7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Murphy is the sole survivor of his crew, that has been massacred by a German U-Boat in the closing days of World War II. He plots vengence somewhere on the river Orinoco delta, assisted by Louie, the local Government Administrator.
Starring: Peter O'Toole, Siān Phillips, Philippe Noiret, Horst Janson, John HallamWar | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: LPCM Mono
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Peter O'Toole shares a somewhat dubious record with Glenn Close for the most Academy Award nominations with no win (O'Toole was feted with a so-called "Honorary Oscar" for his lifetime achievements, something that has yet to be bestowed upon Close). O'Toole's many nominations frequently featured his penchant for playing eccentrics, whether that be T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, King Henry II in both Becket and The Lion in Winter, Mr. Chipping in Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Jack Gurney in The Ruling Class or Alan Swann in My Favorite Year. Even some of O'Toole's less celebrated performances, like Lord Jim and this particular outing, offer the actor in sometimes hyperbolic mode, and in fact some of the supplements included on this release at least allude to O'Toole's evidently well known reputation for often being out of control, which somewhat hilariously reportedly led to his then wife Siān Phillips being hired as his co-star, with perhaps a bit of implied babysitting thrown in for good measure.
Murphy's War is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.37:1. Arrow's insert booklet only contains some pretty basic information on the transfer, as follows:
Murphy's War is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 [sic] with original mono audio.Aside from the just slightly wider aspect ratio offered on this release, the color timing overall of Arrow's version is a bit different from the Indicator release linked to above. Judging only by screenshots (I don't have the Indicator release), it looks to me like that version is a bit yellower and brighter, while this version has a tendency more toward purplish-blue as well as a somewhat darker look. I actually like the less bright appearance of this version, again based solely on screenshots, as it seems to help with at least the perception of suffusion. Some tones, especially greens, struck my eyes as looking more natural in this version than the Indicator version, as well (contrast the foliage next to the explosion in screenshot 3 of this review with screenshot 18 of Svet's review of the Indicator release for just one example). There's some kind of hilariously inartful rear projection utilized for some of O'Toole's flying scenes, where the resolution of the Blu-ray clearly shows the "seams", but aside from baked in deficits like that, the bulk of this presentation offers really secure detail levels. Grain resolves naturally throughout.
The master was supplied by Paramount Pictures.
Murphy's War features a nicely robust sounding LPCM Mono track. The film features a lot of seaplane material and that allows for both some rumbly sound effects as well as soaring interludes for John Barry and Ken Thorne's score. There are explosions and gunfire at various points as well which allow for brief moments of lower frequency energy. Dialogue is mostly rendered cleanly and clearly, though any issues in that regard are due to O'Toole's decision to make his character really Irish (as is addressed in a supplement, he's a bit variant in this regard, so certain lines are read with his more precise "normal" diction). Optional English subtitles are available.
Murphy's War makes the none too subtle point that not only is war hell, it's sometimes at least arguably no longer necessary, as evidenced by the fact that Murphy keeps up his hostilities even after the Germans have surrendered. This is kind of a bizarre film on any number of levels, some of which are addressed in a really interesting package of supplements. Technical merits are generally solid, and with caveats noted, Murphy's War comes Recommended.
Special Edition
1958
1944
Saboteur: Code Name Morituri | Limited Edition to 3000
1965
Grand Illusion
1937
Die Brücke
1959
Ива́ново де́тство / Ivanovo detstvo
1962
野火 / Nobi
1959
Иди и смотри / Idi i smotri
1985
ビルマの竪琴 | Biruma no tategoto | 4K restoration
1956
1970
1954
Limited Edition to 3000
1969
1953
1942
Jeux interdits
1952
1968
1969
Pasqualino Settebellezze
1975
Limited Edition / Import
1940
1975