Though blacks are deep and solid, shadow detail is sub-par. Shots in the dark forest and in the castles suffer in particular. Colors look quite good. They are muted and dull, but this is how the film was intended to look - to have a dull, grungy palette to evoke the days of old. We noted a bit of color smearing in some of the better lit scenes - for example, greens in the forest as light penetrates from above.
Flesh tones look good in general, but on occasion there s an overload of orange or red hue.
Despite the abundant browns, blacks, and greys, and the numerous sequences shrouded in smoke, mist, of fog, the picture is very solid. We only noted a bit of grain in three or four shots. Brightness and contrast levels are consistent, though the combination allows for a number of scene to appear a bit too dark. The elements use to make the master have some noticeable nics, scars, and scratches, however nothing too distracting. Again, these problems were all typical of Criterion s laser disc.