The in-home release of “The Light Between Oceans” will carry audiences even deeper into this timeless tale of love and impossible choices through never-before-seen bonus features, including a documentary which reveals director Derek Cianfrance’s unique approach that allowed the all-star cast to embody their characters and examine the power of love; a historical look at New Zealand’s Cape Campbell Lighthouse that serves as Janus Rock, a key element in Stedman’s novel; and insightful and in-depth audio commentary led by Cianfrance.
Cianfrance was transfixed by M.L. Stedman’s writing and remained faithful to her book, explaining, “The most meaningful compliment on the film I’ve received so far was from Stedman herself, who said she spent the day weeping after attending a screening … weeping because she felt that she was understood.” According to Stedman, “The result is an exquisitely beautiful and emotionally authentic film that stays true to the spirit of my novel, yet also embodies the deeply personal interpretation of the director and his actors. It’s been a great privilege to watch it come into being.”
After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.
Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.
DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Light Between Oceans” stars Michael Fassbender as Tom Sherbourne, a young combat veteran and lighthouse keeper on a remote island off the coast of Western Australia; Alicia Vikander as Isabel Graysmark, the beautiful and spirited daughter of the school headmaster on the mainland of Partageuse; Rachel Weisz as Hannah Roennfeld, a resident of Partageuse who is desperately hoping to find her husband and baby lost at sea; Bryan Brown as Septimus Potts, Hannah’s wealthy, influential father; and Jack Thompson as Ralph, a salty, sea-faring skipper. The film is written for the screen and directed by Derek Cianfrance based on the novel by M.L. Stedman and produced by Oscar-nominee David Heyman, p.g.a. and Jeffrey Clifford, p.g.a. The executive producers are Tom Karnowski, Rosie Alison, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King.
Bonus features include*:
BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD:
- Bringing The Light to Life – For weeks, the cast and crew of “The Light Between Oceans” lived in trailers on Cape Campbell, an isolated region of New Zealand, to film the movie adaptation of the best-selling novel. This documentary chronicles the unique approach and shooting style of director Derek Cianfrance and the production journey that inspired Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz to fully embody their characters and explore the power and depths of love.
- Audio Commentary – View the film accompanied by an in-depth and thoughtful conversation between director Derek Cianfrance and his film studies professor Phil Solomon.
- Lighthouse Keeper – The filmmakers, cast and Cape Campbell Lighthouse inspector/maintainer Rob Sword share the history of the lighthouse and explain the typical duties a lighthouse keeper like Tom Sherbourne would have during an assignment on Janus Island.’
Romance and so much more, get the movie and be lost in that time like we did.