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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Pursuit of the Graf Spee" )

 

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/powell.htm
UK 1956

 

Michael Powell's 1956 war movie, originally called The Battle of the River Plate in the UK, is mainly distinguished by its lack of action: a crippled German battleship has to put in at a neutral port in South America, while the local British authorities use fair means and foul to keep her pinned down. Though it's mostly a waiting game, the film is tense and involving, thanks to Powell's fluid shifting of the point of view--you root for the Germans as much as for the Allies. It isn't one of Powell's best films, though as an inactive actioner, it's typical of his contrary-minded approach to moviemaking--he sets himself impossible problems and then solves them, brilliantly.

Capsule taken from the Chicago-Reader website located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: 30 November 1956 - UK

Reviews                                                                          More Reviews                                                              DVD Reviews

Comparison: 

Carlton (Re-release) - Region 2 - PAL vs. KSM - Region 'B'- Blu-ray

Big thanks to Ole Kofoed for the Review!

1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL LEFT

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Cover

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Distribution

Carlton

Region 2 - PAL

KSM

Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Runtime 1:54:08 (4% PAL speedup) 1:56:44.372
Video

1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.39 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,881,713,609 bytes

Feature: 18,515,970,048 bytes

Video Bitrate: 18.00 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate

Bitrate Blu-ray

Audio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio English 901 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 901 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio German 940 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 940 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)
Subtitles English (SDH) or none German or none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Carlton

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 1.66:1

Edition Details:
• Biographies.

DVD Release Date: March 17, 2003
Keep Case

Chapters 8

Release Information:
Studio:
KSM

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 1.78:1

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,881,713,609 bytes

Feature: 18,515,970,048 bytes

Video Bitrate: 18.00 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• Alternate Ending (1:53)

• Deleted Scene (1:09)

• Restoration Samples (7:18)

• Trailer (2:47)

• Gallery

Blu-ray Release Date: August 16th, 2010
Blu-ray Case

Chapters 13

 

Comments

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

 

ADDITION: KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (November 11'): Impressive improvement although the new German single-layered transfer is imperfect looking a little glossy and waxy throughout. The frame may have opened up - showing more information - in 1.78:1- moving from the original 1:66 aspect ratio. It looks a little greenish but overall base colors get more intense and tighten up. The sea-scapes are impressive and while I'm usually not fan of the glossier look - this is a significant difference from the SD with over 4X the bitrate.

 

Audio offers lossless 2.0 channel stereo for both original English and a German DUB (NOTE: The brief German language segments are not translated via English subtitles). Brian Easdale's score sounds tight and clean if not particularly impacting. German subtitles are optional on the region 'B'-locked disc. 

Extras include some viable, if short, features including an Alternate Ending sequence of less than 2-minutes, a minute long deleted scene, a restoration sample and a, definitely un-restored, trailer.

Mediocre Powell and Pressburger is still VERY worthy. This is a gripping, detailed film and despite its inefficiencies the Blu-ray wins on all fronts for an improved home theater presentation.

***

ON THE DVD: Colors look quite good on this edition, although a shade faded. Almost totally free of print damages, and it looked fabulous on a normal tube TV, but when blown up on a large screen there is some "noise" (not digital) in the picture. But for a film from 1956 it's a good release. Then there is the aspect ratio - IMdb list several different - not 1.66:1 - and says intended is 1.85:1 . I must say I found the framing perfect, don't think there is anything missing from the sides and it would be a pity if there was removed information in top/bottom to get it 1.85. This release also has very good original audio, removable English subtitles but no extras to speak of.

 - Ole Kofoed and Gary Tooze

 


 Menus

 

Carlton - Region 2 - PAL 

 

KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 


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

 

Subtitle Sample

 

1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


 

1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP

2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

More Blu-ray Captures

 

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

Sold in a Boxset or individually:

       

Distribution

Carlton

Region 2 - PAL

KSM

Region 'B' - Blu-ray



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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...