6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After retirement, Professor James Anders presents criminal Mark Milford an elaborate plan to rob a diamond company in Brazil with a crew of professionals. The men assemble in Rio de Janeiro and run in to an unanticipated problem: a new alarm system called Grand Slam 70.
Starring: Janet Leigh, Robert Hoffmann, Klaus Kinski, Riccardo Cucciolla, George RigaudForeign | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Giuliano Montaldo's "Grand Slam" (1967) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson, as well as vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
The man with the proposition
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Grand Slam arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The only other release of Grand Slam that I have in my library is the out-of-print DVD release from Blue Underground. This new Blu-ray release offers a significant upgrade in quality, though it is pretty clear that the film has not been meticulously restored. However, the master that was licensed from Unidis Jolly Film is actually really, really good, and my one and only minor complaint is that in a couple of areas the film looks just a tad darker than it should. (This isn't the same situation as the one witnessed on the recent Blu-ray release of the 4K restoration of The Long Goodbye). I did notice one slight bump early into the film that seemed a bit like a frozen frame, but this effect could very well be on the element that was used to prepare the master. The rest looks great. Delineation and clarity typically range from very good to near excellent, while depth is most pleasing. I should mention that there are plenty of density fluctuations affecting delineation and depth, but they are part of the original cinematography, so do not think that there are any troubling anomalies on the master. (Remember, the film was shot in Techniscope, which was notorious for producing such visuals inconsistencies). Color balance is very nice. Again, aside from the fact that some of the blacks are just a tad too strong, I think that the rest looks spot on. There are no stability problems. I noticed a couple of white specks during the prologue, but the rest of the film is clean. All in all, this is a very nice organic presentation that does the film justice. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The original English track features plenty of overdubbing. As a result, it has the familiar thinness and sporadic unevenness that these types of tracks are known for. I still think that a proper remastering job could have produced a better rounded track, but on the DVD release that I have the audio has the same limitations.
Is there a legit connection between Grand Slam and The Caper of the Golden Bulls? They reveal too many similarities, but I honestly do not know. Does it really matter if there is a legit connection between them? I do not think so. Just the terrific footage from old Rio de Janeiro is enough for me to declare that Grand Slam has a unique personality. If you have not seen it, consider a blind buy because it is an old-fashioned pleaser you will enjoy and keep coming back to. Kino Lorber's new Blu-ray release is sourced from a very solid organic master that was supplied by Unidis Jolly Film. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (If you have a soft spot for good capers, take a look at Deadfall and Loophole as well. Just keep in mind that the former is available on a Region-B release).
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