• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
  
• Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
• Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit)
  
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
  
• Subtitles Color: White
• Region: A (Region-Locked)
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 145 Mins.
  
• Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
• Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
  
• Blu-ray Release Date: August 7, 2012
• List Price: $29.98

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Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Film
[Rating:5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:3/5]

Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures

(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)

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The Film

[Rating:5/5]

Director Kevin Macdonald’s documentary Marley is the definitive documentary on the life and career of late reggae musician Bob Marley, made with the full support of the Marley family. With a nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime, no other film or special has ever come as close to this one delving into every aspect of Marley the man, the musician, and the icon. Filled with interviews of family, friends, colleagues, fellow musicians, and, not to mention his numerous lady-friends, the film covers his life from his humble beginnings as an outcast, mixed-race child born into poverty, through his years as a struggling, unknown solo artist and the early years with The Wailers, to his international superstardom and eventual death.

While Marley does fall into the trap of glorifying its subject much of the time, Macdonald is careful not to gloss over the many faults of Bob Marley the man, mainly his womanizing and what could be seen by many as his cold form of parenting as told from the mouths of his own children.

Video Quality

[Rating:4/5]

While Marley’s mixture of sources doesn’t always offer the greatest picture quality, the 1080p/24 AVC/MPEG-4 encodement is a strong one nonetheless that looks best during the various HD interview segments and during the pans over the archival photographs.

Audio Quality

[Rating:4.5/5]

As far as soundtracks for documentaries go, Marley offers the usual straightforward mix of dialogue in the center channel, which is clean and intelligible. Where this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit) soundtrack really shines is during the numerous snippets of musical performances. Then it is really dynamic, with a wide soundstage, big, musical bass tones, and lots of ambience in the surrounds.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:3/5]

The supplements extend this already excellent film even further by offering extended interview segments, an excerpt from Ziggy Marley’s radio show and an audio commentary with the director and Ziggy Marley.

• Commentary with Director Kevin Macdonald and David “Ziggy” Marley
• Around the World (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:18:36) – From Jamaica to Brazil, Japan, Kenya, Ghana, Tibet, India and Tunisia, people tell how Marley’s music relates to them in a personal way.
• Extended interview with Bunny Wailer (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:19:03)
• Children’s Memories: Additional Interviews with David “Ziggy” Marley, Stephen Marley, and Cedella Marley (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:10:03)
• Listening to “I’m Loose” (1.78:1; 1080p/24; 00:03:48) – A private recording of Bob Marley improvising a tune while seducing a couple of audibly pleased girls.
• Photo Gallery (1080p)
• Theatrical Trailer (1.78:1; 1080p/24; Dolby Digital 5.1)
• SiriusXM: Ziggy Marley’s Legends of Regge – Audio clip from Ziggy’s radio show includes him speaking with Jimmy Cliff.
• Marley Soundtrack – TV Spot (1.78:1; SD; 00:00:23)
• Visit Jamaica – Promo (1.33:1; SD; 00:00:47)
• Magnolia Trailers
• BD-Live

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:4/5]

A spectacular look at the life of Bob Marley from the people who knew him best, Marley is an expansive, engaging documentary filled with rare photos, film footage, and performances that Bob Marley fans absolutely must see.

Additional Screen Captures

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Purchase Marley on Blu-ray at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com

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[amazon-product]B007PVHAN2[/amazon-product]

Purchase Marley on Blu-ray at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com

Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Film
[Rating:5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:3/5]

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