7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Some unknown maniac is threatening to blow up the "Britannic", now in high sea with 1200 passengers.
Starring: Richard Harris (I), Omar Sharif, David Hemmings, Anthony Hopkins, Shirley Knight (I)Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Richard Lester's "Juggernaut" (1974) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by critics Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson and vintage promotional materials. In English, with optional English SDH subttiles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
The target
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Juggernaut arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
Juggernaut made its high-definition debut nearly a decade ago with this release, which was also produced by Kino Lorber. This reissue is sourced from the same old master, but the technical presentation of the film is different.
The new presentation of the film benefits from proper gamma levels and an optimized encode. I have the previous release in my library and was able to run several comparisons. If you have a bigger screen, the reissue definitely offers some small but meaningful improvements. For example, outdoor and darker indoor footage looks noticeably tighter now, though density levels in the darkest areas are still a bit shaky. Depth is very good, even in areas where the original cinematography introduces some fluctuations. Color balance is very convincing as well. Yes, there is room for some improvements that can strengthen saturation levels, but the overall balance and temperature of the visuals are solid. I noticed small image instabilities in some areas, but they are present on the previous presentation of the film as well. Some minor nicks and blemishes remain, but there are no large cuts, warped or torn frames to report. All in all, despite the age of the master, I think that Juggernaut has a very attractive organic appearance. (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 subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The audio is clear and stable. There are some minor fluctuations, usually during the outdoor action footage, but I assume that they are part of the original sound design because Juggernaut has some pseudo-documentary qualities. The music is effective but does not produce any memorable contrasts. Is there any room for improvement? I think so, but any such improvements will be cosmetic.
Juggernaut is one of those very rare action films that cannot be spoiled. It is because the overwhelming paranoia and fear that permeate it quickly become bigger and more important than the action and its story. It has made me think a lot about the work men like Richard Harris and his colleagues do for a living. I know that someone must do it, but it is essentially a slightly more sophisticated and far more unforgiving variation of the classic Russian Roulette. Kino Lorber's reissue of Juggernaut is sourced from the same older master that was used for the original release of the film in 2014, but the technical presentation is better. It also has an exclusive new audio commentary by critics Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
1972
1980
North Sea Hijack
1980
1978
Warner Archive Collection
1955
1979
2006
1968
Fox Studio Classics
1966
Warner Archive Collection
1935
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1966-1973
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1951
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1974
2016