Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 9, 2024

Richard Lester's "Juggernaut" (1974) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the release include new audio commentary by Melanie Williams and James Leggott; new program with critic Sheldon Hall; new program with critic Neil Sinyard; and more. In In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The target

As the final credits of Juggernaut appeared on my screen, I began to wonder whether the producers of North Sea Hijack a.k.a. ffolkes had seen it. These films tackle similar material and have distinct British personalities but are very different, and I think I can guess correctly why. In Juggernaut, the main event, which is a terrorist situation on a luxury liner, is overshadowed by authentic pragmatism that becomes its story. As a result, all characters that are drawn into the crisis are required to look and sound as authentic as possible. In North Sea Hijack, the main event is again a terrorist situation but on two giant oil rigs, and the focus of attention is strictly on the action that takes place on them. The action is not devoid of pragmatism but its main function is to entertain. This means that the characters that are drawn into the crisis are not required to look and sound as authentic as possible.

There is something else that makes Juggernaut a vastly superior film. Once news breaks that the luxury liner carries multiple bombs that will be detonated unless its owners pay £500,000 to the terrorist that has installed them, the paranoia in the air becomes impossible to ignore. It is very heavy and thick, the kind that inevitably forces people to begin reevaluating the nature of their existence, and Juggernaut rightfully turns it into its atmosphere. What emerges from it is an even more prominent, maddening fear that then quickly destroys the morale of even the best professionals who are supposedly trained to make the right decisions in such dire situations. There are a few decent actors who keep their masks on a little longer than the rest, but eventually, they surrender to the fear as well.

An outstanding Richard Harris leads a team of bomb experts who are quickly transported from England to a remote location somewhere in the Mid-Atlantic where the luxury liner is. The weather conditions are horrific, and one of Harris’ men drowns in the freezing water. Later, another one (also an outstanding David Hemmings) perishes while working closely with Harris to figure out how the bombs can be deactivated. Meanwhile, in London, several powerful men (Ian Holm, Anthony Hopkins, Julian Glover) begin intense negotiations that very quickly reveal that they are not on the same page as to how far they could go to save the luxury liner.

Richard Lester directs Juggernaut with the clear vision that it can be an action film without obsessing with the flashiness that action usually brings in. This is what allows for pragmatism to overtake the action and become the story. It is an unusual approach to say the least because there is a lot happening in Juggernaut that qualifies to be described as action.

The detailed technical lingo feels very dated, but is nevertheless quite fascinating because it provides a real sense of the dangerous work Harris and his men do. While they are experts in their field, they are clearly guessing as they move forward, which means that they are routinely risking their lives. After I was done viewing Juggernaut, I spent quite a bit of time pondering what it must have been like to do this kind of work daily in years past. I also wondered how the same work is done now. I know that there are sophisticated robots that can do some of the same work, but what about the rest? Brave men are still needed to evaluate a crisis situation like the one in Juggernaut, make the right decisions, and then execute with precision. But no one is perfect, which means that errors will happen and lives will be risked.

Gerry Fisher’s lensing provides Juggernaut with a most appropriate borderline documentary appearance. For example, during some of the outdoor action on the luxury liner, very heavy mist and water often hit Fisher’s camera and affect the clarity and sharpness of the visuals.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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 Eureka Entertainment.

The release is sourced from the master that Kino Lorber licensed from MGM and produced its two releases of Juggernaut for the U.S. market. It is an old master, but I think that it is very nice and like it a lot. Why exactly? If I had to guess, I would say that it was struck from an interpositive, which must have been in wonderful condition. Yes, there are a few darker areas where minor improvements can be introduced to strengthen shadow nuances and finer details, but the overall quality of all visuals already ranges from very good to excellent. The same can be said about color reproduction. There is room for some small enhancements, but balance and the overall temperature of the visuals are solid. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Several tiny nicks and blemishes can be spotted, but there are no distracting large cuts, debris, warped or torn frames to report. All in all, while there is room for minor cosmetic improvements, I think that Juggernaut has a very nice, very attractive appearance on Blu-ray. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region or Region-Free payer in order to access its content).

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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.

In a few areas, usually where there is action, small unevenness can be noticed. However, I assume that it is inherited because in these areas, but elsewhere as well, the film tends to behave like a documentary. However, there are still plenty of conventional dynamic contrasts, so some unevenness is unavoidable. Some minor enchantments can be introduced, but these are cosmetic improvements.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• All Hands on Deck - in this new program, critic Neil Sinyard discusses Juggernaut. In English, not subtitled. (28 min).

• Down with the Ship - in this new program, critic Sheldon Hall discusses Juggernaut. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Juggernaut. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Stills Gallery - a large collection of vintage promotional and publicity materials for Juggernaut. With music. (20 min).

• Commentary - an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by critics Melanie Williams and James Leggott.

• Booklet - a collector's booklet featuring new writing on Juggernaut by British film scholar Laura Mayne, plus technical credits.

Juggernaut Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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. Eureka Entertainment's upcoming release is sourced from the same older but solid master that Kino Lorber worked with to produce the U.S. releases of Juggernaut. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.