6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After a parade of top-heavy blockbusters (Papillon, Nicholas and Alexandra), director Franklin J. Schaffner retreats, like the Hemingway character of the film, to peaceful tropical serenity in Islands in the Stream (based on Ernest Hemingway's posthumously published novel). George C. Scott plays the rich, but world-weary writer Thomas Hudson, living on Bimini in the Bahamas, where he carouses, drinks, and fishes to his heart's content. Invading Hudson's paradise is a parade of the sons of his ex-wives. His oldest son Tom succeeds in getting closer to his father, but the bonding comes to a halt as ripples from the encroaching conflagration of World War II intrude upon Hudson's retreat.
Starring: George C. Scott, David Hemmings, Gilbert Roland, Susan Tyrrell, Claire BloomWar | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Franklin J. Schaffner's "Islands in the Stream" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by critic Samm Deighan; new video essay by critic Daniel Kremer; and new program with critics Daniel Kremer and Nat Segaloff. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Islands in the Stream arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.
The release is sourced from an old but solid organic master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. Indeed, only during a couple of daylight sequences, where sunlight is very intense, I was able to spot a few highlights that could have been managed better. However, elsewhere throughout the film there is stylization work as well, so balance still looks very good. Delineation, clarity, and depth are typically very good. Density levels could have been a bit stronger, but I still liked what I saw a lot. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Color balance is very nice. The primaries and the supporting nuances are set properly and both look healthy. Some could look fresher, and I assume that a future 4K master will introduce precisely this type of improvement, but I did not see anything that I did not like. Image stability is good. I noticed a few blemishes and dark spots, but there are no large cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 4.25/5.00. (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 on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.
Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack does a lot of important work to enhance a very particular atmosphere. In some areas, it becomes the atmosphere, too. The lossless track is very healthy and reproduces its native quality wonderfully. Is there any room for improvement? I don't think so. However, one could probably use modern digital tools for some minor rebalancing work.
Moving on. It is the one constant element in our cycle of existence. It does not matter whether we are experiencing triumphs or failures, whether there is peace or war, we have to keep moving on -- until we run out of time and the whole thing abruptly ends. This is the grand message that emerges from Franklin J. Schaffner's Islands in the Stream, a deceivingly simple, often strikingly beautiful film about an aging American artist who has relocated to a quiet corner of the Bahamas while the rest of the world is on fire. Islands in the Stream was the second and final film Schaffner made with George C. Scott after the multiple Oscar-winner Patton. It is not yet available on Blu-ray in America, but this recent Australian release from Imprint Films is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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