6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A bush pilot is hired for $50,000 to go to Mexico to free an innocent prisoner.
Starring: Charles Bronson, Robert Duvall, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Sheree NorthDrama | 100% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
German, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Tom Gries' "Breakout" (1975) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Swill label Explosive Media. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailer and a gallery of archival promotional materials for the film. In English or German, with optional English and German subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The pilot
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Tom Gries' Breakout arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Swiss label Explosive Media.
I wanted to see if this release was sourced from the same Sony master that Indicator/Powerhouse Films used for this release earlier this year, and the answer is yes. Quite predictably, all of the limitations that we highlighted in our review of the UK release are retained, only here a few occasionally appear slightly more pronounced. For example, some edges can appear a bit thicker, and overall the visuals can be a tad more contrasty. But the highlights still break down in exactly the same manner, and all of the weaknesses of the color scheme remain the same. There are some minor flecks and scratches that pop up here and there that are also visible on the other release. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English and German subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
I think that the lossless audio track is excellent. On my system it sounds very nicely rounded, stable, and very clean in the upper register where usually older unrestored tracks show signs of ageing. I don't if the folks at Sony did any extensive remixing work when the current master was prepared, but if I had to guess, I would that they did.
When Charlie Bronson agreed to do Breakout the big bosses at Columbia Pictures concluded that they had a big blockbuster coming their way. However, back in 1975 the film did not exactly set the box office on fire; the surprising hit that year was Floyd Mutrux's Aloha, Bobby and Rose. I personally do not see anything seriously wrong with this film, but I don't think that Tom Gries should have directed it. The original story that inspired Breakout should have landed in the hands of Sam Peckinpah, or another director with an attitude, and the end result would have been a lot more exciting. Then again, the cast of this fictional 'better' film almost certainly would have been different as well.
I wanted to see if this release was sourced from a better master than the one that the folks at Indicator/Powerhouse Films used for their release of Breakout earlier this year, and the answer is no. They are both sourced from the same older Sony master. This release should be most suitable for folks that need optional German subtitles, or a German dub, to enjoy the film. RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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