The Immortal is a thrilling standalone feature that further explores the characters from the hit crime series Gomorrah. It’s 1980. A devastating earthquake sends buildings crashing down. Yet from underneath the rubble, the cry of a newborn baby emerges. It is none other than Ciro di Marzio (Marco D’Amore). From that day on, he will be known as “The Immortal”. What they say is true: no one and nothing can kill the Immortal. From his past as an orphan to his present-day Baltic exile, from his first petty thefts to all-out gang warfare: Ciro confronts head-on whatever comes his way, in a world in which immortality is just another form of damnation.

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[youtube https://youtu.be/LdTzEUEuG24?t=1267]

Video Quality

The Immortal arrives on Blu-Ray in a tremendous 1080p transfer which proves to be even more dazzling than the rich visuals you experience on Gomorrah. This feature really impresses thanks to its decision to shoot on location in some of the most gorgeous locations in the world while oscillating between the present and the past. Every setting looks deeply impressive in high definition with subtle nuances in every frame. Distinct textures define the production design and costumes for a very immersive experience. The landscapes captured in certain environments also give the disc a chance to shine in the detail department. Skin tones look natural with facial details easily observed in close up, and there are no digital anomalies to speak of to these eyes. The presentation does not suffer from compression and black levels remain rock solid. The color palette is bold and vivid with brilliant moments of stunning hues that pop off the screen. You could not ask for better from Kino Lorber.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray set comes with both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 track that handle this material impeccably. The tracks are presented in both the original Italian and dubbed English with optional English subtitles. As with the series, the film features some notable sequences of brutality that pack a punch when it is necessary to the narrative. There is some unforgettable ambient activity in the mix as we follow these characters on dual timelines. Certain moments are especially kinetic in the surround channels with sounds emanating from the appropriate directions. The track does a good job of making sure neither sound effects nor the score ever overpowers dialogue. Also, when things get more active, there is some low end response that will be appreciated by audio enthusiasts. The film has a haunting score that brings an atmosphere that permeates the room. The dialogue mostly stays anchored in the center channel and is reproduced clearly. This track never falters at any point.

Special Features

Trailers: There are trailers provided for The Immortal and Season 2, Season 3, Season 4 and Season 5 of Gomorrah.

Final Thoughts

The Immortal is a film that stands as an essential viewing for established fans of Gomorrah, but more notably it holds its own when it comes to those who may consider themselves novices in this journey. While there are certainly layers you will appreciate more with the right context, there is a world where someone jumps into this piece of the saga and feels satiated by the intricate layering of crime, corruption and family dynamics. The performances are as strong as they have ever been, and the care put into bringing this story to a bigger screen is never in doubt. Kino Lorber has released a Blu-Ray set that offers a stellar A/V presentation but almost nothing in the way of special features. If you love the mothership series or just want an impeccably crafted crime drama, you will have a great time here. Highly Recommended

The Immortal is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.