Plot: What’s it about?
I’ve always been a fan of college level sports more than the professionals, especially when it comes to football. The games seem more pure and competitive, the players have more heart behind their performances, and the fans are more loyal, since players don’t switch teams and teams don’t uproot & move to new locations. It is a time when the game is played for the love of doing so, not to earn more profits. The players take more risks and lay it all on the line, since this game is about pride, determination, and above all else, the love of the game. It might sound corny, but it is very true and this is proven in Rites of Autumn, a ten episode series that takes us through the history of college level football. This series looks at what makes college football so special, where it has been before, where it is now, and of course, what direction it could head off into. You’ll see classic moments recalled, some of the greatest games, single plays, performances, and players to ever grace the field. Watch as rivalries become rooted and develop into timeless, anticipated battles, cheered on by legions of loyal fans. The case claims this series captures the essence of college football and if you ask me, that is just what Rites of Autumn does.
This is one of the most in depth, insightful documentaries I have seen, one which charts the subject from the very first signs of existence. I’ve seen some great feature length documentaries on college football, but they were no match for Rites of Autumn, not even close. As this release has ten episodes in which to unroll the material, there is never a rush or stretches skipped over, you can tell all the intended information was passed on. In the same vein as Ken Burns’ Baseball, Rites of Autumn mixes expert, fan, and players interviews with still photos, video clips, narration from Burt Reynolds (who played college football himself), and other media materials, which really brings the subject matter to life. The pace is brisk, but never too fast and that means the material is able to shine, which it deserves to do and then some. The amount of material covered is stunning and I imagine even the most dedicated fan will learn a lot from this series, which is a real compliment. The scope is massive and the filmmakers never lose sight of where the goalposts reside, driving ahead with one destination in mind, the endzone. This is a comprehensive, enjoyable documentary series that no football fan should be without. I had some doubts about how well this five disc set would measure up, but Rites of Autumn is a true sports masterpiece in every respect.
Video: How does it look?
Rites of Autumn is presented in a full frame transfer, as intended. As the materials are a mix of clips from various eras, the video varies from segment to segment, but I have minimal complaints about the visuals on the whole. The older footage has the expected wear & tear, but still looks good and of course, the newer materials are cleaner and sharper. The color and contrast levels change with the material also, but remain consistent and acceptable in all cases, so no need to be concerned on that front. The episodes come through in fine form and while the material limits the transfer at times, I think viewers will most pleased here.
Audio: How does it sound?
A basic, but effective stereo mix is used and seems to cover all the bases, as I noticed no scenes that weren’t well represented. As with the video, the older materials aren’t as sharp and refined, but the audio is as good as can be expected. The in game clips have a clean, natural sound and the more recent the clips, the better the overall sound, of course. I found the narration and new interviews to be flawless, with crisp vocals and no traces of errors. The musical score also come across well and uses the speakers as well as stereo allows, which adds a little more presence to the presentation. This set also includes optional English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The case says each episode contains bonus footage, but I’ve never seen them before, so I am not sure of which footage has been added.
