The Sword of Granada 3D Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Sword of Granada 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

A fun B-movie made all the more entertaining in 3D

The Sword of Granada (El Corazon y la Espada) is an old fashioned action-adventure about a trio of adventurers on a quest in Mexico. The group find themselves getting into mischief and have a lot of sword swashbuckling duels that test them and lead to their ultimate fates. Produced by Jorge García Besné (The Vengeance of the Vampire Women, Madame Death), The Sword of Granada (El Corazon y la Espada) is notable as the first 3D feature-film ever produced in Mexico. Presented for the first time on Blu-ray as a rarity in the outstanding 3-D Rarities: Volume II collection from Flicker Alley (working with the 3-D Film Archive), the release is a little-seen adventure that is worth a look for genre fans.

The filmmaking on display is undeniably fun, charming, and full of heart and character at the backbone of the production. The storytelling might be a bit inconsistent and the screenplay written by co-director Edward Dein and co-screenwriters Mildred Dein (Shack Out on 101, Calypso Joe) and Rafael Garcia Travesi (The Mummies of Guanajuato, The Treasure of Montezuma) is often outlandish and silly but ultimately the film is a fun diversion and is worth a watch for a weekend matinee. The plot is almost inconsequential to the production as the characters merely zig-zag from one action scene to another (but the actors charm in their respective roles and the energy on display is of vital importance).

The production of The Sword of Granada is an interesting one to consider in that it has some rather compelling elements on display throughout its foundation: a fun score composed by Antonio Díaz Conde (Three Romeos and One Juliet, The Aztec Mummy Against the Humanoid Robot) gives the filmmaking a more upbeat energy while the beautiful black-and-white cinematography by Enrique Wallace (The Adventures of Pito Perez, Creature of the Walking Dead) delivers a visually enthralling experience in 3D.

Directed by Edward Dein (Curse of the Undead, Seven Guns to Mesa) and Carlos Véjar hijo (Aventuras de Cucuruchito y Pinocho, Dos tenorios de barrio), the filmmakers created a fun entertainment which has more than enough action-adventure to keep audiences enthused. The production design by Jorge Fernández (The Children That I Dreamed, Barbarians of the North) manages to be the perfect backdrop to the genre picture. Though the editing by Carlos Savage (The Young and the Damned, King of the Taxi Drivers) could be a bit leaner (and there are moments where things drag somewhat), the end result is a fun and charming trip of peril and suspense with sword duels (as needed). Audiences who enjoy silly B-movie romps will have a good time (and in 3D, no less).

The Sword of Granada 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Sword of Granada (El Corazon y la Espada) is the most impressive presentation on the entire 3-D Rarities: Volume II set. The rare 3D film was meticulously restored with a brand new 4K scan which dramatically improved on the quality of the photography. The image quality is robust throughout the presentation. There are no detrimental signs of print damage or scratches to be found on the print. In one brief sequence, if there is one element to knock-down the score a little on, there is a tiny hair that can be seen on the print, and was likely difficult to remove without the picture-quality in the scene being compromised. This minor inconvenience to the presentation was an anomaly as most of the presentation has silky smooth black and white cinematography, crisp definition, and robust depth. Flicker Alley and 3-D Film Archive should be commended for their excellent efforts in restoration.

The Sword of Granada 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two separate audio options available on the release. The film can be viewed with either the original Spanish language track with English subtitles or dubbed English presentation (with missing portions presented in Spanish with English subtitles). Though the English dub audio sounds okay overall, the original Spanish audio track is much more crisp and robust overall and is the way I recommended viewers experience the film.

The presentation includes optional English (or Spanish) subtitles.

The Sword of Granada 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary on The Sword of Granada (El Corazon y la Espada) featuring author David Wilt and film historian Dr. Robert J. Kiss

The Sword of Granada 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is something remarkably fun about experiencing classic B-movies in 3D. The Sword of Granada (El Corazon y la Espada) is certainly no long-lost classic but it is a charming, entertaining, and fun action-adventure and the filmmaking is heightened by the clever use of 3D throughout. There is no doubt that 3D aficionados will enjoy the experience tremendously. Flicker Alley and the 3-D Film Archive have collaborated on a beautiful new 4K restoration and the presentation appears largely stunning. Don't miss out on this rare gem.