7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An idealistic rookie cop joins the LAPD to make ends meet while finishing law school, and is indoctrinated by a seasoned veteran. As time goes on, he loses his ambitions and family as police work becomes his entire life.
Starring: George C. Scott, Stacy Keach, Jane Alexander, Scott Wilson, Rosalind CashDrama | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Richard Fleischer's "The New Centurions" (1972) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new documentary from Robert Fischer featuring interviews writer Joseph Wambaugh, actors Stacey Keach and Richard E. Kalk; and archival Super 8mm version of the film. Also included with this release is a 24-page illustrated booklet featuring Nick Pinkerton's essay "The New Centurions"; Jeff Billington's "The New Centurions - Critical Response: From Page to Screen"; Precinct 45/Los Angeles - Production Notes; and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The rookie
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Richard Fleischer's The New Centurions arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.
The release has been sourced from the same master that Carlotta Films accessed when they prepared their release of The New Centurions for the French market. This master was prepared by prepared by Sony Pictures in the United States. Unsurprisingly, these releases look identical. I did some direct comparisons but I could not see any notable discrepancies to report in our reviews. Depth and clarity remain pleasing, but it is not difficult to see that there is some room for improvement. Density in particular could be better, though the entire film has a very gritty appearance and some of the obvious fluctuations that can be spotted are actually not inherited (during the darker street footage these fluctuations are part of the original cinematography). The best is news is that there are no traces of recent problematic digital adjustments. So, even though some traces of aging can be spotted, the film does have a consistent organic appearance. Colors are stable and appear natural, though almost certainly saturation and balance can be improved. There are no distracting large cuts, damage marks, debris, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
There are no technical issues to report. However, because the film has a very fluid organic sound design, some minor balance and dynamic fluctuations occasionally emerge (mostly during the street footage). The dialog is stable and easy to follow. There are no pops, audio dropouts, or digital distortions to report.
It is pretty odd to see that this gritty thriller from the '70s can so accurately identify the main issues that complicate the ever-evolving relationship between the men and women in uniform and the people they are protecting, and understand the tremendous pressure they endure while doing their jobs and trying to stay alive. It is odd because this type of objectivity cannot possibly exist in the current political climate. It would be instantly destroyed by political activists and various other players with far-reaching agendas. The release is sourced from a master that was prepared by Sony Pictures in the United States, and even though there is some room for improvement the film looks quite good in high-definition. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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