Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Grand Slam Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 1, 2022

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

Is it possible that the original story that inspired Italian director Giuliano Montaldo to shoot Grand Slam in 1967 is actually a very good variation of another original story? I don’t know. But the always suspicious speculator in me thinks that at the very least there is a legit possibility that it could be so. The other original story I am referring to is in American writer William Peter McGivern’s novel The Caper of the Golden Bulls, which was published in 1966 and made into a film by American director Russell Rouse in 1967. So, Grand Slam and The Caper of the Golden Bulls are both heist films that opened at approximately the same time in 1967, which is just a coincidence because obviously this was a very good year for heist films, right? Maybe. Maybe not. In both films crews of four seasoned thieves go to work to steal some very rare diamonds. These crews rely on the assistance of a beautiful woman that has to do something very particular so that they can carry out their missions as planned. In both films the diamonds are kept in supposedly impenetrable vaults that are not placed in banks. In both films the thieves go to work during mass events that temporarily paralyze the local area. In Grand Slam, the mass event is the famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In The Caper of the Golden Bulls, the mass event is the annual ‘running of the bulls’ in Pamplona, Spain. One last thing, which the suspicious speculator deems important as well. Why would McGivern’s novel be on Montaldo’s radar and of course the Italian producers that funded his film? Well, because a very particular original story written by McGivern was immortalized in Fritz Lang’s classic film noir The Big Heat, which was a huge box office success in Italy and other big markets across Europe a little over a decade earlier.

The fun in Grand Slam begins shortly after Professor James Anders (Edward G. Robinson) boards a plane in Rio de Janeiro bound for New York City. Professor Anders is bringing with him a very special proposition for his old friend Mark Milford (Adolfo Celi), a former-crook-turned businessman, whom he hasn’t seen in more than four decades. When the two meet in a posh mansion somewhere on the outskirts of the city, Professor Anders hands his host an amateur film that reveals how twice a year the manager of a big diamond company whose main office is right across the street from his classroom receives a large load of diamonds worth approximately ten million dollars. The diamonds are then placed in a special vault protected by a Grand Slam 70, a modern, ultra-sensitive security system. But Professor Anders thinks that with the right crew, which Milford can help him put together, the diamonds can change ownership, and then again with his friend’s help can be promptly sold on the black market. Milford agrees, a deal is struck, and Professors Anders is given the names of four professionals with unmatched technical expertise and spotless records: an electrotechnician (Ricardo Cucciolla), a playboy (Jean-Paul Audry), a safe cracker (George Rigaud), and a military killer (Klaus Kinski). Professor Anders meets one of them in New York, but then travels to Rome, Paris, and London where the other three reside. After they are given a short description of their financial benefits, the professionals agree to do the job.

The rest of Grand Slam, which is a little over two-thirds of it, is shot on location in Rio de Janeiro, which most definitely looks like a carnival city. I am intentionally not describing any additional details as I do not wish to spoil the film. However, I must mention that the playboy is supposed to seduce a very elegant, single, and supposedly cold-hearted secretary (Janet Leigh) who has the only key to the safe where the diamonds are placed.

The action and the area’s exotic beauty are blended in virtually the same manner they are in The Caper of the Golden Bulls. Also, there is a bit of identical light humor that is added for good measure. Predictably, Grand Slam and The Caper of the Golden Bulls offer the exact same type of entertainment.

The great maestro Ennio Morricone composed the original soundtrack for Grand Slam. It has an appropriately lively and quite exotic personality that is absolutely perfect for the film.

Grand Slam Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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).

Grand Slam Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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.

Grand Slam Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson.

• Trailer - a vintage international trailer for Grand Slam. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

Grand Slam Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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).