7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Phaedra is a poor sponge diver on the lovely Greek isle of Hydra. While diving, she discovers an ancient brass and gold statue of a boy riding a dolphin, which is said to have the magical power to grant wishes. Her shiftless boyfriend wants to sell it to an unscrupulous art collector, but Phaedra becomes more inclined to give it to archaeologist Jim Calder, who would return it to the Greek government.
Starring: Alan Ladd, Sophia Loren, Clifton Webb, Alexis Minotis, Jorge MistralRomance | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | 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
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Although sold as an exotic romance, 1957’s “Boy on a Dolphin” is actually more effective as a mild adventure highlighting a battle of wills and financial gain. It marks the American film debut for Sophia Loren, who makes quite an impression here, playing up her unforgettable physical presence to help energize the feature, adding boldness to what otherwise would be a dry viewing experience concerning archeological finds and professional competition. “Boy on a Dolphin” is lush work from director Jean Negulesco, periodically showcasing real spirit when exploring Greek culture and the living seas, always at its finest when tensions mount and plans are hatched.
Listed as a "4K Restoration," the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings out the vividness of "Boy on a Dolphin," leading with rich, deep primaries that come through with encouraging brightness and power. It's seaside life that's most impressive here, offer blue waters and colorful costuming, while skintones retain their accentuation. Detail is strong overall, getting much out of close-ups and community strolls, with set decoration textured and distances preserved. Delineation isn't troublesome (day-for-night shots look terrible, but they always do). When the action heads underwater, some mild pixelation in the corners of the frame is detected, but the source is in satisfactory shape, without overt points of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix supports the sense of cultural life in "Boy on a Dolphin," offering clarity with dialogue exchanges, though most of the effort is dubbed. Scoring is clear with comfortable instrumentation, and musical numbers also deliver depth and snap. Atmospherics are evocative, handling the presence of water both above and below the surface, and community bustle registers pleasingly.
"Boy on a Dolphin" touches on relationship woes and ethical choices, and the screenplay also wants to build something inviting between characters portrayed by Loren and Ladd. These elements and themes work, but the effort is more enticing traveling around locations, monitoring thinly veiled hostilities and swimming around the deep blue sea, providing a dollop of unexpected vitality to the relationship routine.
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