6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Phineas T Barnum and friends finance the first flight to the moon but find the task a little above them. They attempt to blast their rocket into orbit from a massive gun barrel built into the side of a Welsh mountain, but money troubles, spies and saboteurs ensure that the plan is doomed before it starts.
Starring: Terry-Thomas, Burl Ives, Graham Stark, Lionel Jeffries, Dennis Price (I)Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Don Sharp's "Blast-Off" a.k.a. "Those Fantastic Flying Fools" (1967) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributors Olive Films. The only bonus feature on the disc is an original theatrical trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Sir Harry Washington Smythe
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Don Sharp's Blast-Off arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.
The release is sourced from a master that must have been prepared rather recently because the film looks very healthy. Indeed, there are a few tiny flecks that pop up here and there and some minor density fluctuations, but delineation, clarity and depth have the type of consistency that old masters are largely incapable of producing. Grain is also quite well exposed, though ideally it should be even better resolved. Also, there are no traces of compromising sharpening adjustments. Colors are stable and saturation is quite good. There is room for minor improvements, but the basic color values here are actually far more convincing that those we have seen from a number or recent high-profile 2K/4K restorations (and especially restorations coming from Fox). Image stability is good. Lastly, there are no distracting age-related imperfections to report in our review. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
John Scott's score is quite ambitious, but the film's original sound design is mostly unimpressive. Even during the big action sequences dynamic movement remains modest at best, while some awkward editing choices actually create a few minor balance issues. However, the quality of the lossless track, not the sound design, is very good.
If you attempt to compare Don Sharp's Blast-Off to Ken Anakin's Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines you will be severely disappointed. Now, if you approach the film with the proper mindset -- which would be to remember that it was envisioned by Sharp and the prolific producer Harry Alan Towers, the creative duo behind Bang! Bang! You're Dead!, The Face of Fu Manchu, and The Brides of Fu Manchu -- I guarantee you would have a great time with it. It is a genuinely whacky period adventure film with a whole bunch of big stars that appear completely lost in it. I loved it, and I think that if you give it a chance, you will as well. (Special recommendation: If you are a Terry-Thomas fan, order your copy now). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Reissue
2000
The Love Factor
1969
Doppelgänger
1969
Limited Edition to 5000 - SOLD OUT
1964
The Star Beast / Wild Blue Yonder / The Giggle
2023
2023
1965
Barnacle Bill
1957
2011
Our Man in Marrakesh
1966
1942
2002
1977
1976
1953
1967
Or, How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes | Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1965
Extended Version
1967
1953
1966