War-Gods of the Deep Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

War-Gods of the Deep Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 10, 2015

Endeavoring to become Disney-style entertainment, 1965’s “War-Gods of the Deep” (a.k.a. “City Under the Sea”) does an impressive job matching the dramatic flatness of the company’s live-action entertainment, but its spectacle needs some work. Starring Vincent Price, Tab Hunter, Susan Hart, and David Tomlinson, “War-Gods of the Deep” is a passable plunge into a mysterious underwater realm, offering monsters and impending volcanic disaster, but it’s clear that a limited budget is in place, keeping the production on a tight leash while the story details Earth-splitting events and oceanic chases.

Director Jacques Tourneur works with what he’s been given in “War-Gods of the Deep,” trying to generate a widescreen experience that plays up mystery and threat, using a few towering sets to conjure a mood of exploration. The cast is game as well, working overtime to sell conflicts and suspense, with Price well-versed in making something out of nothing. Played seriously, and “War-Gods of the Deep” is compelling. However, there’s comedy to contend with, offering a chicken in a supporting role, and Tourneur doesn’t ignore it, often using the bird to inspire physical comedy and jokey reaction shots. It provides a lightness the movie doesn’t need.

War-Gods of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation holds clarity throughout, with encouraging sharpness that delivers a proper look at design achievements and sets, while facial particulars are detailed with impressive textures. Primaries are preserved, with an emphasis on reds and greens that retain potency and stability. Skintones are natural. Delineation has its challenges, but distances are largely accessible, while frame information is never threatened. Source is in fine shape, with only a few scratches and minor speckling detected. Underwater encounters display thicker, more prevalent vertical scratches, and recycled footage shows wear and tear.

War-Gods of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix sustains the mood of adventure, offering energetic scoring that lacks precise instrumentation but emerges with a supportive spirit, loudly backing the action. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and expressive, with distinct dramatics traded by a diverse cast. Atmospherics are generous with water-based activity, creating a sense of deep sea life, and cavernous sets also retain echoed expanse. A minor amount of hiss is observed, and levels slightly waver with reel changes.

War-Gods of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (11:09, HD) with star Tab Hunter never truly dissects the "War-Gods of the Deep" production experience, but the actor does provide a cheery discussion of his time on the set, sharing anecdotes about Vincent Price and his transportation issues when daily filming was completed. Hunter is aware of the picture's mediocrity, but he's proud of the effort.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:21, SD) is included.

War-Gods of the Deep Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"War-Gods of the Deep" indulges silliness and a banal second act of exposition, but it climaxes appropriately, concentrating on slo-mo underwater challenges and destruction to jolt the movie awake. It helps, though it doesn't redeem the effort, which always finds a chicken blocking the way to an ideal tone of fantasy intimidation.