Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Green Ice Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 22, 2024

Ernest Day's "Green Ice" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by author David J. Moore; new program with stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong; original theatrical trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Harry Alan Towers scripted and produced a lot of films like Green Ice. The best came out during the 1960s and 1970s, so they have a slightly different appearance, but they are a lot like Green Ice. They have handsome male and gorgeous female protagonists, almost always visit a stunning exotic location, and produce enough fireworks to be called action films. However, for me, they are the perfect cinematic sleeping pills, and I always view them very late at night. They improve my mood, relax my mind, and put me to sleep. Always. I love them and have amassed plenty in my library.

Green Ice was not given a proper theatrical distribution and instead premiered on HBO in the early 1980s. As strange as it may sound, this was probably the right destination for it because it looked like an unusually big production for TV, so it attracted a lot of viewers who almost certainly would not have bothered to see it in the theater. Interestingly, in some international territories, Green Ice apparently had limited but proper theatrical screenings.

On a dusty road in sunny Mexico, recently divorced, struggling engineer Joseph Wiley (Ryan O’Neal) meets the sizzling hot and wealthy socialite Lillian Holbrook (Anne Archer) and offers to give her a ride to the nearest town. The two immediately fall in love, but shortly after Wiley discovers that Holbrook plans to marry Meno Argenti (Omar Sharif), a super rich Colombian emerald magnate whose mind is preoccupied with delusions of grandeur. While spending time with Holbrook, Wiley is then drawn into a multi-layered game of political intrigues and eventually agrees to steal a very large chunk of Argenti’s fortune. But to do so, Wiley must team up with several South American revolutionaries and enter a skyscraper with a state-of-the-art security system.

Directed by Ernest Day, Green Ice is one of those rare films that is just so naturally attractive it is impossible to dislike. To be clear, it is a pretty good heist film with nice surprises as well, but it is unquestionably the beauty of its visuals that makes viewing it a wonderful experience. Interestingly, but perhaps not surprisingly considering where and when Green Ice was shot, the leads are clearly contributing to that kind of beauty-first action/suspense-later film as well. (I suspect that this was likely the reason top brass at Universal decided to redirect Green Ice straight to HBO).

All of the intense and exciting material is in the final third of Green Ice, where O’Neal and his assistants land on the top of the building and then begin making their way toward the vault where the emeralds are kept. Admittedly, some of the technical discussions are a bit dated, but the logic behind them is solid, and the action looks pretty good. The special effects are neither great nor terrible, they are just right for a film featuring an elaborate heist from the early 1980s.

O’Neal and Archer make a terrific couple and share a great, very authentic chemistry. However, Sharif was probably not the right actor to play the delusional Colombian emerald magnate and future husband of Archer. He looks far too old and too exotic to have been able to attract the interest of someone as intelligent and elegant as Archer, who does not need his wealth.

Day’s director of photography was Gilbert Day, whose credits include such big films as Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, A Hard Day's Night, Repulsion, and The Omen.

Imprint Films’ release presents two versions of Green Ice: the original shorter and remastered version, which is approximately 109 minutes long, and an extended version, which is approximately 117 minutes long. The latter is presented upscaled.

Green Ice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Green Ice arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

Despite a few blemishes and nicks, the entire film has a very attractive, very solid organic appearance, and I thought that it looked great on my system. Delineation, clarity, and depth are always very pleasing, though I should say that a few of the panoramic vistas can look even better. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections, such as degraining, sharpening, contrast boosting, etc. Color balance is very convincing. All primaries look lush and remain stable, while the supporting nuances are set properly. Is there any room for improvements? Yes, I think that in some areas where a few visuals reveal density fluctuations saturation levels can be improved, but balance and the color temperature are already very good. There are no stability issues. All in all, I think that this release offers a lovely presentation of Green Ice. My score is 4.25/5.00. (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).

Green Ice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio track is not plagued by age-related anomalies. Clarity, sharpness, and stability are very good. Dynamic intensity is very good as well, especially during the action footage and in areas where the music has a prominent role to play. I do not think that there is any room for substantial improvements. At best, a future new mix should introduce some cosmetic adjustments that may enhance a few slightly uneven spots.

Green Ice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Extended Cut - presented here is the slightly longer cut of Green Ice. It is upscaled. In English, not subtitled. LPCM 2.0. (117 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by author David J. Moore. It is included on the extended cut of the film.

• Gravity Artist - in this new program, stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong recalls his contribution to Green Ice. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Textless Opening and Closing - this footage features Maurice Binder designed sequences. With music. (5 min).

• Theatrical Trailer - presented here is a vintage theatrical trailer for Green Ice. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Isolated Music & Effects Track - featuring the music of Bill Wyman. Presented as Dolby Digital 2.0.

Green Ice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Green Ice is a terrific addition to Imprint Films' catalog. It is a very old favorite of mine that I often revisit. It is not one of the great heist films you can see, but it is so beautiful and relaxing, I think that it is rather special. This release offers two versions of Green Ice. The shorter version is remastered and looks great. The longer version is presented upscaled. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.