After the Fox Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

After the Fox Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 3, 2016

1966’s “After the Fox” provides an unusual cinematic collaboration that features star Peter Sellers, director Vittorio De Sica, and screenwriter Neil Simon. Behind-the-scenes alchemy doesn’t get much stranger than that, and “After the Fox,” while never consistent, benefits from its multi-cultural take on broad comedy. Genuinely funny in fits, the picture is held together by its spirit, keeping the effort interested in the next big joke or silly encounter, noticeably trying to throw a big screen party.

“After the Fox” is a slapstick caper, detailing the execution of an elaborate transfer of gold bars, but there’s plenty of oddity and character work to enjoy, with Sellers invested in the anarchic vibe of the picture, donning disguises and embracing opportunities to communicate exasperated outrage. He’s genuinely amusing here, helping to make sense of De Sica’s sometimes slack timing, aided by sharp, Simon-esque lines. The movie stages chases and confrontations, but it’s also an industry parody as well, having fun sending up Euro filmmaking trends of the day, with De Sica making a cameo to pants himself.

After the Fox Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.41:1 aspect ratio) presentation carries the feature's distinctly period look to HD without major problems. The widescreen lensing has inherent softness, but detail remains, delivering textures on facial close-ups and fabrics, and location shots reveal pleasing expanse. Colors are comfortable, with amplification on costuming to capture wilder style, while greenery and coastal specifics remain. Skintones are appropriate for this type of production. Delineation isn't robust, but it's never solidified to a point of distraction. Source hits a few rough patches with extended vertical scratches and some debris.

After the Fox Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't refreshed for Blu-ray, but it handles acceptably, finding dialogue exchanges preserving their madcap intentions and wild accents, and dubbing is quite obvious. Scoring hits crispy extremes, but music remains palatable, with the title song (where Sellers teams up with The Hollies) thick but effective. Atmospherics are amplified, lacking precision, but mood is achieved.

After the Fox Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Trailers from Hell" (3:06, HD) is hosted by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski, who professes great admiration for "After the Fox" while burning through BTS trivia about the movie. He also admits to stealing a moment from the film in his script for "Problem Child," though his suggestion that the scene is "funny" in both productions is debatable.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:49, HD) is included.

After the Fox Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's hard to argue with the basics of "After the Fox," which explores exotic locations, golden Italian women, and farcical timing, coming through with sizable laughs, at least when De Sica works up a steady rhythm. It's far from great, but "After the Fox" offers immense playfulness and engaged acting.