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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Byron Haskin
USA 1953
These DVD are compared to the Blu-ray HERE
The daring grandfather of more modern day alien attack
films such as Independence Day and still giving a mutated birth to, most
recently, Mr. Spielberg's imprint of the same name (well minus the "The").
The mere existence of this classic just goes to prove that there is very little
from the past that won't be absconded and re-shaped with a current twist - or
that there are very few new idea ventures in the cultural void of Hollywood. Gary Tooze |
Posters
Theatrical Release: August 13th, 1953
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC
(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Paramount Region 1 - NTSC |
Paramount Region 1 - NTSC |
Runtime | 1:25:18 | 1:25:18 |
Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Paramount |
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Bitrate:
Paramount (SCE) |
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
Subtitles | None | English, and none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Paramount
Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 13
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Release Information: Edition Details: • Commentary by: by actors Ann Robinson and Gene Barry
• Commentary by film director Joe Dante, film
historian Bob Burns and Bill Warren, author of Keep Watching the Skies!:
American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties |
Comments |
These DVD are compared to the Blu-ray HERE
The original release was quite fraught with errors - lots of artifacts, boosted brightness affecting the colors, fairly sharp and grainy at times - hazy at others, and sporting a blemish or two in the wear-and-tear department. Certainly quite tube-acceptable but far from what it could have been. Now this new issue may be better, especially in the area of light scratches, but I would say it is again, far from perfect. There are instances in the new release where digitalization and softness have taken over. Colors look very similar most of the time but an overall improvement is noted especially in skin tones with exceptions (see last capture).
There is minor cropping on various edges but mostly noted on the sides of the new release. Obviously the best attribute of the new edition are the extensive extras and commentaries with my preference for the Joe Dante one - especially the input from Bill Warren author of Keep Watching the Skies!: American Science Fiction Movies of the Fifties. Audio has also had a boost with an optional 2.0 surround track added that, in my opinion, really exemplified the alien shrieks... and made them even scarier! With all that is included in this release, $10 is a true bargain... and a great film to watch on Halloween night (or just listen to the included 'Original Mercury Theatre Radio Broadcast of The War of the Worlds')! out of |
DVD Menus
(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs.
Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Paramount (Special Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
Image: |
Region 1 - NTSC |
Sound: |
Special Collector's Edition |
Extras: | Special Collector's Edition |
Menu: | - |