7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.3 |
During World War II, the USS Haynes, an American destroyer escort discovers a German U-boat in the South Atlantic. A deadly duel between the two ships ensues, and Captain Murrell must draw upon all his experience to defeat the equally experienced German commander.
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Curd Jürgens, David Hedison, Theodore Bikel, Russell CollinsWar | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 2.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
World War II action heads into the open sea in 1957’s “The Enemy Below,” an adaptation of a best-selling novel by Denys Rayner, and directed by respected actor Dick Powell. While the production captures the intensity of conflict between a U.S. destroyer and a German U-boat, it plays up psychological warfare, using a battle of strategy and experience to generate most of its thrills. Powell has an eye for extravaganza, but he’s better with characterization, making sure to dazzle viewers while preserving motivations, creating a more satisfying WWII movie that remains invested in the lives of enemies.
A CinemaScope production, "The Enemy Below" arrives on Blu-ray without the benefit of a recent remaster. The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation looks old and tired, and while production processing and period cinematographic tastes shoo away some detail, the viewing experience remains soft and absent necessary texture. Colors are generally uninspired, with skintones teasing redness and oceanic action lacking a sparkling sense of open water blue. Delineation solidifies repeatedly. Source displays scratching and speckling, looking a little worn out at times. Also of concern is slight horizontal stretching that gently distorts the image.
The 2.0 DTS-HD HD sound mix brings out the bigness of "The Enemy Below," handling the feature's cinematic sway with bold scoring cues, which hold their full sound and instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges are clear and easy to follow, managing accents with pronounced looping. Sound effects come through as intended, delivering boomy explosions and splashy water-based action.
"The Enemy Below" doesn't skimp on battles, periodically sparking to life as the sides exchange gunfire and torpedoes, while depth charges supply most of the suspense, with the Americans trying to locate and destroy the stealthy German U-boat. Powell comes armed with explosions and quick thinking, giving WWII enthusiasts plenty of recreation to salivate over. However, there's more to "The Enemy Below" than simple chases, contributing a satisfying understanding of leadership and sacrifice facing captains unsure if destroying each other is truly necessary.
Special Edition
1958
1954
1976
1953
Warner Archive Collection
1949
2017
2000
1968
1962
Fragile Fox
1956
1960
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1970
1969
1949
Warner Archive Collection
1951
Warner Archive Collection
1962
1942
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1958
2020