6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
Peter Ustinov stars as "Blackbeard" in this hilarious fantasy as the ghost of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. The once blackhearted scoundrel materializes in a small New England town, cursed to wander in limbo until he performs a good deed. He gets his chance when he decides to help a local college track team ... that hasn't a ghost of a chance of winning! Blackbeard finds himself full of team spirit, and dispensing his own brand of invisible coaching.
Starring: Peter Ustinov, Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, Elsa Lanchester, Joby BakerFamily | 100% |
Comedy | 54% |
Fantasy | 5% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.75:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (320 kbps)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
With a title like Blackbeard's Ghost, audiences can be forgiven for believing that the movie might be about a spirited pirate swashbuckling his way through adventure on the high seas with some reanimated skeletons or something, Pirates of the Caribbean-style. But, nope. In Blackbeard's Ghost, good old Edward Teach is more like a member of the spirit squad as his invisible body helps propel a lowly college track and field team to success. Based on the novel of the sane name by Ben Stahl, the movie is certainly unique, not at all what one might expect from the title, and a vintage breath of fresh air for its levity and charm.
Blackbeard's Ghost looks magnificent on Blu-ray. It's a shame some of these vintage Disney films are somewhat "hidden" as online exclusives, because they tend to be some of the better catalogue releases on the market. Old Yeller, Treasure Island, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids...all of them impress, as does Blackbeard's Ghost. The image is pleasantly filmic. Grain is regular but accentuating and laying the foundation for a wonderful film-quality presentation. Details are sharp and clean, whether Walker's car, the wood-heavy inn interiors, or Blackbeard's coat and all its straps, buttons, and embellishments, not to mention the fabric itself. Overall image clarity is fantastic. Colors are rich and lively, particularly the diversely colored apparel the innkeepers wear at the beginning. Blacks are prone to lightening around the edges, one of the only real drawbacks. Flesh tones appear balanced and accurate.
Blackbeard's Ghost serves up a simple Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. Things do not begin promisingly. The track seems hopelessly crunchy and unkempt, barely cobbling together a basic sonic structure. Some of the less intensive musical and effects cues to follow do reveal a little more stability and definition. Crackling thunder at the 22-minute mark is satisfyingly sharp. Most effects produce serviceable presence and clarity, but some of the track and field meet cheers do go a little muffled. Dialogue images well enough to the center and plays with adequate definition.
This Disney Movie Club exclusive Blu-ray release of Blackbeard's Ghost contains no supplemental content.
Blackbeard's Ghost is an enjoyable little movie that's clever, funny, and different. Disney has done well by this vintage catalogue release. While the Blu-ray is featureless and audio is meek, the 1080p transfer is spectacular. It's currently exclusive to Disney's online movie club, and it comes highly recommended.
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