7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Michael Marler, a successful business man in London, is about to make his way to the top. The death of his father brings him - after 37 years - back to his hometown Liverpool, where he is confronted with his lost Irish roots. He finds out that his father died because of a fight with some anglo-saxon teddy boys. It becomes "a matter of honour" for him, to take his revenge without involving the British police.
Starring: Nicol Williamson, Rachel Roberts (I), Ann Bell, Zena Walker, Paul RogersDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.75:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.75:1
English: LPCM Mono
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Jack Gold's "The Reckoning" (1970) 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 video interview with actor Tom Kempinski; new video interview with second assistant dierctor Joe Marks; new program with film historian Matthew Sweet; and a collection of original promotional materials. The release also arrives with a 30-page illustrated booklet featuring Michael Pattison's essay "Pheasants and Predators, Victims and Peasants"; Kenneth Tynan's "Nicol Williamson and John McGrath; a collection of quotes from interviews with Jack Gold; a collection of extracts from director Jack Gold's personal collection of press cuttings; and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The Irishman
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.75:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jack Gold's The Reckoning arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.
The release is sourced from a dated source, likely some type of a remaster that might have been prepared sometime during the DVD era. Unfortunately, it is also a very uneven, at times even problematic remaster. For example, large portions of the film can look quite flat while elsewhere there is footage that occasionally can look even borderline smeary. To be perfectly clear, there are some density fluctuations that are part of the original cinematography, but it quickly becomes very obvious that the remaster is in fact responsible for the overall flatness of the image. Furthermore, there is plenty of quite distracting edge halos (see screencaptures #15 and 17), and in some cases the end result essentially evolves into edge-enhancement (see screencapture #3). The effects can be quite annoying on mid-size screens, and on large screens they can be seriously distracting. Grain is not properly exposed and resolved. Again, there are various fluctuations that you will notice and they are definitely not inherited. The color palette is quite weak as well. There are a few decent primaries, but it is obvious that there are entire ranges of nuances that are lost and that the overall balance is off. Image stability is good. There are no large damage marks, cuts, or torn frames, but minor specks and blemishes can be spotted. All in all, this film desperately needs a fresh restoration, or at least a decent new remaster, so that it looks acceptable in high-definition. (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 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.
Stability is good, but in different parts of the film the audio can become quite 'thin'. During mass scenes with plenty of organic sounds and noises clarity also becomes somewhat problematic; even balance can be less than optimal. On the other hand, it is quite easy to tell that the original sound design isn't great, so there are definitely native limitations that contribute to the fluctuations. Ultimately, if the audio is fully remastered there should be some noticeable improvements. (It is great that the release has optional subtitles because in some parts it is actually quite difficult to hear exactly what is being said).
Nicol Williamson's character, Michael Marler, is like one of those giant rolling fireballs that Roman soldiers used to intimidate and destroy their rivals -- he can't be stopped and when he hits the other side instantly feels the pain. Incredible performance, really. The Reckoning is a superb addition to Indicator/Powerhouse Films' catalog, but unfortunately the master that Sony Pictures provided for the Blu-ray release is quite problematic. In order to look as good as it should the film needs to be fully restored, or at least remastered, because at the moment what is available simply isn't suitable for a proper Blu-ray release. Perhaps if you find the Blu-ray release heavily discounted you can consider a purchase, but otherwise go for a rental.
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