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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Invasion of the Triffids" or "Revolt of the Triffids')

directed by Steve Sekely + Freddie Francis (uncredited)
UK 1963

Adapted from the novel by John Wyndham, this intelligent British monster movie begins with a meteor shower so intensely bright that it blinds the majority of the world's population, rendering them vulnerable to attack from hordes of carnivorous plants known as "Triffidus Celestus" grown from meteor-borne spores. As the plant-monsters continue to multiply and seek human prey, the remaining sighted people join forces to combat the veggie invaders. One such survivor, an American seaman (Howard Keel) whose eyes were bandaged during the meteorite impact, battles his way through the Triffid ranks. Meanwhile, a couple (Kieron Moore and Janette Scott are trapped in a lighthouse. Good production values make this low-budget effort look more expensive than it probably was; the uncredited assistance of Freddie Francis -- who directed several scenes with a second unit -- also helps.

  Posters

Theatrical Release: April 27th, 1963

More Apocalypse-related films on Blu-ray and DVD reviewed (click review buttons to also see

comparisons where applicable) from our article Films From The End of the World:

Reviews                                                               More Reviews                                                     DVD Reviews

 

Recommended Science Fiction Film poster Books (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Comparison:

Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL vs. Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC VS. Second Sight - Region 0 - PAL VS. Sidonis Calysta - Region 2 - PAL VS. Screenbound - Region 2 - PAL

 

 

1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL RIGHT

 

DVD Box Covers

 

Distribution Partner Ent. (BBC Worldwide Publishing)  - Region 2 - PAL Orchid Corporation - Region 0 - NTSC Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL Sidonis Calysta - Region 2 - PAL Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL
Runtime 1:34:03 (4% PAL Speedup) 1:33:51 1:34:03 (4% PAL Speedup) 1:34:09 (4% PAL Speedup) 1:33:54 (4% PAL Speedup)
Video 2.16:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.38 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
2.18:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.8 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
2.16:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.7 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
2.16:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.7 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.52 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

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

Bitrate: Partner

Bitrate: Orchid  

Bitrate: Second Sight  

Bitrate: Sidonis Calysta  

Bitrate: Screenbound  

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0)  English (Dolby Digital 2.0)  English (Dolby Digital 2.0)  English (Dolby Digital 2.0)  English (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None Japanese, None None Burned-in French None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Partner Entertainment

Aspect Ratio:
Letterboxed 2.16:1

Edition Details:

• Trailer (2:18)

DVD Release Date: June 30th, 2003

Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio: Orchid Corporation

Aspect Ratio:
Letterboxed 2.16:1

Edition Details:

• None

DVD Release Date: October 21st, 2009

Standard Keep Case
Chapters: 6

Release Information:
Studio:
Second Sight

Aspect Ratio:
Letterboxed 2.16:1

Edition Details:

• Trailer (2:17)

DVD Release Date: April 2nd, 2001

Standard Keep Case
Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio:
Sidonis

Aspect Ratio:
Letterboxed 2.16:1

Edition Details:

• discussion of film (in French - no subtitles)

DVD Release Date: June 3rd, 2014

Standard Keep Case
Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio:
S
creenbound

Aspect Ratio:
Wiidescreen 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• 4 trailers

DVD Release Date:
April 10th, 2017
Transparent Keep Case
Chapters:
9

 

 

Comments:

ADDITION: Screenbound - Region 2 - PAL - April 2017: This iconic title remains the biggest joke on disc. Screenbound's SD transfer is anamorphic - but at what cost? The image is cropped, hazy and in the incorrect 1.78:1 aspect ratio, standard lossy audio, PAL speedup, no subtitles, only trailers as extras. If this is how their anticipated Blu-ray is - then pass. Horrid, useless, disc.

***

ADDITION: Sidonis - Region 2 - PAL - April 2016: More bad news - Sidonis continue their non-removable French subtitles (see our reviews of Losey's 'M', Garden of Evil, Warlock and Broken Arrow) of English-language films. Their transfer is interlaced, non-anamorphic (letterboxed) - perhaps only minutely superior to the other SDs but no where near what fans desire. Patience is running thin... as for this sour 'joke' on fans of the film - pass.

***

ADDITION: Second Sight - Region 0 - PAL - February 2016: Sigh.... Well, I got a copy of the 2001 Second Sight DVD, but - alas - it is non-anamorphic (letterboxed), interlaced and only a trailer as an extra. The Partner Entertainment is the best - so far - which is a sad commentary on the film's digital state. This is my favorite film-rendition of the Wyndham story - let's hope whatever obstacles are preventing a decent release are removed soon so we can see this gem on Blu-ray, in our home theatres, one day soon. 

***

ADDITION: Orchid - Region 0 - NTSC - July 2015: I had an Amazon Japan credit.

It's gone from bad to worse! This Orchid Corporation DVD is NTSC,  also letterboxed, but is from an unconverted PAL source and has the associated ghosting/combing artifacts. There is a weird glitch appearing in the bottom right corner - see HERE. It looks and sounds very poor. No extras. The OOP Second Sight DVD (which I assume is anamorphic) is going for a ridiculous price now. I know I should buy it to induce a Blu-ray announcement days later. It's my favorite film adaptation of Wyndham's book - heavy nostalgia - there is Ken Hannam's 1981 version and the 2009 version on Blu-ray. This Orchid DVD of the 63' film is hideous! Can anyone help?

***

On the Partner DVD: Although I recommend the film to genre buffs, I can't do the same for this lackluster DVD. I've been told there is a "Second Sight" PAL DVD of the same film with much superior image quality. Perhaps we will compare one day.

Overall this is weak - bad analog image -hazy, faded, no extras save a trailer. On a bright note the subtitles are well done. Overall I hope to see the  "Second Sight" disc soon. out of   

Gary W. Tooze


DVD Menus
Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL

 

Orchid Corporation - Region 0 - NTSC

 

Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL

 

Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL

 

Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL

 

 


Subtitle Sample

 

1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


1) Partner Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Orchid Corporation - Region - NTSC - SECOND

3) Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL THIRD

4) Sidonis Calysta  - Region 2 - PAL FOURTH

5) Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL BOTTOM

 


 

DVD Box Covers

 

Distribution Partner Ent. (BBC Worldwide Publishing)  - Region 2 - PAL Orchid Corporation - Region 0 - NTSC Second Sight  - Region 0 - PAL Sidonis Calysta - Region 2 - PAL Screenbound  - Region 2 - PAL
 



 

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Gary Tooze