7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
Simon Ashby is a wealthy psychotic who is is coddled by his aunt in their palatial mansion outside of London. One day, Ashby's long lost brother mysteriously arrives at the house, but events prove that he is an impostor, sent by Keith Kossett, son of the attorney for the family estate, who has been dipping into the family trust fund.
Starring: Oliver Reed (I), Janette Scott, Sheila Burrell, Maurice Denham, Alexander DavionHorror | 100% |
Mystery | 17% |
Film-Noir | 6% |
Psychological thriller | 5% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Oscar-winning cinematographer and director Freddie Francis' "Paranoiac" (1963) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include optional music and effects track, the film's long-unseen original trailer, as well as Blu-ray-only exclusive of a high-definition stills gallery of rare materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The Face of Fear
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Freddie Francis' Paranoiac arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment.
This is a very strong high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is impressive, clarity very pleasing and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. The color-scheme is also quite remarkable - the variety of different blacks, grays and whites look lush and well saturated. There are no traces of heavy noise alterations; the film's grain structure is very much intact. There are no serious stability issues to report in this review either. On the contrary, blown through a digital projector, the high-definition transfer conveys very pleasing depth and tightness. This being said, I noticed a few minor flecks popping up here and there as well as a few tiny scratches. However, large cuts, marks, or serious damage are nowhere to be seen. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Music DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (only the music and effects). For the record, Eureka Entertainment have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is pleasing. Generally speaking, however, its dynamic amplitude is rather limited - there are only a few truly memorable scenes in the film where the special effects impress. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable and very easy to follow. Additionally, there are no serious balance issues with Elisabeth Lutyens' music score. I also did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review.
Note: All of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are perfectly playable on North American PS3s and SAs.
Music and effects audio track - presented as a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track.
Trailer - long-unseen original trailer for the film. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).
Ephemera - exclusive to the Blu-ray release of Paranoiac selection of original production stills, lobby cards, and posters from 1963. (1080p).
It is terrific to see that the Hammer films are starting to come on Blu-ray. Looking at what the great crew at Eureka Entertainment has done with Freddie Francis' Paranoiac, I can hardly contain my excitement as there is a very large number of these films that I would love to revisit. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed is also Region-Free! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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