Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Stingray Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 1, 2022

Richard Taylor's "Stingray" (1978) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Dark Force Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive audio commentary and video interview with Richard Taylor; new interviews with Bert Hinchman, Les Lannom, and Sherry Jackson; music video; and more. In English, without optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The crew

I have to respectfully disagree with a few of the claims Richard Taylor produces in the exclusive new interview he recorded for Dark Force Entertainment’s release of the newly reconstructed, never-before-seen Director’s Cut of his film Stingray because it is too obvious to me that his criticism of his work isn’t always on target. I understand why Taylor feels as he does. All these years later he is viewing Stingray with a completely different set of professional eyes that instantly identify all sorts of ‘amateurish flaws’ to him, which is a very common case of perfectionism. However, these are not the same eyes Taylor relied on when he began working on Stingray, so as odd as it may sound, they do not see what he saw in 1978. Isn’t this the crux of Taylor’s lengthy criticism? No, and I don’t think that Taylor realizes that it is so. A lot of the rough spots in Stingray are actually essential for its identity -- which by the way is the very reason why the Director’s Cut is such a gem, because the reconstruction brings back more of them -- and these spots combine rough camera work and rough acting.

Additionally, Taylor admits that his initial concept for Stingray evolved quite dramatically once Hollywood talent was brought on board, which is why the film he wanted to shoot never materialized. (Apparently, Taylor had some good friends that were supposed to be cast for a couple of the main parts, but this plan very quickly fell apart after the local producers he became involved with realized the potential of his film). Obviously, it is difficult to comment on a film that does not exist, but the film that does exist most definitely isn’t the creative compromise Taylor addresses. Indeed, it is a very nicely directed time capsule, but of the kind that effectively preserves loose attitudes and manners rather than unique chunks of 1970s reality.

In Stingray the action is everything. This statement in no way implies that the characterizations are meaningless, but it is the action that quickly shapes them and then directs their evolution. It is also the action that maintains the balance between the light humor and equally light drama.

The fireworks begin immediately after Lonigan (William Watson) and his partner Tony (Bert Hinchman) fumble a supposedly easy drug deal and are forced to run away with the product they have been trying to sell plus a million bucks. At a local car dealership, they hide both in a brand new red Stingray, not realizing that the car has already been sold. A few hours later, the police pick them up, but then promptly release them. On the way out of the Police Department, they reunite with their wanted leader, Abigail (Sherry Jackson), disguised as a nun and carrying a gun, and together come up with a perfect plan to recover their stash and disappear without a trace. They pick up the fourth member of the crew, Roscoe (Cliff Emmich), at his apartment.

But recovering the stash from the Stingray proves to be an extremely challenging task after its clueless new owners, Elmo (Les Lannom) and Al (Christopher Mitchum), quickly realize that the bad guys that are shooting at them are not trying to steal their precious Stingray.

The other film from 1978 that featured a stylish Stingray, Corvette Summer, enjoyed a much more elaborate promotional campaign and nowadays is unquestionably the better known one. But I honestly do not think that it turned out a superior film. It is why I decided to publicly disagree with a few of Taylor’s claims from his exclusive interview. While not a genre masterpiece, his film is very fast and loose, often very, very funny too, which is basically what these types of genre projects needed to be to appear legit.

Stingray Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Stingray arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Dark Force Entertainment.

The release offers a brand new reconstruction of the film that was sourced from the only surviving 35mm print. Naturally, the quality of the presentation isn't comparable to what you would usually get from a 2K or 4K scan of the original camera negative or an interpositive. However, the reconstruction still looks very, very good and provides the film with a solid organic appearance. For example, delineation, clarity and depth are consistently very pleasing, and in many areas actually on par with what I would expect to see from a solid new 2K master. Yes, grain exposure varies and there are a few areas where minor traces of ageing are easy to spot. Also, in darker areas some finer nuances are not as convincing as they need to be. But close-ups and wider panoramic shots still look very good, and because density levels are solid all visuals hold up very nicely even on a very big screen. Color balance is convincing, but ideally saturation levels should be better. Given the nature of the reconstruction, however, I would say that this is an unavoidable limitation. (To regrade the entire reconstruction, while relying only on the aged 35mm print, would have been a completely different project). Image stability is good. A few large cue marks and blemishes that are retained, but there are no warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Stingray Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are not provided for the main feature.

The dynamic range of the lossless track isn't as good as it could be, but this is yet another limitation of the reconstruction that was completed for Stingray. This being said, I think that the original soundtrack has its fair share of native limitations as well, most of which become quite noticeable during the many action sequences. The dialog is stable, but because of a few uneven spots you will likely notice that a couple of exchanges can be a bit difficult to follow. Naturally, I think that optional English SDH subtitles should have been included.

Stingray Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this exclusive new audio commentary, director Richard Taylor goes down memory lane and explains how Stingray was conceived and shot in Edwardsville, Illinois; how different actors behaved and improvised during the filming process; where and how key sequences were shot; how his original concept for the film evolved; etc. There are some interesting comments about the reconstruction of the Director's Cut of the film as well.

• Interview with Richard Taylor - in this exclusive new video interview, Richard Taylor explains how his original concept of Stingray changed after big Hollywood actors were brought on board, and discusses some interesting changes that were made as production was initiated, specific cuts that were made to meet the distributor's requirements, a legal dispute about the title of the film, etc. It is a very interesting interview. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Interview with Sherry Jackson - in this exclusive new video interview, co-star Sherry Jackson discusses the unhinged character she plays in Stingray and how some key action sequences were shot. There are some interesting comments about the male actors that were around her as well. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Interview with Bert Hinchman - in this exclusive new video interview, co-star Bert Hinchman recalls what it was like working with Richard Taylor and the rest of the principal actors in Stingray. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Interview with Les Lannom - in this exclusive new video interview, co-star Les Lannom recalls his involvement with Stingray, how a few key action sequences were shot, and some risky choices he made while the camera was rolling. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Trailer - a newly remastered vintage trailer for Stingray. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Edwardsville Slideshow - a collection of archival production and promotional stills featuring key locations from Edwardsville, Illinois, where Stingray was shot. With music. (10 min).

• Music Video - Richard Taylor made this brand new video for Jerry Riopelle's tune "Hi Gear", which is heard multiple times throughout Stingray. (3 min).

• Audio Recording - presented here is the cleanest version of Jerry Riopelle's tune "Hi Gear", taken from the remastered film. (6 min).

• Q&A Session - presented here is a Q&A session with Richard Taylor and cast members that was filmed after a screening of Stingray at Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, Illinois, in 2019. In English, not subtitled. (48 min).

Stingray Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Stingray turned out to be exactly the type of fast, loose, and very funny vintage action film I hoped it could be. I gather from the new interview and audio commentary director Richard Taylor recorded that the exact type of polished genre film he wanted to make did not materialize, but I think that he is a bit too critical of his work. The newly remastered and reconstructed Director's Cut of Stingray that is offered on this release is a very fine and authentic time capsule, so I doubt I would have liked more the 'better' film he addresses. In fact, if Stingray was as fine-tuned as the other much better known film from 1978 that features a stylish red racer, it is guaranteed that I would have been underwhelmed by it. Kudos to Dark Force Entertainment for making it available on Blu-ray. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.