7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Diabolical mastermind Prisoner 39013 escapes and, with a seemingly endless supply of henchmen, sets out to destroy all holdings of industrialist Granville, who put him in prison. One target is an amusement park, home of the three Daredevils of the Red Circle, who perform death-defying stunts. Aghast at innocent lives lost, our three heroes swear to capture No. 39013.
Starring: Charles Quigley, Bruce Bennett (I), David Sharpe, Carole Landis, Miles ManderCrime | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Part of the Republic Movie Serial factory, 1939’s “Daredevils of the Red Circle” attempts a different approach to the creation of big screen heroes. Turning to the world of acrobatics to find a trio of men willing to put themselves in the line of fire to stop evil, the production finds an engaging starting point for action and adventure, following the exploits of characters who are accustomed to dangerous feats of survival. “Daredevils of the Red Circle” generally keeps up with serial interests in near-misses, silliness, and cheap suspense, but there’s craftsmanship from directors William Witney and John English that impresses, keeping 12 chapters filled with cartoonish violence and villainy, occasionally broken up by charged encounters and canine courage.
The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "Newly mastered from a 4K scan," and the results are impressive, managing to revive a largely forgotten serial that's nearly 80 years old. Wear and tear remains, resulting in some jumpy frames, scratches, and speckling, but most of the viewing experience is secure, with encouraging clarity that makes the effort look dimensional at times. Textures are satisfactory on costuming and set materials, and close-ups provide welcome facial particulars. Delineation is communicative. Whites are stable. Grain is fine and filmic.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is basic but effective, handling dialogue exchanges with reasonable clarity considering the age of the production. Some hiss remains, but dramatics and heated encounters are preserved to satisfaction. Scoring is constant, offered as more of a background presence to keep the chapters burning along, but musicianship is noted. Sound effects offer snap.
"Daredevils of the Red Circle" is very industrial, often taking the acrobats into the bowels of factories to advance the story and smack around bad guys, with the cast doing a fine job with make-em-up choreography and a few rather harrowing stunts. The guys know how to throw themselves around for the good of the serial, and bruising dedication helps to keep "Daredevils of the Red Circle" entertaining for 12 chapters, which remains ridiculous, but charmingly so, providing a breezy viewing experience that works with a weekly sampling or an entire sit.
1975
1946
Warner Archive Collection
1951
Special Edition
1974
1954
1967
Indicator Series | Limited Edition
1949
1978
1938
1952
Special Edition
1973
1956
4K Restoration
1948
Reissue | Special Edition
1948
1949
1976
I Became a Criminal / Kino Classics Presents
1947
1942
1946
2002