Directed by Mel Damski
UK 1983

 

  For twelve years, Yellowbeard (Graham Chapman) has looted the Spanish Main, making men eat their lips and swallow their hearts. Caught and convicted -- for tax evasion -- he's sentenced to 20 years in St. Victim's Prison for the Extremely Naughty. In a scheme to confiscate his fabulous treasure, the Royal Navy allows him to escape and follows him to the Spanish Main, where saucy tarts, lisping demigods and some awful puns and punishments await. Starring a who's who of comic cutups and cutthroats including Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Cheech and Chong, Marty Feldman, Peter Cook, Madeline Kahn and more.

Posters

Theatrical Release: June 24th, 1983

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DVD Review: MGM - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

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Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC
Runtime 1:36:03 
Video 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.99 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Edition Details:

• none

DVD Release Date: June 27th, 2006

Keep Case
Chapters: 12

 

 

Comments:

Perhaps a strange title for DVDBeaver to review, but even though I didn't like the film in the theatre I thought I would give it another chance - I always find John Cleese and Madeline Kahn amusing.

This DVD has few, if any, redeeming features. As far as any standards for major studio DVD production go - MGM have established new lows. Here, in 2006, they have released Yellowbeard, a standard production film from 1985, onto DVD without a progressive transfer (see sample below). It is hard to believe.

The anamorphic image is hazy, dark, and the colors are no where near as vibrant as they should be. There are no extra features. There is one menu screen (yes one). It is region-coded to sell outside of North America as well, but I suppose profits from that were not financially viable enough to create, at least, a second menu screen for chapter stops. Pitiful.

The image is unwatchable on most HTPC systems but regardless its weaknesses are clearly evident even on tubes (CRT) - supported by the very low bitrate. At its economical price we still advise individuals to avoid this title - the film is nothing special indeed, but it deserved better treatment than this. Definitely NOT recommended!

Gary W. Tooze

 





DVD Menu


 


Subtitle Sample

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

 


 

 


 

 


'Combing' in horizontal pans indicates the DVD is not taken from HD sources

 

 


 

 

 


 

 


DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC




 

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Mississauga, Ontario,

   CANADA

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