Hell in the Pacific Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Hell in the Pacific Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 4, 2017

Returning for duty with his “Point Blank” star Lee Marvin, director John Boorman cuts to the heart of war in 1968’s “Hell in the Pacific,” which boils down World War II conflict to the adventures of two soldiers (one American, one Japanese) stranded on a remote island. Boorman ditches dialogue and throttles incident with “Hell in the Pacific,” wisely investing in pure physicality to communicate ideas both large and small, allowing Marvin and co-star Toshiro Mifune to play out their scenes in a feral manner, which makes for riveting cinema.

With talent as legendary as Marvin and Mifune, it doesn’t take much to keep “Hell in the Pacific” interesting. Boorman crafts a survival thriller, but he doesn’t get in the way of the performances, which communicate wartime antagonism slowly evolving into codependence. The story charts the gradual melting of enemies trapped in a dire situation, with mutual need for supplies and companionship overtaking their trained hated of each other. It’s the core conflict of global combat played out in a jungle setting, with the pair battling their way into a tentative understanding, trading blows, dominance, and hard looks before they change their ways out of necessity.

Hell in the Pacific Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation is largely approachable, with sporadic clarity fighting softer cinematography and an older master. Detail is important to the overall effort, allowing viewers to grasp the setting and survey body language, and some facial particulars remain, along with periodic depth to the island setting. Colors aren't dynamic, but greenery does relatively well, and ample amounts of exposed skin looks natural. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is heavy, slipping into blockiness during a few sequences. Wear and tear isn't distracting, but reel changes are visible, along with speckling.

Hell in the Pacific Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Hell in the Pacific" isn't loaded with conversations, making the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix mostly down to atmospherics, which provide a sense of island life, from distant wildlife to rolling waves. Sound effects are crisp, exploring violence and crunchy jungle encounters. Music sounds wonderful, filling the fronts with precise instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges are minimal, but intentional muttering and grunting is preserved.

Interestingly, Mifune's dialogue isn't supposed to be subtitled during the movie, adding to the divide between the main characters. However, there's an optional subtitle track included that identifies everything Kuroda is saying, effectively destroying the mystery. For fans of the feature, it's an unexpected addition.

Hell in the Pacific Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Travis Crawford and Bill Ackerman.

• Interview (33:16, HD) with John Boorman is a candid conversation with the "Hell in the Pacific" helmer, who details the troubles encountered during production, most notably with actor Toshiro Mifune, who challenged the director on everything, forcing Boorman to delay filming while they sorted out the performance. Boorman tracks the development of the project, which was cast before it was written, setting out to make a silent movie that says something about the confusion of war. Talk of Lee Marvin and his loyalty is shared, along with storytelling help from Akira Kurosawa, and a direct look at the botched ending is examined, which was changed without Boorman's consent.

• Interview (10:46, HD) with art director Anthony Pratt doesn't reveal much, highlighting his hiring, his positive feelings for the movie, the daily trial of weather conditions, and his understanding of the ending and why it was changed.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this disc.

Hell in the Pacific Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Hell in the Pacific" takes its time to build atmosphere, largely unfolding in lengthy sequences of staring and scheming. Dialogue is minimal, but it permits release, even if a language barrier remains. It's a fine film with some real dramatic power, but one must be careful before viewing, as the Blu- ray contains two endings. The first was used theatrically, cut without Boorman's knowledge or participation, and it's an absolutely ridiculous way to end the feature, presenting sudden finality that triggers unintended laughs. The second, or "alternate" ending isn't all that more satisfying, but it closes out Boorman's thematic quest with grace and stillness. Go with the latter when sitting down to watch "Hell in the Pacific," because if you remain with the former, this sincere study of primal connection is going to turn into a comedy.