As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me: Technical Notes

How Does the DVD Look?
Even though the film was shot in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 its German and international DVD releases have all been in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. As I understand this new framing is indeed approved by the German producers. As I did not see this film in the theaters however I can not comment how successful the actual composition is. This being said this Region 3 release does indeed offer the film in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 enhanced for widescreen TV's. In fact, I have my suspicions that the print was directly sourced from the German DVD. In terms of technical presentation the only thing that bothers me here is that the R3 disc is not progressively mastered, hence, there is some mild "combing". Aside from that however everything else here is of very good to excellent quality: colors are lush and steady, contrast is great, and there is no print damage that I could spot. Occasionally there is some mild edge-enhancement especially during the Siberian scenes but nothing that will truly detract from your viewing experience. As mentioned above the biggest issue remains the fact that this is an interlaced, non-progressive transfer.

How Does the DVD Sound?
In one word: fabulous! What we have here is an active German DTS track that does this film justice, period! The rear channels are used quite intelligently and the quality of sound found on this disc is fabulous. I did not hear any disturbing pop-ups or other annoying hissing(s), etc. With optional white English and Chinese subtitles (I did notice a few minor spelling and syntax issues but they were well into what I would describe as "manageable"). Region-3 encoded, NTSC.

Extras
Unfortunately the only piece of extra on this disc is the theatrical trailer for the German release.

Final Words
A few years back I reviewed this film for another site and once again I must express my disappointment that a US release is nowhere to be seen on the horizon. So, I shall highly recommend this international disc (which remains the only way for the more adventurous amongst you to see the German film) despite of its sourcing issue as I do believe that As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me is one of the most unbelievable true stories ever told.