When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the 1951 Science Fiction film 'When Worlds Collide' to the UHD format. This release marks the film's Blu-ray debut in North America; the film was previously made available on Blu-ray via a region-free disc from Australian label Imprint on August 26, 2020. I cannot be certain how similar audio and video presentations may be; I did not review, nor do I have access to, that disc. However, it appears that some differences exist. One extra is included. Note that at time of release that this film is only available in a 'Paramount Presents' double feature alongside 'The War of the Worlds,' which is on the UHD format.

When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount brings When Worlds Collide to the Blu-ray format with an excellent 1080p transfer. This is a very attractive image. As with the best shot-on-film catalogue releases, there is no sign of grain reduction. Instead, grain is honest and organic, presenting a healthy and flattering veneer that is one of the first characteristics that jumps out to identify this as a high-grade catalogue release. Details are sharp, capturing plenty of fine facial and clothing textures to bring out some of the best qualities the natural film elements have to offer. Viewers will be pleased with the overall level of textural accuracy and confidence throughout the image. The 4x3 aspect ratio preserves the original theatrical projection parameters, resulting in, here, vertical "black bars" on either side of the 1.78:1 HD frame. Color output is excellent. Fine tonal depth and accuracy are in evidence, certainly lacking the refinement that would have been readily apparent with a Dolby Vision-graded UHD, but the SDR Blu-ray handles colors exceedingly well, whether clothes, bold red lipstick, period paint jobs (look at a green door at the 41:30 mark), or dots of stars in the heavens. White balance is good and black level depth is solid. The Blu-ray shows no evidence of encode problems and print flaws are limited to a handful of barely perceptible pops and speckles. This is a delight of a transfer; fans of classic Sci-Fi will be pleased.

When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This Blu-ray release of When Worlds Collide features, primarily, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono soundtrack. The audio presentation is limited by the limitations inherent to the original audio source. There's a mild crunchiness to music and effects, but the track does offer satisfactory depth and detail to a plane engine in the opening moments, for instance, and to some of the more prominent audio elements that require additional buff and heft later in the film, such as when wind gusts, waves crash, and buildings shake around the 44-minute mark. The two-channel mono track obviously limits opportunities for expansion. Subwoofer and surround channels are silent, but the track does well enough to convey core audio information with enough detail and front placement stretch to convey at least a limited sense of sonic score. Musical clarity is wanting -- coming across as a little shrill and scratchy here and there -- but sounds fine within original parameters. Dialogue is very good, offering well balanced clarity and prioritization. There is some modest struggle to image dialogue to the center; there's a clear sense of placement a bit off-center to the sides. This is not a track to dazzle the ears and stretch audio systems, but it plays in sincere support of the film just as it was designed to do.

When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of When Worlds Collide includes a single extra: the film's Theatrical Trailer (480i, ~4x3, 2:00). Note that the Imprint disc includes a bevy of extras not included here, including an audio commentary track, interviews, and a photo gallery. As it ships in the above-linked two-film collection, a Slipcover is included; it is of the familiar "Paramount Presents" style with fold-open artwork. It is the 35th in the line.

When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

When World Collide is a solid Science Fiction film with thin characters but a robust plot and good technical workmanship. It balances science and intrigue with disaster quite nicely to both emotionally engaging and entertainingly expert effect. Paramount's Blu-ray is thin on extras, but that's the only real weak point. The audio is fine within its original structure and the 1080p picture absolutely delights. As it ships here within the above-linked two-film collection, it comes highly recommended.