Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Berserk! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 10, 2020

'Berserk!' is currently available from Mill Creek as part of a two-film bundle with 'Strait-Jacket.' At time of publication, this is the only way to own 'Berserk!' on Blu-ray in the United States.

When Monica Rivers' (Joan Crawford) star circus attraction -- the tightrope walking Gaspar the Great -- dies in the act in an apparent freak accident, she revels in the profits, thrilled that more fans are turning up in hopes of witnessing another tragedy. Gaspar's replacement is the handsome Frank Hawkins (Ty Hardin) whose act includes tightrope walking blindfolded, without a balance, above a floor of blades ready to impale him at the slightest slip-up. When another individual in the act, Rivers' business partner Albert Dorando (Michael Gough), also turns up dead, the authorities, and the circus' other performers, begin to suspect foul play, and Monica's name winds up at the top of the suspects list.

Berserk! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Berserk!'s 1080p transfer is fairly strong in all areas of concern. The picture holds tight to a steady and fairly consistent grain structure. It's moderately dense with occasional spikes, but it's complimentary and serves the film source well. Details are excellent. The picture is clear and robust, offering a wide variety of elements with satisfying depth and detail. Whether terrain and decorative accents under the big top, furnishings in the caravan trailers, clothes, or faces, the picture features a commendable level of quality definition from start to finish. Colors are pleasantly robust, particularly a variety of clothing a well as the reds inside the tent. Black levels are pleasantly deep and flesh tones appear accurate. The picture shows the occasional speckle and light macroblocking: look at the 30:50 mark on Monica's red cape for one example. Neither are egregious, but there's enough to knock the transfer down a peg. On the whole, however, this one looks quite nice, especially for the price.

Berserk! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Berserk! features an LPCM 2.0 uncompressed soundtrack. The track is largely dialogue-heavy with fine center-focused positioning, good foundational clarity, and center imaging. The track opens up to crowd cheers and other circus sounds throughout, with wide engagement and quality definition to the various elements; nothing sounds overly clumpy or stilted. Music is equally impressive for spacing and definition. Nothing here sounds overly compressed or flat; the sound design lacks robustness but clarity and presence are strong.

Berserk! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, the Mill Creek disc contains no supplements.

Berserk! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Berserk! blends a satisfying whodunit with circus fun and light sexual tensions. It's well acted and nicely put together. It's no classic, but it's a quality watch. Mill Creek's featureless Blu-ray includes pleasing video and audio. Recommended.