Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Neptune Factor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 13, 2017

1973’s “The Neptune Factor” takes viewers into the depths of the ocean on a rescue mission that encounters its share of fantasy challenges and enormous amounts of exploration. It’s meant to be engrossing escapism, showcasing actors concentrating on the moment, attempting to turn some crude filmmaking magic into a pulse-pounding ride of bizarre discoveries. Intention is there on the screen, often carried along single-handedly by co-star Ernest Borgnine, but “The Neptune Factor” can be quite ridiculous if one doesn’t buy into the special effects wizardry on display. Its cheesiness is pronounced, making any viewing of the effort a game of stifling laughs and battling yawns, as director Daniel Petrie is so enamored with his submersibles, he forgets to build an engaging thriller, with long stretches of the feature devoted to characters staring out of windows, trying to project a feeling of awe the picture doesn’t inspire.

Down in the Atlantic Ocean, a team of scientists and grunts take care of daily business on the OceanLab II, a sea base located near a dark abyss. Mack (Ernest Borgnine) runs the show, managing men with all kinds of temperaments and deep-seated fears, trying to remain on schedule for the ship Triton, which is home to Dr. Andrews (Walter Pidgeon) and Dr. Jansen (Yvette Mimieux), who conduct experiments and keep up research on discoveries made below. When an earthquake rocks the OceanLab II, the cracked sea floor sends the base into the abyss, taking with it a team of employees who only have seven days of air. Struggling to organize a rescue effort into the unknown, Mack can’t do it alone, requiring the services of the Neptune, a modern submersible capable of examining the wreckage. Piloted by Commander Blake (Ben Gazzara), the Neptune is tasked with photographing damage for insurance purposes, but with Mack and Jansen onboard, the mission turns into a rescue operation, and one that makes a special discovery as it visits depths previously untouched by man.

“The Neptune Factor” isn’t strictly a monsters-of-the-deep picture, delaying the discovery of enormous sea creatures until the last act, though marketing materials promise underwater battles throughout the entire feature. Instead of terror, the film tries to win over viewers with scenes of discovery, taking in daily activities of the OceanLab II, a smallish home to divers working on Triton projects. Mack is the big guy at the center of it all, trying to manage men getting a little antsy with isolation, dealing with violent interactions and one employee with claustrophobia. The screenplay sets up the mechanics of OceanLab II and its relationship to the Triton before disaster strikes, finding Mack on the surface when the earthquake hits, motivating him to push for rescue efforts, which is met with a collective shrug. Instead of genre oddity, most of “The Neptune Factor” plays it relatively simple, positioning Mack in panic mode, facing a ticking clock of seven days before all hope is lost.

“The Neptune Factor” strains to be considered a special effects extravaganza, with the arrival of Blake and the Neptune taking the mission into an abyss, where strange discoveries are about to be made. However, to arrive a position of exploration, Petrie spends an enormous amount of time on procedural details and travel, trying to wow audiences with the sheer idea of oceanic inspection, following the submersible around the depths of the ocean. Production cash wasn’t spent on underwater cinematography, with most Neptune excursions clearly looking like a miniature puttering through a fish tank, diluting any chance of a rousing payoff.

“The Neptune Factor” isn’t inept, but it has strange priorities, taking a slow ride down to the OceanLab II remains, taking in every inch of the journey. Characterization could strengthen such a delay tactic, but the screenplay doesn’t venture beyond cliché, pitting Mack’s blunt nobility against Blake’s steely professionalism, finding the commander opposed to a rescue mission, only driving his futuristic machine to photograph damage for insurance purposes. A battle of wills is established, goosed some by Jansen’s impulsiveness, with her emotional connection to OceanLab II clouding judgment, pushing the Neptune into deeper waters, which commences newfound concern for power sources and timing, keeping the effort argumentative when it isn’t highlighting travel. Performances grow repetitive, especially Gazzara, who offer no variation on his hardened character, which contrasts poorly with Borgnine’s more excitable take on cinematic desperation, finding their conflicts lacking in vitality.

The Neptune Factor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation does "The Neptune Factor" justice, preserving a satisfying amount of detail to help the feature and its bizarre take on fantasy and horror. Sharpness runs up against period cinematography, but it remains textured and dimensional, handling deep sea distances and set decoration, while facial particulars (close-ups are prized by the production) are available for study. Colors show life, taking in blue waters and brighter sets, with primaries healthy and skintones natural. Hues on sea creatures are also compelling. Delineation is crisp. Grain is managed. Source is in excellent shape, without significant points of damage.

The Neptune Factor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix has some significant responsibilities to big screen magic, mixing elements as the action heads underwater. Atmospherics are enjoyable, providing the feeling of cramped spaces and ocean depth, while sound effects are clean and purposeful, adding to the strangeness of the environment. Dialogue exchanges are enjoyable, with performance attitude secured, along with intelligibility with radio communication. Scoring sounds fresh, with pleasing instrumentation, supporting dramatic moods and violent encounters.

The Neptune Factor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Paul Corupe and Jason Pichonsky.

• Theatrically Released Isolated Score & F/X Track by Lalo Schifrin.

• Never-Before-Released Isolated Score Track by William McCauley.

• T.V. Featurette (8:24, SD) is a brief summary of production achievements, with narration attempting to sell the filming of "The Neptune Factor" as an industry-changing event. Interviews with cast and crew are stuck in salesman mode, but BTS footage is valuable, offering a look at location shooting and set design, with the actors working to sell Neptune interiors as the future of deep sea travel.

• Animated Montage of Images (6:58) collects interesting BTS pictures, which showcase model work, and publicity images.

• T.V. Spot #1 (:53, SD) and #2 (1:01, SD) are offered.

• And a Teaser Trailer (1:02, SD) and Theatrical Trailer (3:02, SD) are included.

The Neptune Factor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Neptune Factor" eventually makes it into the abyss, encountering a kingdom of monstrous sea life that threatens to gobble up the submersible, rudely ending the rescue mission. Instead of following genre expectations for ghoulish creations, the production merely uses everyday fish and crustaceans to stand-in for devils from the deep, attempting to dazzle viewers with a peek into…the average aquarium. Scoring efforts from Lalo Schifrin strive to turn average fish behavior into killer instinct, but all Petrie can do is fuss with editing, turning casual swimming into a flurry of violence. It's ridiculous, making the 1973 feature look like it was made in 1953, with bathtub heroics standing in for inventive special effects. Even those with profound admiration for model work may find themselves chuckling at Petrie's conception of an oceanic nightmare, which is perhaps why the film takes forever to arrive at the colossal creature discovery. "The Neptune Factor" starts off with a mild sense of wonder, but it closes with pure absurdity, keeping the viewing experience reserved only for those with the utmost patience for B-movie construction.