6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Jewel thief Jack Rhodes, a.k.a. "Jack of Diamonds," is masterminding a heist of $30 million worth of uncut gems. He also has his eye on lovely Gillian Bromley, who becomes a part of the gang he is forming to pull off the daring robbery. Chief Inspector Cyril Willis from Scotland Yard, however, is blackmailing Gillian, threatening her with prosecution on another theft if she doesn't cooperate in helping him bag the elusive Rhodes, the last jewel in his crown before the Chief Inspector formally retires from duty.
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Lesley-Anne Down, David Niven, Timothy West, Joss AcklandCrime | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (224 kbps)
English, English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Rough Cut had a rough go of it in its production, featuring a veritable merry-go-round of writers and directors attached to the film and working on it in some form or another. The film's legacy is more one of infamy than fame, well known in cinema circles for the problems it encountered on the way from concept to screen. The end product is certainly a watchable picture, a testament in large part of Burt Reynolds' screen presence and charisma being able to salvage something from a sinking ship, but there is no mistaking that the film as it was finally released fails to live up to the obvious potential within the framework narrative that winds up on the screen.
Rough Cut looks brilliant. The picture teeters on perfection, revealing superb blacks right out of the gate during a nighttime party intro. The transition to the opening tile sequence sees a mild reduction in black depth (and overall clarity) but afterward the film proper looks incredible in this area, holding excellent black accuracy and shadow detail. Additional colors, like some garbage trucks at the 27-minute mark, various examples of clothes, high end furnishings, and the like, are splendidly honest and pleasant. Whites are crisp (though the opening titles are very creamy and flat) and skin tones look to be right on the money. Detail is excellent. Facial features are tack-sharp and clothing is likewise naturally revealing Environments are crisp and intricate details are revealed for all they're worth in the original film structure and the Blu-ray resolution. A fine layer of attractive natural grain is also present, helping to bridge that seamless gap from movie theater to home theater. There are a few pops and speckles here and there which represent the only real downside to the image. There are no encode issues to report. Fans are going to be delighted!
Paramount brings Rough Cut to Blu-ray with a perfectly proper DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The film's sonic needs are fairly static and uninteresting. This is a dialogue driven film with little more beyond basic supportive effects, so the two-channel construct suits the material just fine. The dialogue is very clear and robust with lifelike cadence and natural front-center placement; listeners won't realize that the center channel is not active. Music plays with good stretch and fullness. Clarity is very good as it finds its way to the farthest reaches of the stage's front side. Supportive atmospheric cues are nicely integrated, lacking, of course, immersion but doing well to set the scene for width and clarity alike. That's about all there is to this one. It's a very good track that thrives both under the limits of the two-channel structure and the rather tame original sound design work.
This Blu-ray release of Rough Cut contains one extra. Filmmaker Focus: Leonard Maltin on 'Rough Cut' (1080p, 6:58) features the acclaimed filmmaker discussing Reynolds' stardom and influence on the film landscape, script problems and the revolving door of crew, the film's endings, Lesley-Anne Down's work on the film, the chemistry between the leads, David Niven's role, the film's title, the end result, and more. This release is the 33rd in the "Paramount Presents" line and includes the slipcover with fold-open poster artwork. A digital copy code is also included with purchase.
Rough Cut is more of an affable curiosity than it is a good film. Its legacy is one of a revolving door of writers and directors and the finished product certainly reflects a lack of narrative cohesion and structural vision, but credit Reynolds, even lacking chemistry with his co-star, for squeezing just enough charm and screen presence to make the movie a worthwhile watch, even if audiences will be left lamenting what might have been. This "Paramount Presents" line release includes one extra, but the video and audio presentations are very good. Worth a look.
I quattro dell'Ave Maria
1968
1989
1989
1966
1950
1974
1976
1985
1992
1975
1984
H. Fleet, Robber
1971
1969
Limited Edition to 3000
1972
Warner Archive Collection
1976
1987
1980
The Diamond Mercenaries
1976
Limited Edition to 3000
1976
1978