Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Fort Massacre Blu-ray Movie Review

Joseph M. Newman's "Fort Massacre" (1958) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Swiss label Explosive Media. The supplemental features on the disc include an original U.S. trailer for the film and various original promotional materials. In English or German, without optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Fort Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Joseph Newman's Fort Massacre arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Swiss label Explosive Media.

I decided to take a look at this release and see if it might be sourced from a different master, not the one Kino Video used for the U.S. release of the film, but it appears that it is the same MGM master, which tells me that it is only one that is currently available for licensing.

It is an older master that I assume was prepared some time during the DVD era. Unsurprisingly, there are some areas of the film that look rather decent, with daylight close-ups in particular having the healthiest appearance, but overall it is quite easy to see that there is room for some major improvements. Indeed, depth tends to be problematic and in some areas sharpness and clarity also fluctuate quite a lot. Color saturation also should be a lot better. There are no traces of recent sharpening adjustments, but grain exposure is unconvincing. There are a few tiny flecks, but there are no large debris or cuts to report. (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).

Fort Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and German LPCM 2.0. There are no optional English or German subtitles for the main feature.

The lossless track is actually very good. Depth and clarity are very good, though dynamic intensity is limited. However I would not blame the lossless track for the modest dynamic movement and small range of nuanced dynamics. The important point here is that there is no background hiss, distortions or other distracting age-related imperfections.

Fort Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original U.S. trailer for Fort Massacre. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Bildergalerie - a gallery of original promotional materials for Fort Massacre. With music. (3 min).

• Explosive Trailer Reel - a collection of trailers for other Explosive Media releases. (14 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet with writings on the film, in German.

• Cover - reversible cover.

Fort Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I quite like Fort Massacre and decided to take a look at this Swiss release from Explosive Media, but I can confirm now that it is sourced from the same master that Kino Video used when they prepared the U.S. release. The master shows its age but the Blu-ray is certainly a better option than the DVD-R release.