6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A hot-shot police driver has more guts than brains, often landing him in hot water with his middle-aged mentor, who was once a legendary police interceptor responsible for numerous large scale arrests. (IMDB)
Starring: Maurizio Merli, Giancarlo Sbragia, Angelo Infanti, Lilli Carati, Glauco OnoratoForeign | 100% |
Crime | 21% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
German: LPCM 2.0
Italian: LPCM 2.0
German, English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Stelvio Massi's "Highway Racer" a.k.a. "Poliziotto Sprint" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Camera Obscura. The supplemental features on the disc include large collection of vintage promotional materials for the film and exclusive program with film historian Roberto Curti. The release also arrives with a 10-page illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic Christian Kebler. In Italian or German, with optional English and German subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The racer
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Highway Racer arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Camera Obscura.
The film has been fully restored and looks absolutely magnificent on Blu-ray. I projected the release last night and can comfortably state that it is the best looking one in Camera Obscura's Blu-ray catalog. On a larger screen the density levels and fluidity of the visuals are of what I consider to be 'reference quality'. Depth, clarity, and sharpness are also hugely impressive. I find the color grading convincing as well. The primaries are solid, nicely balanced, and with fine and healthy ranges of supporting nuances. (I don't know where the new master was graded, and I don't know if any original elements were referenced). Image stability is excellent. Lastly, there are no debris, scratches, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report in our review. (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. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the main menu).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Italian LPCM 2.0 and German LPCM 2.0. Optional English and German subtitles are provided for the main feature.
There is one sequence early into the film where I noticed some extremely light buzz in the upper register, while the music was playing. It is likely on the current elements that were used to prepare the newly restored master. The rest is great. Clarity, depth, and stability are all very good. The dialog is easy to follow as well. The English translation is very good.
When a few years ago The Burglars arrived on Blu-ray I wondered if Highway Racer will emerge as well, but at the time I was very skeptical that it would. Well, it is incredible to have this cult film on Blu-ray and looking so mightily impressive. The folks at Camera Obscura prove yet again that they have impeccable taste and care about quality. I urge you to track down a copy of this release while it is still in circulation, because if you don't eventually you will find out how incredible Highway Racer is and will never forgive yourself that you missed it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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