Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio | | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
Ten Seconds to Hell Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 18, 2015
Not only is 1959’s “Ten Seconds to Hell” a genuine nail-biter, but it manages to find another corner of WWII history to explore, pulling emphasis away from the Allied effort in Europe to explore tensions in Germany during the initial phases of reconstruction. Adapted from a Lawrence P. Bachmann book and directed by Robert Aldrich (“The Longest Yard,” “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”), the feature hands viewers a unique perspective, tracking the conflicts and confusion of six disgraced German soldiers who’ve accepted a bomb disposal detail that seldom permits a happy ending. It’s a flipside of wartime honor and duty that isn’t frequently explored, observing the shell-shocked reaction of traditional enemies now in charge of piecing together a shattered country.
There’s a great deal of hand-holding narration to get the audience up to speed, making it crystal clear that this pack of six Germans, including Eric (Jack Palance) and Karl (Jeff Chandler), were anti-Nazi types, with their only military option being the bomb-disposal unit -- a detail littered with dead soldiers doing their best to protect what’s left of the public. A wager is made, with all men agreeing to pool their money for the last man standing, taking turns as fuses are carefully removed from massive explosives, finding each moment simmering with thinly contained panic. Drama emerges from the bet, which puts pressure on performance as the weeks carry on. There’s also a female distraction, in the form of Margot (Martine Carol), who widens the divide between Eric and Karl as emotions are exposed and accidents begin to kill off the men.
Ten Seconds to Hell Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Remastered for its Blu-ray debut, "Ten Seconds to Hell" boasts an impressive AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Fine detail is especially welcome here, capturing facial particulars even away from sweaty close-ups, while set design and bombed-out locations retain a superior texture that sustains the haunted tone of the effort. Black and white cinematography is balanced and secure, offering ideal delineation. Grain is managed to satisfaction, preserving a filmic appearance. Print is in terrific shape, with only some minor speckling encountered.
Ten Seconds to Hell Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix brings out suspense with healthy dialogue exchanges, keeping tension high with defined emotions and contained extremes. Scoring has moments of pronunciation, but remains supportive throughout, carrying dramatic surges comfortably. Atmospherics with desolate locations are evocative, and sound effects, from bomb blasts to the careful twisting of metal, are defined. Hiss is detected, but never distracting.
Ten Seconds to Hell Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- A Theatrical Trailer (2:15, HD) is included.
Ten Seconds to Hell Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Vulnerabilities are acceptable but hardly necessary in "Ten Seconds to Hell," which remains in top form during disarming sequences -- moments of meticulous duty that carry tremendous anxiety. Suspense is key here, not flimsy romantic ways, which throttle suspense instead of encouraging pace. Still, this is sharp work from Aldrich, who delivers a hearty sense of panic and tone of dread that keeps "Ten Seconds to Hell" on target, working its way to an impressively macabre and masculine finale.
