7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Leschenhaut and Morillon are trying to organize a plot to overthrow the French government and set up a new fascist organization. Their plans are interrupted by Davis, an American boxer, tutor of young Paul de Villemont; in Villemont Manor he discovers the plot and, after the kidnapping of the boy, he travels to Rome, where the organization would exchange Paul with a list of members stolen by Davis to give to the press.
Starring: George Peppard, Inger Stevens, Orson Welles, Keith Michell, Maxine AudleyCrime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
John Guillermin's "House of Cards" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new audio commentary by critic Scott Harrison; vintage promotional materials; and music & effects audio track. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
"What round is this?" "Still the first."
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, House of Cards arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.
This film has some absolutely breathtaking visuals that actually made me speculate that it could have been directed by a very adventurous Federico Fellini. If one day it is fully restored in 4K, it will look sensational on Blu-ray.
This release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. The master reveals some traces of digital enhancements, but fortunately they are light enough not to completely wipe out the organic strengths of the visuals. As a result, most of the close-ups can look rather decent; some indoor footage looks fine, too. The wider panoramic shots from Rome is mostly decent, but the larger your screen is, the easier it will be to conclude that a brand new master will make quite a difference. Color balance is good, but there is plenty of room for rebalancing adjustments that will strengthen the supporting nuances and fix some highlights that may appear overblown. Image stability very good. Finally, there are no distracting age-related imperfections, such as large cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames. (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 LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
Even though there are a few areas where the music can sound a bit thin, I think that the lossless track is very strong. To be honest, I am unsure if there is even room for some minor yet meaningful cosmetic adjustments because clarity, roundness, and stability are excellent. Perhaps some dynamic ranges can expanded a bit, but I think the overall quality of the lossless track is really good.
Some people insist that Michelangelo Antonioni's first English language film, Blow-Up, was conceived to be multiple things at once, one of which was a good old-fashioned thriller. To be honest, I feel that John Guillermin's House of Cards was conceived to be something very similar. In fact, had it been directed by Federico Fellini, I would have sworn that Antonioni's film was its inspiration. House of Cards is a very surreal film that does things the trendy early James Bond and Eurospy films do not, folks, and I found this incredibly attractive. George Peppard is very much in his element, and there is a pretty unhinged cameo by Orson Welles, so there are plenty of fireworks as well. On top of this, the film benefits a great deal from yet another sublime soundtrack composed by Francis Lai. I am really happy that Via Vision Entertainment decided to bring it to Blu-ray. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (In 1968, Peppard and Guillermin teamed up for another very wild film, P.J., which was recently restored and made available on Blu-ray by the folks at Kino Lorber. If you do not yet have it in your library, consider picking it up as well).
Imprint #177
1967
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1963
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1999
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1974
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1989
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1968
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1982
1968
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1978
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