It’s March 2018, and over the past 17 years since its original response to the 9/11 terror attacks, the U.S. military has maintained a presence in Afghanistan. The military makes use of local interpreters, who put their own lives as risk in exchange for being eligible for Special Immigration Visas and relocation to America. Sergeant John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his small unit of soldiers specialize in finding Taliban munitions and explosive sites. After their previous interpreter is killed by a truck bomb, Kinley must select a new one for his team. The person who comes most highly recommended, but also the toughest to work with, is Ahmed (Dar Salim). He speaks 4 languages, won’t be pushed around, and has his own way of doing things. Ahmed’s son was killed by the Taliban, so he also has a bit of a vendetta going, though he hasn’t told John about this. Ahmed may not always listen to orders, but he proves time and again that he knows what he’s doing, and his actions usually prove to be right on the mark.
While investigating a potential IED factory site, Kinley and his unit come under attack. Ahmed and John narrowly escape, but John is badly wounded and cannot walk on his own. The men now find themselves deep behind enemy lines, forced to keep off the main roads, with no transportation, and an army of armed Taliban soldiers out searching for them. The U.S. Air Force base is miles away—it would be a grueling trek even for a soldier in top form. Helping John puts Ahmed and his family at great risk, but Ahmed refuses to abandon John in his hour of need, and is determined to get him back to his base, even if he has to carry him the whole way. However, this is just half the battle, and John soon finds himself in a situation where he must reciprocate the kindness that Ahmed showed him—even if it means heading back behind enemy lines with a massive target on his head.
The first thing that always comes to mind when I see the name “Guy Ritchie” is “cockney gangster movie” or “wild and crazy action movie”. While this film does have some humor—particularly as the soldiers razz one another, or the joking/sarcastic relationship that forms between Ahmed and John—it feels a lot more grounded, telling an emotional story that also has a lot of intense action. Making use of tight, handheld camera shots, the viewer is put right in the middle of the action, whether it’s the soldiers trying to escape and hide from the Taliban, or getting into brutal hand-to-hand combat in kill-or-be-killed life-and-death situations.
The pacing of the film is a bit odd, but never boring, almost feeling like three films in one—though all have their merits. The first act follows this military unit as they gain two new members and set out to find an enemy bomb-factory. In the second act it becomes a tense tale of friendship and struggle for survival. And finally it becomes one man’s quest to repay a selfless act as he embarks on a search and recue mission of his own behind enemy lines. The film has some very tense moments that keep you on the edge of your seat, as well as some excellent action/fight sequences, and moments of levity to break up the tension.
I first saw this film in the theater, and enjoyed it just as much the second time around on this Blu-ray. Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim both give really strong dramatic lead performances—y really get a sense of the caring and bond that forms between John and Ahmed over the course of the film. The supporting cast also includes many other recognizable faces, such as Jonny Lee Miller, Alexander Ludwig, and Antony Starr.
Warner Bros.’ Blu-ray release looks great and sounds amazing. The picture is clean with a solid level of detail throughout. The clarity remains even during the faster-paced action sequence. The audio track provides clear dialogue throughout and makes excellent use of the surround sound to add ambiance, and make the film feel more immersive. This is especially noticeable in scenes on the base, where the sounds of soldiers can be heard in all directions, as well as helicopters flying overhead. The track also fills the room with the film’s beautiful, and sometimes tense, score.
The Blu-ray release includes both a Blu-ray and a DVD disc, packed on either side of a standard HD keepcase, along with a cardboard slipcover and an insert with instructions on how to redeem an HD digital copy of the movie via Vudu (since this is an MGM movie, it is not Movies Anywhere compatible). Unfortunately this is a barebones, movie-only release that contains no bonus material, not even the film’s trailer.
What’s Included:
Film: (2:02:03)
- 1080p / Widescreen 2.39:1
- Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio
- Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
- 480i / Anamorphic Widescreen 2.39:1
- Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio
- Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
- HD Digital Copy redeemable via Vudu (not Movies Anywhere compatible)
Blu-ray:
DVD:
Digital (code may not be valid after 6/30/2024):
Extras:
-
No bonus material
Final Thoughts:
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is an excellent war film that explores the bond that forms between a soldier and his interpreter, and how each is willing to put his own life on the line to save the other. It feels a lot more grounded than Guy Ritchie’s usual action/gangster movies, featuring strong lead performances, and excellent drama and action. Warner Bros.’ Blu-ray release features solid picture and incredibly immersive sound. Unfortunately, the disc is barebones, without any bonus material. That said, the release still comes recommended based on the quality of the film itself.
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (Blu-Ray)
50% Off $22.98 $7.77 (as of May 3, 2024 14:28 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (DVD)
50% Off $19.98 $9.96 (as of May 3, 2024 14:28 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
$5.89 (as of May 3, 2024 14:28 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
