7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A young man who is charged with child molestation is placed in New York City's infamous Tombs prison. When the other inmates in his cell block find out what he is charged with, life becomes extremely difficult for him.
Starring: Bruce Davison, Curtis Mayfield, Jose Perez (II), Nathan George, Don BlakelyDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
1977’s “Short Eyes” is an ambitious film that puts the viewer in a troubling position of judgment. An adaptation of the Miguel Pinero play, the movie brings a collection of uneasy characters and impossible situations to the screen in a theatrical manner, contrasting the imposing prison location with broad but penetrative performances, while still preserving Pinero’s sting. It’s a heroic directorial effort from Robert M. Young, who manages to capture character idiosyncrasies while sustaining an atmosphere of doom as Clark, a young child molester (Bruce Davidson), receives the full force of inmate intimidation as he begins his sentence.
The AVC encoded (1.78:1 aspect ratio) image presentation does the best it can with a relatively obscure, low-budget title released 40 years ago. Black levels display some mild solidification due to cinematographic limitations, and softness dominates. Detail is reasonable, best with close-ups and the rusty interiors of the prison. Ragged costuming also provides welcome textures. Colors are stable, with adequate primaries in a movie that doesn't favor a bold palette. Speckling is present, but overt damage is largely absent.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also swims upstream with aged elements, finding dialogue exchanges thick, with a few charged interactions smothered by atmospherics. Performances remain accessible, with a steady emotional range and adequate navigation of accents. Soundtrack cuts lack crisp instrumentation, but remain discernible. Hiss is present throughout the feature.
It's a difficult film to process, especially when there's a question of Clark's actual guilt, leading viewers through surges of condemnation that fuel the finer points of drama in the picture. The cast is up for the challenge, and while select members of the ensemble try to hit the back row with their performances, the majority finds a pulse of unrest and accusation that ripples throughout the movie. "Short Eyes" is raw and hostile, but also sensitive to the inner workings of the characters, making their ultimate journey all the more harrowing.
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