Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.0 |
| Video | | 3.0 |
| Audio | | 3.0 |
| Extras |  | 2.0 |
| Overall | | 3.0 |
Doomwatch Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 14, 2017
While it began life as a BBC show in 1970, 1972’s “Doomwatch” hopes to bring its message of global health to a larger audience with a feature-film continuation. Mindful of repetition, the production alters a few elements from the television program, attempting to make the movie its own thing, which generally involves isolating the lead character from the comforts of big city science as the story plays out inside a coastal Scottish village. Perhaps this attempt to revive “Doomwatch” is best left for longtime fans of the series, who already have an appreciation for its blend of genre pursuits and procedural might, though newcomers to the concept aren’t left hanging, as director Peter Sasdy tries to infuse the picture with a sense of environmental urgency, even if the overall effort has trouble unearthing chills and thrills.
A government agency devoted to the investigation of environmental disasters, Doomwatch sends one of its top men, Dr. Shaw (Ian Bannen), to the Scottish island of Balfe to explore the lasting effects of a recent oil spill. Instead of a warm welcome, Dr. Shaw is dismissed by the locals, who want nothing to do with him. Achieving a tenuous connection to schoolteacher Victoria (Judy Geeson), Dr. Shaw finds comfort in a strange land, but his curiosity is piqued by unusual sightings of deformed residents, soon setting out to uncover what exactly has happened to Balfe over the years, which has clearly been influenced by some form of extreme pollution.
“Doomwatch” is quick to shed its interest in science lab debate, quickly putting Dr. Shaw on a boat and sending him to Balfe, where the picture becomes a “Wicker Man”-style story of growing hostility between the cultured outsider and private citizens who basically use the silent treatment in an attempt to drive him away. For Dr. Shaw, denial only emboldens him, pushing deeper into the community on a simple mission to collect samples, soon discovering a darker side to island life, noticing how a few longtime residents have thickened features, some bordering on monstrous. “Doomwatch” keeps up mild sleuthing and heated confrontations, but softness is supplied by Victoria, who slowly melts around Dr. Shaw, witnessing his honorable quest to uncover the poison that’s altered Balfe bodies. The schoolteacher adds some dimension to the effort, but it’s clear from the outset that Dr. Shaw’s fight to pinpoint pollution is going to inspire the movie’s finest scenes, with Bannen passionately delivering moments of shock as the Doomwatch employee inches closer to answers.
Doomwatch Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation does show signs of age, using an older master that doesn't provide a fresh look at "Doomwatch" production achievements. Granted, this is a softly shot feature (with plenty of glamour lighting for its actresses) to begin with, and detail isn't impossible to enjoy, finding make-up achievements open for inspection, village life retaining decorative textures, and facial responses preserved. Colors are muted with a degree of fade. Primaries aren't bold to begin with, remaining in step with drab seaside locations, but costuming shows signs of life, along with scientific highlights of Doomwatch headquarters. Skintones aren't snappy. Delineation has trouble with dense costuming and evening encounters. Grain hits a few noisy pockets. Source displays some wear and tear.
Doomwatch Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix only offers the basics when it comes to the "Doomwatch" listening event, and crispness is missing due to age. Hiss and pops are found throughout, which isn't appealing, but they don't threaten dialogue exchanges. Intelligibility is passable, and emotional surges are understood. Scoring is without inspired definition, but it supports as intended, setting mood and emphasizing danger. Atmospherics are blunt, without precision.
Doomwatch Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Intro (2:18, HD) catches up with director Peter Sasdy, who welcomes viewers to the "Doomwatch" Blu-ray, sharing his pride with the work and its relevance today as pollution fears increase.
- Commentary features Sasdy.
- Interview (6:20, HD) with Judy Geeson is a brief discussion of "Doomwatch" with its lead actress, who doesn't have the clearest memory of the shoot. She's cheery, and has interesting things to share about co-star Ian Bannen, describing him as "eccentric," but there's not much substance here.
- A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.
Doomwatch Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
As the movie enters its climax, "Doomwatch" becomes more of a genre picture, with ghoulish make-up and mild action, attempting to give viewers some jolts. It's the spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, but the production isn't preachy, it's blunt, hoping to send a critical message of environmental danger, which remains as relevant as ever. "Doomwatch" isn't comfortable with broad displays of cinematic escapism, making it a poky sit on occasion, but it does have a point, and a valuable one that isn't completely obscured by directorial stiffness.
