7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.4 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
A counter espionage agent investigates the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.
Starring: Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Sue Lloyd, Gordon JacksonDrama | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (224 kbps)
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Elegantly-dressed, sharp-witted, and quick with the gun agents get involved in a complex game of cat and mouse in Sidney J. Furie’s old-fashioned spy thriller “The Ipcress File” (1965). The film was produced by the legendary Harry Salzman who during the same year “The Ipcress File” premiered put the finishing touches on the now classic Bond extravaganza “Thunderball” (1965). Courtesy of UK-based distributors ITV DVD.
Agent Harry Palmer
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-2, and granted a 1080p transfer Sidney J. Furie's The Ipcress File arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors ITV DVD.
There is a substantial difference in quality between Anchor Bay's old DVD release and ITV's Blu-ray release. Contrast, color reproduction, and clarity are notably better on the Blu-ray release. It is fairly obvious that a lot of the specks and debris that are present on the DVD release have been removed as well. Grain is visible, but there is quite a bit of noise that is mixed with it. A lot of it seems to be popping up during the outdoor daylight scenes, and I assume that the larger your screen is, the easier it will be for you to notice it. Still, it never actually becomes overly distracting. Depth is decent, but it could be better. Image stability is very good. Colors are stable and natural, though saturation can be more convincing. Finally, image stability is very good. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release which you will be able to play on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English Dolby Digital 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.
Both tracks do a fairly good job of capturing the spirit of this film. The music soundtrack, in particular, comes off the speakers very nicely. There is nothing really excessive in The Ipcress File, so more or less the audio tracks provided by ITV seem rather adequate. I did some random comparisons between the two, and to be honest I did not detect a huge gap in quality. There is slightly more movement in the rear channels on the 5.1 track, but nothing that would enhance your viewing experience dramatically. The dialog is clear and very easy to follow. Lastly, I did not detect any pops, cracks, or hiss to report here.
Unfortunately, aside from a gallery of stills and the original theatrical trailer for The Ipcress File there is absolutely nothing else to be found on this Blu-ray disc.
An entertaining spy-thriller with an appealing story, Sidney J. Furie' The Ipcress File arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of ITV DVD. Unlike what a number of reviews state, the transfer provided by the British distributors is not only far from being disappointing, it is actually a substantial improvement over previous DVD releases. Practically everything on the Blu-ray looks and sounds better. RECOMMENDED.
1967
1982
Masters of Cinema
1965
Vintage Classics
1953
1966
1969
1959
2008
Premium Collection
1964
Indicator Series
1968
2014
1961
2013
10th Anniversary Edition
2011
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1948
2010
1936
Premium Collection
1966
Arrow Academy
1962
2018