Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Master of the World Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 16, 2021

William Witney's "Master of the World" (1961) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by film historians Tom Weaver, David Schecter, and Richard Heft, and Vincent Price biographer Lucy Chase Williams; archival audio commentary recorded by star David Frankham and actor David Dixon; archival documentary; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Vincent Price is Robur, a brilliant inventor who operates a futuristic airship named Albatross. Somewhere in rural Pennsylvania, Robur kidnaps a government agent (Charles Bronson) and a couple of local residents (Henry Hull, David Frankham, Mary Webster) and then takes them on a journey around the world. During the journey, Robur targets and destroys major military bases and equipment to ensure that there is everlasting peace. Horrified by his 'proactive pacifism', Robur's 'guests' stage a coup to prevent him from 'saving the world'.

In the United States, Master of the Universe was initially released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please Jeff Kauffman's review of The Vincent Price Collection III here.

Master of the World 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, Master of the World arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from the same old master that MGM supplied to Shout Factory for this release of Master of the World from 2016. It is a rough master with predictable limitations, but I like it a little better than the one that was used for the recent release of Theater of Blood. There are two reasons for this. First, despite some small but obvious fluctuations, plenty of the darker footage here reveals better nuances. There is still plenty of room for improvements, but this footage consistently has stronger organic qualities. Second, despite signs of ageing, the color balance is convincing good as well. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. The film does look a bit softer than it should, but this is primarily because the current master wasn't struck from the OCN. Plenty of minor specks, blemishes, and even some scratches can be spotted, but there are no distracting large cuts, warped or torn frames. My score is 3.25/5.00. (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).

Master of the World Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 lossless track is quite good. However, I think that it needs to be fully remastered so that its dynamic range is improved. From time to time the audio becomes a bit flat, in some areas even a tad thin, so there is definitely room for some meaningful rebalancing work. On the other hand, it is clean and healthy, so the upper register, where older audio tracks usually reveals weakness, is already pretty good.

Master of the World Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Master of the World. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Richard Matheson: Storyteller - this archival documentary focuses on Richard Mathesons' creative style and his legacy. Also, a large portion of it examines the production history of various Hammer productions, like The Raven, Tales of Terror, and Master of the World. The long interview with Mr. Matheson that is incorporated into the documentary was conducted for MGM in 2001. In English, not subtitled. (73 min).

• Commentary One - in this archival audio commentary, actor David Frankham discusses in great detail the production history of Master of the World, some of the interesting changes that were made after the first draft of the film was submitted, the unique costumes that were used by different actors, the 'feel of wonder' that permeates the film, Les Baxter's score and his prolific career, Charles Bronson's contribution to the film and career, etc. The commentary is moderated by actor David Dixon.

• Commentary Two - this new audio commentary was recorded by film historians Tom Weaver, David Schecter, and Richard Heft, and Vincent Price biographer Lucy Chase Williams. The bulk of the information that is shared in it addresses the production history of Master of the World, but there are plenty of very interesting anecdotes as well. In fact, the 'secondary information' may actually be the main reason why the commentary is so interesting. Do not miss it.

Master of the World Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A couple of nights ago, I made a double bill of Master of the World and The Dead Zone and could not stop thinking how similar their main characters are. Both have 'good intentions' and are trying to help, but are actually classic psychopaths. In some parts of the world, these are the exact type of characters that would volunteer to become 'martyrs'. Master of the World is clearly easier to digest, but I don't think that its simplicity ought to be considered a weakness because it works very well for its message. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an old but mostly decent master that was supplied by MGM. At the moment, it is very attractively priced, so if you don't have Master of the World in your collection, consider picking up one. RECOMMENDED.