The Bottom Line
Pros
- One of the best movies of 2003
- Extraordinary assortment of DVD bonus features
- Everything you could possibly want to know about the making of "Cold Mountain" is on this DVD
Cons
- None worth noting
Description
- "Climbing Cold Mountain"-Documentary taking viewers from adapting the book up to the film's premiere
- 11 Deleted Scenes
- "Words and Music of 'Cold Mountain'"-90 minute special concert
- "A Journey to 'Cold Mountain'"-Behind-the-scenes look featuring cast interviews
- "Sacred Harp History"
- Storyboard comparisons of three scenes
- Optional commentary by writer/director Anthony Minghella and editor Walter Murch
- DVD Release Date: June 29, 2004
Guide Review - "Cold Mountain" DVD Review
Adapted from the award-winning novel by Charles Frazier, "Cold Mountain" follows the journey of Inman (Jude Law), a young man who is wounded in the Civil War and wants only to return home to Cold Mountain and the beautiful woman he left behind. Nicole Kidman plays Ada, the object of Inman's love. Ada has her own hardships and struggles to endure as a tragic loss sends her ordered life plummeting into despair. Barely getting by on her own, Ada's rescued from her bleak existence by a handy drifter, Ruby (Renee Zellweger), who quickly puts Ada's farm - and life - back on track.Full of love and loss, "Cold Mountain" is a tragic tale set in the waning days of America's Civil War. Writer/director Anthony Minghella went to extreme lengths to get the setting right and to make sure he remained as true as possible to the tone of Frazier's novel. Stellar performances from the entire cast help "Cold Mountain" bring fictionalized events from America's past to life.
Loaded with bonus features, "Cold Mountain's" 2-Disc set includes some of the most detailed behind-the-scenes footage around. Where most 'Making Of'-type featurettes show only the actual process of shooting the film, Minghella's gone a step further with his featurette, walking audiences from the very start of production up through test screenings with audiences. Though at times a bit slow, the "Climbing Cold Mountain" documentary is well worth the 70 minute investment of time.
