The Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger

(aka "Terminator")

directed by James Cameron
USA 1984

Back from the future in which the machines rule comes a rippling robot (Schwarzenegger) who terminates opponents with extreme prejudice (like ripping their hearts out). His goal is to kill a woman (Hamilton) destined to bear the child who will become the great freedom fighter of the future. Fortunately she has a champion in the shape of another time traveller, Arnold's all-too-human opponent (Biehn). The gladiatorial arena is set, with vulnerable flesh and cunning versus a leviathan who totes around massive weapons like so many chic accessories and can rebuild his organs as they get shot away. The pacing and the action are terrific, revelling in the feral relentlessness which characterised Assault on Precinct 13 and Mad Max 2; even the future visions of a wasted LA are well mounted. More than enough violence to make it a profoundly moral film; and Arnold's a whizz.

Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: October 26th, 1984- USA

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DVD Comparison:

Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM/UA - Region 1 - NTSC

(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Image Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC	MGM Home Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:47:00	1:47:04
Video	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.7 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 8.75 NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Image
Bitrate: MGM/UA
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.1)	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (PCM Mono), DUB French and Spanish
Subtitles	None	English, Spanish, French and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Widescreen letterbox - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Color, Widescreen • Theatrical trailer • Widescreen letterbox format DVD Release Date: July 21, 1998 Snapper Case Chapters 32	Release Information: Studio: Mgm/Ua Studios Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1 Edition Details: • Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby • New state-of-the-art 5.1 stereo mix plus original mono audio track • Brand-new "Other Voices" documentary with new James Cameron interviews • "The Terminator: A Retrospective" documentary • "Terminated" deleted scenes with James Cameron audio commentary • Hidden menu features • DVD-ROM script to screen • Collectible holographic packaging • Original storyboards, trailers, TV spots, and more! • Widescreen anamorphic format DVD Release Date: June 17, 2003 Keep Case Chapters 32

Comments:

Well, I don't know about this one. The MGM is sure darker, but after gazing at these images for quite a while I can't definitively say that I see some edge enhancement in the MGM, but I am pretty sure I see too much red and green in many of the MGM captures (Reddish skin tones in "I'll be back" capture and the greenish-ness in the fire in "Sarah's photo burning" capture). The Image Entertainment disc appears to be cropped up top and bottom very slightly. I think I prefer the Image Entertainment DVD for image. I think its colors may be truer and it is marginally sharper. This disc reminds me of the MGM - Criterion "Unbearable Lightness of Being" DVD comparison HERE. Simply because MGM did the latest version does not mean it is the better one - image wise. The MGM has some decent Extras on the opposite side of the disc (see above). The MGM have the option of bumped up sound to 5.1 from the original. True fans of this film may wish to get both versions.

NOTE: the Image Entertainment disc is current Out of Print, but can be bought used at a very reasonable price.

- Gary W. Tooze

DVD Menus

(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

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