7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The true story of Operation Chastise, when in 1943 the RAF's 617 Squadron attacked the Ruhr Dams.
Starring: Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans, Basil Sydney, Patrick BarrWar | 100% |
History | 68% |
Drama | 2% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.75:1
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Effects, Michael Anderson's "The Dam Busters" (1955) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment. The only supplemental feature on the disc is the documentary "Dambusters: 617 Squadron Remember". With optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
The Lancasters
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Michael Anderson's The Dam Busters arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Optimum Home Entertainment.
This is a fairly good high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is pleasing, clarity good and contrast levels mostly stable. It is obvious, however, that meticulous restoration work has not been performed. A variety of small scratches, flecks, debris, and even a couple of small cuts could be seen popping up here and there. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern, but I noticed its presence during a couple of scenes. Additionally, minor noise corrections have been applied, though none of them are too distracting. Fine grain is noticeable but it is never consistent.
Finally, aside from a few shaky frame transitions, there are no serious stability issues to report in this review. All in all, even though there are a couple of minor issues with the presentation, The Dam Busters actually looks quite good, even surprisingly fresh. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0 For the record, Optimum Home Entertainment have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
I must say that it is great to see that for this SE Blu-ray release of The Dam Busters Optimum Home Entertainment have offered optional English subtitles. They are of great help, and we hope that all of their future catalog releases will offer them as well.
The English LPCM 2.0 track is pleasing. Its dynamic amplitude is fairly limited, but the dialog is mostly stable and free of hiss and crackle. I also did not detect any disturbing pops or problematic dropouts to report in this review. During the bombings the bass does feel somewhat weak, but I believe that this is an inherited limitation. Leighton Lucas' music score sounds good.
Dambusters: 617 Squadron Remember - a fascinating documentary about the famous attack on the Mohne dams in Germany during WW2. Max Arthur, author of "Dambusters", and war veterans who participated in the notorious attack of the German dams comment on the event, the invention of the "bouncing bomb", etc. The documentary contains an abundance of archival footage. In English, not subtitled. (57 min, PAL).
I enjoyed Michael Anderson's The Dam Busters quite a lot. Through their partnership with French distributors Studio Canal, Optimum Home Entertainment now have access to a number of classic British films, which I hope will make it to Blu-ray. The disc herein reviewed looks and sounds good. It is, however, Region-B "locked". RECOMMENDED.
1955
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1955
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1955
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1962
50th Anniversary Edition
1964
1977
2014
Premium Collection
1965
Into the White
2012
Special Edition | Sony Collector's Edition #17
1989
2020
Extended Japanese Cut
1970
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Indigènes
2006
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1967
2012
1949
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1961