Goin' Down the Road Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

( aka 'The Maritimers' )

directed by Donald Shebib
Canada 1970

A highly praised film in 1970, "Siskel and Ebert" put it on their Top Ten list for that year.

"Don Shebib’s definitive 1970 film is about two young and uneducated Maritimers who leave the desolation of Nova Scotia and head for the legendary opportunities of Toronto. Even when contacts fall through and they are forced to spend their first nights at the Salvation Army, both men maintain an optimistic sense of adventure as they encounter offbeat characters in a variety of humorous situations. However, as their prospects begin to fade, optimism gives way to frustration and loneliness. The New Yorker’s Pauline Kael said: “...there is scarcely a false touch in Goin’ Down the Road; Don Shebib is so good at blending actors into locations that at times… one forgets that it is an acted film.”

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Comparison:

Seville Pictures Region 1 - NTSC vs. Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

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Distribution	Seville Pictures Region 1 - NTSC	Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:28:03	1:27:36.209
Video	4:3 133:1 - Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.64 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080P Disc Size: 20,351,885,912 bytes Feature Size: 16,724,944,896 bytes Average Bitrate: 23.81 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Seville's "Goin' Down the Road"
Bitrate: Alliance "Goin' Down the Road" Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby 2.0)	Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles	None	English (SDH), None
Features	DVD FEATURES: Director approved Seville Signature Collection DVD Digitally mastered from the print restored by the National Archives of Canada Commentary track by director Don Shebib Commentary track/appreciation by Toronto Star critic Geoff Pevere Booklet insert with introduction essay by Christine Ramsay; President of the Film Studies Association of Canada Pierre Burton Interview with director Shebib ( 24:17 ). Stills Gallery ( 15 individual black and white 4:3 stills ) RDSL dual layer disc DVD Release Date: November 19th, 2002 Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Alliance 1080P Disc Size: 20,351,885,912 bytes Feature Size: 16,724,944,896 bytes Average Bitrate: 23.81 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Commentary with director Donald Shebib • "Garth & Gord & Fiona & Alice" 1982 SCTV parody (John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Jaybe Easstwood and Eugene Levy) (11:42) • The Restoration of "Goin' Down the Road" (7:48) • Down the Road Again" Trailer (1:39) Includes Down the Road Again (on separate BD) with director commentary Blu-ray Release Date: May 15th, 2012 Blu-ray case Chapters: 22

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (September 2018): I have let it be known that I am not a fan of Alliance Canada - sloppy Atanarjuat aka The Fast Runner (2001) DVD, 1.78:1 Blu-ray of Se7en (film was in 2.35:1), and Good Will Hunting, both interlaced (1080i), Reindeer Games in 1.78 when the film was in 2.35:1, David Lynch's The Straight Story DVD (in PAL?), Good Will Hunting, Cold Mountain, Requiem For a Dream, Harsh Times - all single-layered Blu-rays and puny file size - sometimes as low as 15 Gig of space with mid-teen bitrates.

Here they have taken a true Canadian, grassroots classic which was shot in 16 mm at 1.37:1. But in the wisdom of their restoration (shown in an extra) they move the film to 1.78:1 tightening composition and altering the film's spirit irrevocably. Beyond silly.

The audio is only lossy Dolby. They do add optional English subtitles. It is on a single-layered BD and includes a second single-layered BD of the sequel Down the Road Again (see below.) Both have a director commentary.

Ohhh and the discs are mislabeled - Goin' Down the Road is actually Down the Road Again and vice-versa. Worst DVD and Blu-ray company ever, imo.

***

ON THE DVD: Firstly, this is a miraculous piece of Canadiana that has proudly stood the test of time. Made on a shoe string with neo-realistic performances even a weathered 16mm print of this film ranks right up with early Cassavetes works (Shadows, Faces). Now it has been now been digitized mastered from the original print restored by the National Archives of Canada . Seville Pictures have not only done justice with this DVD presentation, but also maintained the undercurrent of realism and innocence by not "dolling up" the image excessively. The two separate commentaries (director Donald Shebib and critic Geoff Pevere), I rate highly. This is fresh, frank and honest testimony delivered in grass roots fashion, especially by director Shebib. I not only feel delighted to write a review of this DVD, but honored to share my feelings about the film. If there ever was a pioneering piece of Canadian New Wave, cinema verite or neo-realism, then THIS is it!... right down to the Bruce Cockburn soundtrack. The DVD has kept its rooted tones perfectly. The image quality is by no means immaculate and there is negligible edge enhancement down the right side, the colors are washed out but it only adds to its gritty charm. An glossy, over-restoration would seem inappropriate and I'm sure we are seeing it better than anyone did in the theater in the 70's. out of

Gary Tooze

DVD Menus

Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

Subtitle sample - Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Seville - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Alliance - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

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Gary Tooze

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