Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie

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Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie United States

Thunderbean Animation | 1943-1946 | 150 min | Not rated | Nov 19, 2015

Private Snafu Golden Classics (Blu-ray Movie), temporary cover art

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List price: $19.95
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Movie rating

7.8
 / 10

Blu-ray rating

Users0.0 of 50.0
Reviewer3.5 of 53.5
Overall3.5 of 53.5

Overview

Private Snafu Golden Classics (1943-1946)

Starring: Mel Blanc
Director: Chuck Jones, Fritz Freleng

Animation100%
Comedy58%
Short51%
WarInsignificant

Specifications

  • Video

    Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
    Video resolution: 1080p
    Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
    Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1

  • Audio

    English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (192 kbps)

  • Subtitles

    None

  • Discs

    25GB Blu-ray Disc
    Single disc (1 BD)

  • Playback

    Region free 

Review

Rating summary

Movie3.5 of 53.5
Video3.5 of 53.5
Audio2.5 of 52.5
Extras2.5 of 52.5
Overall3.5 of 53.5

Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 13, 2016

I grew up with an incredible father who had made the rank of Major General in the Army by the time I was probably 4 or 5, and so I was raised in a family where the military was a part of everyday life and where it was unabashedly and unapologetically honored. One day when I was a bit beyond the toddler stage but still very young, I accompanied my Dad to the fort where he was in charge, where I found the odd inscription “FTA” carved inside the wooden stall of a men’s room I visited. Not knowing any better, I innocently asked my Dad what that acronym meant, and he was obviously not pleased about it, refusing to tell me (if you're not familiar with the acronym, it's probably not appropriate for a young kid to know). The same “f” is part of Snafu, another military acronym that in its “original” state does include the f-bomb, but which in the somewhat bowdlerized world of Private Snafu, becomes “fouled”, so that the phrase referenced is situation normal, all fouled up. While that f-bomb may have been slightly modified, what’s interesting about Private Snafu is how much provocative material actually was offered in this series of “not for the general public” cartoons that typically played to servicemen who were already often either deployed or about to be.


That very envelope pushing is actually alluded to in the very presentation of the title, where it seems for a moment that the f-bomb is going to be dropped. Other at least somewhat unusual elements include a couple of topless women and some caricatures of our World War II nemeses that some modern viewers may find politically incorrect. The Snafu shorts were done by the cream of the crop of Warner animators, including such iconic names as Chuck Jones and Fritz Freleng. They may seem a bit dated in some references today, but they’re often hugely enjoyable and a fascinating window into one corner of our nation’s own quasi-propaganda efforts during the war.


Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality  3.5 of 5

Private Snafu Golden Classics is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Thunderbean Animation with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 1.37:1. This is another sterling effort by the "homegrown" Thunderbean aficionados headed by Steve Stanchfield which proves that even when original (or maybe even best available) elements aren't around to be utilized as sources, that doesn't necessarily mean a botched release. In the somewhat discursive insert booklet, it's mentioned that "most" of these were sourced from 35mm materials housed at the United States National Archives. While these transfers show typical age related wear and tear, including a bit of print-through, and mottling and clouding which rolls through the frame, the overall look of these is extremely commendable and orgainc, with stabilized contrast and decent black levels and a natural looking grain field. Contrast is also very good (if sometimes not at optimal levels) and line detail and general sharpness is generally excellent throughout.


Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality  2.5 of 5

The Dolby Digital 2.0 mono soundtracks offered on this collection are often pretty boxy and marred by little moments of distortion or minor pops and cracks. That said, nothing is overly problematic, and both narration and dialogue within the shorts, as well as those incredibly evocative sound effects that were part of the Warner animation library, come through with decent if never overwhelming force and fidelity.


Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras  2.5 of 5

  • Still Galleries (1080p) are devoted to Magazines and Other Appearances, Original Storyboards and Artwork, Scripts and Storyboards, and Reports from the Field.

  • A Few Quick Facts about Snafu with Jerry Beck (1080p; 3:58) is a nice but way too short overview of Snafu.

  • Making a Snafu Cartoon (1080p; 3:57) offers what was evidently a staged set of scenes supposedly documenting Snafu being animated, from an unused 1944 newsreel (with no actual soundtrack, just appended orchestral music).

  • Commentaries:
  • Fighting Tools by John Kricfalusi
  • The Home Front by Mike Kazaleh
  • Rumors by Eric Goldberg
  • Rumors by Mike Kazaleh
  • Booby Traps by John Kricfalusi
  • Snafuperman by Eric Goldberg
  • Malaria Mike by Eric Goldberg
  • Gas by Eric Goldberg
  • Going Home by Eric Goldberg
  • Censored by Jerry Beck
  • Target Snafu by Jerry Beck
  • Hot Spot by Eric Goldberg
  • No Buddy Atoll by Mark Mayerson
  • Army/Navy Screen Magazine Titles (1080p; 2:37) offer a couple of alternate closing credits.

  • Alternative Soundtrack U.S. Soldier (1080p; 1:34)


Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation  3.5 of 5

The Private Snafu shorts are obviously a product of their time, but when one considers how intimately the United States government must have been involved in their production, they're really quite anarchic and enjoyable, and they include material that would have never shown up in a mass market cartoon of the day. The Thunderbean team has once again provided some pretty impressive restorations, and despite the lossy audio, Private Snafu Golden Classics comes Recommended.


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