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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" )
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. |
Posters
Theatrical Release: 30 November 1956 - UK
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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 |
CLICK to order from: Sold in a Boxset or individually: |
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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 |
1080P Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 22,881,713,609 bytes Feature: 18,515,970,048 bytesVideo Bitrate: 18.00 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate |
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Bitrate Blu-ray |
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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:
Edition Details: Chapters 8 |
Release Information: Studio: KSM Aspect Ratio: 1080P Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 22,881,713,609 bytes Feature: 18,515,970,048 bytesVideo Bitrate: 18.00 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: • Deleted Scene (1:09) • Restoration Samples (7:18) • Trailer (2:47)
• Gallery 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. |
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Carlton - Region 2 - PAL
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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 |
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Screen Captures
1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL
TOP 2) KSM - Region 'B' -
Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL TOP 2) KSM - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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More Blu-ray Captures
Associated Reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
A Life in Movies: An Autobiography by Michael Powell |
Michael Powell: Interviews (Conversations With
Filmmakers Series) by David Lazar |
Arrows of Desire: The Films of Michael Powell and
Emeric Pressburger by Ian Christie |
The Films of Michael Powell and the Archers by Scott Salwolke |
The Red Shoes: The Classic Story by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger |
Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden |
Powell and Pressburger: A Cinema of Magic Spaces
(Cinema & Society S.) Andrew Moor |
Gone to Earth (Virago Modern Classics)
Mary Webb, Erika Duncan |
I Know Where I'm Going! (BFI Film Classics S.)
Pam Cook |
Box Cover |
CLICK to order from: Sold in a Boxset or individually: |
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Distribution |
Carlton Region 2 - PAL |
KSM Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
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