7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A deeply religious Midwestern businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in California to look for his runaway teenage daughter who is making porno films.
Starring: George C. Scott, Peter Boyle, Dick Sargent, Season Hubley, Gary GrahamDrama | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Nominated for Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, Paul Schrader's "Hardcore" (1979) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by Paul Schrader; archival audio commentary by critics Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo' and vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The reluctant detective
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Hardcore arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
The only other release of Hardcore that I have in my library is this British release, which Indicator/Powerhouse Films produced in 2017. It is sourced from a fabulous 4K master that was prepared by Sony Pictures.
Kino Lorber's release of Hardcore is sourced from the same 4K master. Predictably, the film looks outstanding on Blu-ray. I revisited it again last night and, to be entirely honest, I like how it looks on my system even more now. Delineation, clarity, and depth range from excellent to what I consider to be 'reference level' quality, which is very impressive because the original cinematography produces numerous quite diverse visuals. For example, some look very polished, while some have a borderline documentary appearance. On a large screen, these visuals boasts terrific density levels as well. Fluidity is impressive, too. Color balance is pitch-perfect. There are wonderful, very nicely saturated and beautiful organic primaries and supporting nuances. I think that this is as good as color reproduction can be in 1080p. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks very clean and healthy as well. (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).
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 I viewed the British release of Hardcore, I was immediately able to tell that the audio was fully redone because it was very, very healthy. Unsurprisingly, the audio sounds just as impressive on this release. It will not test the muscles of your audio system, but if you appreciate audio that has all-around solid organic qualities, you will like what comes out of your speakers.
It almost feels like at times Paul Schrader went too far with this film, but kept shooting because he had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something very different. I cannot say that I enjoy watching it, but I have always thought of it as a tremendous time capsule with that tough and uncompromising attitude that the last great American films from the '70s had. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from a fabulous 4K master that was prepared by Sony Pictures. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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