myself. Saw the Masai Mera, thousands of animals, every breed. The hippo-filled rivers that once ran sparkling clear. The mountains. Learned that Nairobi, once a dusty little railroad town, now proud capital of former British colony Kenya, has an area called Karen after Blixen, another called Muithaiga, after the club the settlers went to to play golf, drink, dance and get into trouble. I saw Blixen’s house, so evocative, much as represented on screen. With old Victrola and vinyl records. And a tiny kitchen lacking electricity and running water, in which her incomparable chef prepared a feast she served the Prince of Wales: the menu still hangs in the house. And some coffee plants. The machinery used on the farm. Saw the still in existence Muthiaga Club, though only from a distance, as it is now a pricey private golf club. Managed a daytime plane ride over the Mera, still incomparably beautiful. Then and now, the population: Masai, Kikiyu, the occasionally tall beautiful Somali – like former model Iman—all speaking Swahili. Learned a word in Swahili: dawa. Medicine. I wasn’t that well. A notable Indian colony then and now. And now, more Chinese than there ever were, which is a subject for another time. If somehow you have never seen this film, you must, particularly if you’re female. Just have a box of tissues nearby.

Many Academy award winning movies are some "Hollywood" types tossing a statue at other "Hollywood" types. Somehow this one is different. The story is happy and sad, sometimes at the same time. The setting, it was made in Africa, was great, and the music by John Barry was "Africa". The costumes, backgrounds, vehicles, even the animals - were outstanding. The actors became their rolls. Streep, Redford and Brandauer (a Bond villain by the way) became real. You may recognize many actors from their other rolls: Shane Rimmer (a Bond regular), Maryam d'Abo (a Bond Heroine - she pours champagne in the first minute or two), and Michael Gough (Batman's Alfred) to name a few. It's a movie that needs to be watched with a gin and tonic - to contain the movie's sadness and combat malaria.

First, the fifth star is withheld only because of the cut-rate DVD transfer. You would think that for a "Special Collector's Edition" they would have at least have bothered to clean up the static spots and stabilize the color palette, but I guess not. This film richly deserves to have the Criterion Collection treatment; it's that beautiful. Twenty years ago, when HBO was a novelty, I must have seen this film ten or fifteen times in one summer. I was seventeen and had just had my first (and best) taste of true love. Then life got busy, two decades went by, and I hadn't seen it since then. I almost didn't buy this DVD because of the reviewer who said that this film didn't "hold up" to the test of time. After buying it anyway and hitting "play" with the fear that I would find it very disappointing all these years later, I am happy to report that it does indeed "hold up," and that that reviewer must have been watching something else. Maybe they accidently shipped a DVD of "Gigli" in his "Out of Africa" box. I am a fervent lover of beautiful film, and quite frankly this one ranks up in the top thirty most beautiful (mainstream) films of all time. It is absolutely the most gorgeous, ravishing feast of romanticism. It is also stunning in its visual grandeur and subtle perfection - in short, "Out of Africa" is a timeless masterpiece. Now, there is no question that it does not stray far from the classic conventions of the tearjerker romance. However, sticking to the conventions is forgiveable when they are executed as masterfully as they are here. Quite frankly, if this film does not wrench the emotion out of you, you need to squeeze your wrist and check for a pulse. Meryl Streep delivers the performance of a lifetime, director Sydney Pollack really outdoes himself, Robert Redford is perfectly cast as the commitment-phobic big game hunter, and the magnificent score soars over it all like Dennis' biplane over the Serengeti. Beyond the heart-wrenching love story itself, this film is the most stupendous and incredible glimpse at everything that is worth loving and saving about Africa's unspoiled places. And in addition even to this, the film is also a look into an aesthetically magnificent time. The first decades of the 20th century were the last time in human history that people were surrounded by things that were actually real (since I don't count plastic, vinyl, formica and pressboard objects made by robots as "real.") Everywhere Karen Blixen moves in this film, she is surrounded by rich woods, rough-hewn stone, solid metals, lead crystal, glazed china and gleaming silver. Everything is hand-made by craftsmen, and because of this her surroundings are so much more visually interesting and downright beautiful than anything in our normal experience today. The aesthetic of this film offers a richness that must be seen to be believed. Every shot in her house is like a page from "Town and Country - Africa." Enjoy.

Not what I thought. More of a love story. Although I enjoyed the fact that she worked hard & included the people there. They worked very hard & were very loyal.

I saw this movie on its original theatrical release and was utterly blown away, it deserved every Oscar it won; over the years I've owned this movie in multiple formats, VHS, DVD, Bluray and now 4K. None of these formats provided the visual grandeur of the film experience until the 4K release; this transfer is absolutely spectacular! The colors are saturated, the images crystal clear and the soundtrack is perfectly mixed; this transfer truly brings the magic of the theatrical film to home theaters. Highly recommended.

Grand classique des films à voir absolument même s'il ne correspond pas tout à fait au roman. Par contre, la qualité de ce DVD est très médiocre avec une télévision 4K.

Another of Meryl Streep's brilliant performances from early in her career. The film is epic in scope and the production values are very high. If you don't want to see Africa after watching this movie, it's not the film for you. Here is a love story that features 4 leads, rather than just two. While Robert Redford is billed ABOVE Streep in the opening credits, and while their relationship is a fascinating one to watch slowly unfold over the span of the movie, it is Klaus Maria Brandaur who often mesmerizes with his charisma as the philandering, yet likeable husband. As well, the character of Streep's manservant played by African actor, Malick Bowens (sp?) is especially poignant. The screenplay is full of memorable dialogue, including an exchange between Redford and Brandaur, wherein Brandaur makes the comment to Redford (after Redford is known to have been intimate with Brandaur's wife): "You might have asked, Denis," to which Denis (Redford) replies, "I did. She said yes." A beautiful film.

La transferencia es grandiosa, lo único malo es que el 4K no viene con otros subtítulos que no sea en inglés, lo que me parece un desatino para las personas que no saben ese idioma.

Received the article in time.

A diferença do 4K para o DVD é absurda. De todos os filmes que comprei em 4K este é o melhor. Imagem e som sensacionais.