Director
Edward Zwick

Cast
Denzel Washington,
Meg Ryan,
Matt Damon,
Lou Diamond Philip

Music
James Horner

In Courage Under Fire the Military falls into this category as the result of an accidental bombing of one of it's own tanks during Operation Desert Storm.  A US Army Tank Piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) accidentally fires on another tank believed to be the enemy, but unfortunately it wasn't.  All are killed and to save face, the Military covers it up as being an attack by the enemy.  Serling is exonerated of any wrong doing but the guilt remains and as a result is slowing turning him into an alcoholic. 
Serling is now works as an Investigator of sorts for the military and is currently looking into the death of  Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan in a knockout performance and a very against type role).  She is posthumously being awarded the Medal of Honour (the first woman to receive such a medal), as she was killed in the line of duty.  But all is not what it seems as Serling uncovers a variety of stories about the events that took place during the attack in which Karen, both good and bad from some of Waldens troops, Monfriez (Lou Diamond Philips), Ilario(Matt Damon, who lost some 20 Kg for the role..and it shows) to name a few.   Walden died. 
With these conflicting Points of View, Serling goes to great lengths to try and uncover the truth behind the death of Captain Karen Emma Walden.

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??

VIDEO
In a word Superb!!!!  If only all Transfers looked as damn good as this Anamorphic Widescreen jobbie.  Really, I find it very hard to find fault with this immaculate looking picture.  It's incredibly sharp, detail is exceptionally high, colour saturation and Black Level are spot on, and just WOW.  Love it! love it! love it!!!!!!
This is also spread over two layers of an RSDL DVD and the layer change is also very well hidden.  Sure it pauses for not even a split second but it's damn easy to miss.   It's Placed within chapter 16 during a bar scene between Denzel and Scott Glenn (the change occurs at 65:25 on a Mid Shot of Denzel who happens to be sitting very still....just like the LA Conf Layer Change)..it's a good'n

AUDIO
Had it not been for several key sequences of the mix having heavy sounding Dialogue that came across as slightly muffled, this would have been reference quality all the way.   This is a cracker Dolby Digital 5.1 English only mix.  Every ounce of a digital Multichannel sound tracks capabilities is used to the full extent making this a truly amazing experience for home Theatre listening.
Bass is fast, tight and very heavy going in the battle sequences, Surround usage is almost as active as the very wide and yet accurate localisation of the front sound stage.   It's really a sheer joy to listen to ('cept for some dialogue that was hard to make out at times).

EXTRAS
Sadly the only extra on this DVD is a Theatrical Trailer, encoded in Dolby Digital 2.0 but MONO.

With a Reference Quality Picture and superb sound it does make the extra 5 bucks you're expected to fork out for this FOX DVD a little easier to justify.  Still with only having a trailer as an extra,  it's a disappointment as an overall package.  But a passionate movie indeed.  Highly Recommended for just the overall quality of the movie.

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: B&W 602
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: Jamo Magic 14
     Subby: M&K V125 

- Reviewed 10th February 2000