6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Disappointed with his family and friends, a dying tycoon decides to give away his fortune in $1 million increments to strangers he randomly finds in the city directory.
Starring: Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, George Raft, Jack Oakie, Richard Bennett (I)Drama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.36:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
"If I Had a Million" (1932) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by filmmaker Allan Arkush and critic/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and vintage trailer. In English, with optional Engish SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.36:1, encoded with MPEG-AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, If I Had a Million arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
I thought that the film looked pretty decent on my system. Most visuals had pleasing delineation and clarity, and even though depth was inconsistent, on a large screen there was plenty to appreciate. However, in many areas it is quite easy to tell that contrast was boosted. There are traces of minor sharpening adjustments as well. I do not think that there are any serious issues, but a proper restoration of the film will undoubtedly deliver far more attractive visuals with stronger organic qualities. Also, there is room for meaningful cosmetic improvements. I spotted plenty of blemishes, small scratches, and even larger marks. Some meaningful stability enhancements can be introduced as well. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
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.
The quality of the audio is not easy to evaluate. Early into the film, there are several quite obvious clarity fluctuations and a few spots where the audio becomes very thin and creates the impression that it is coming through a box. Some of these fluctuations might have been introduced by aging, but some are almost certainly inherited, and I think that it is extremely difficult to tell how many. I did not find any of these anomalies distracting, but they are impossible to miss. There are other minor fluctuations in other parts of the film, too. Dynamic intensity is pretty modest, as it should be considering that the film was shot in 1932.
How would your life change if a stranger handed you a check for a million dollars? What would you do with one hundred million dollars? It is easy to be rational while speculating without having the money, or at least I think it is, but if the money was real and in front of you the world you live in instantly becomes a very different place. You will discover that virtually all of the people around you have been wearing masks. You were wearing a mask too because you were forced to do it, and now you will finally be able to take it off. You will see, think, and behave differently, connect with people in an entirely new way. Of course, it is possible that the money may prematurely end your life, too. There are a lot of interesting scenarios, some good, some absolutely terrible, and I really enjoyed the ones that are highlighted in If I Had a Million, an ambitious, often very funny and thought-provoking anthology film from 1932. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
1994
Frank Capra's State of the Union
1948
1974
1961
Special Edition
1967
1982
1967
1995
1961
1972
Limited Edition to 3000
1971
1968
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1974
1934
1939
Collector's Edition
1985
1948
Warner Archive Collection
1953
1973
1943