6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A massive earthquake strikes the United States, which destroys the West Coast and unleashes a massive flood that threatens to destroy the East Coast as well.
Starring: Peggy Shannon, Lois Wilson, Sidney Blackmer, Lane Chandler, Ronnie CosbySci-Fi | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Disaster films usually save their big moments of mayhem for later, using destruction to motivate characters through the second act. Sometimes, massive visuals are reserved for finales, hoping to leave audiences woozy from all the spectacle. 1933’s “Deluge” doesn’t feel the need to wait, establishing global destruction soon after the main titles, securing screen interest with an opening earthquake and tsunami sequence that promises bigger and crazier events to come. A pre-code production, “Deluge” doesn’t massage initial momentum, but it contains enough oddity and tonal bravery to last, working to upset crowds with mass destruction, only to come back around with an askew tale of love and survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
Long thought lost, "Deluge" has crawled its way back into existence, first through an Italian print that was circulated in the 1980s, and now Lobster Films has acquired a nitrate dupe negative to bring the feature back to its original shape. The AVC encoded image (1.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation is not without considerable wear and tear, showcased through scratches, speckling, and assorted blips of damage, but the essentials are quite appealing. Detail is encouraging, offering a slight degree of sharpness to enjoy facial reactions, locations, and the opening disaster sequence. Texture comes through as far as one can expect from period cinematography. Delineation is satisfactory, and whites remain stable.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a surprisingly clear presentation of dialogue exchanges. Crispness isn't an option, but emotional ranges and dramatic escalation is understood, helping to appreciate performances. Scoring isn't amplified, keeping with period filmmaking standards, but an orchestral presence is acknowledged. Sequences of citywide annihilation are chaotic but never overtly distortive. Hiss is present, but mild.
"Deluge" works best in survival mode, watching the world go mad as the marginalized become empowered and the remnants of society look for a new leader. It's far from an ideal viewing experience, offering grotesque depictions of black characters, but as an early example of exploitation during an industry period where indecent material was allowed to roam free, "Deluge" is quite successful as twisted melodrama, even extending to a wild ending where satisfaction isn't guaranteed for any of the participants. It's also valuable as an early effort of screen chaos, manufacturing an elaborate presentation of cities crumbling and mass death for entertainment purposes, and often doing so with greater enthusiasm than the disaster movies of today.
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