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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Best Shot')

directed by David Anspaugh
USA 1986

I don't mind admitting that I really love this film. Certainly I consider it one of my favorite sports films. The supporting cast is 'spot-on' - Sheb Wooley, Fern Persons, Barb Hershey and Dennis Hopper (lets no exclude the boys who were the players too!). Gene Hackman is at his most charismatic as the new coach - an outsider entering the small town community to take over the reigns of the much coveted, and puny, basketball team. The school in the movie is so small, in fact, that it can barely field a full squad, they do though - and the name: the 'Hickory Huskers'. David Anspaugh's film is filled with so much small town charm, passion, maturity, acceptance and the type male bonding accomplishments that we reflect on with timeless pride. Many can associate with that type of high school heroics. The soundtrack is a big part of the feel of this film. Jerry Goldsmith was coming off of the most successful period of his career at that time, with several of his most uplifting scores produced in the early 80's. This track has beautiful subtlety as well as pointed aggression when appropriate. I'll wager I've seen this film 6 or 7 times now - I'm content to float back to my high school days, and an imaginary time and place that films rarely venture. A little cloying and all-American - yes, but that's okay - this is  strong feel-good movie. out of  

Gary W. Tooze

Poster

Theatrical Release: November 14th, 1986 - USA

Reviews        More Reviews         DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (2-disc SE) - Region 1 - NTSC

1) MGM  - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) MGM (SE) - Region 1- NTSC - RIGHT

DVD Box Covers

Distribution MGM - Region 1- NTSC MGM - Region 1- NTSC (2 -disc SE)
Runtime 1:54:40 1:54:44
Video 1.81:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.99 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.85:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 8.1 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:

MGM

Bitrate:

 

MGM (SE)

 

Audio English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) English (Dolby Digital 5.1), DUBs: Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French  (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles Spanish, French, None English, Spanish, French, and none
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Aspect Ratio 1.81:1

Edition Details:

• Trailer - (2:42)

• Pan and scan version on the opposite side

DVD Release Date: December 18th, 2001

Keep Case
Chapters: 36


Release Information:
Studio: MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Edition Details:

• Commentary by director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo
• "Hoosier History: The Truth Behind the Legend"
• Deleted scenes with introduction by director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo
• Milan vs. Muncie 1954 Indiana High School championship game
• Photo gallery
• Theatrical trailer

DVD Release Date: March 1st, 2005
Digipak slipcase into cardboard box
Chapters: 32

 

Comments:

NOTE: Both Blu-ray Editions compared HERE

ON THE TWO SD's: We can now see how washed-out the colors of the old edition transfer were and how much was cropped off the sides and top edges. The new edition is vastly superior in every area - colors - contrast - aspect ratio - subtitles - extras - brightness. Skin tones still had a tendency in certain scenes to look a shade red to me. What is a real bonus to this new edition are the extensive extras with interview and somehow they got a copy of the old 1954 Indiana High School championship game - what a hoot. This film holds a lot of personal enjoyment for me and I am so grateful this DVD actually did take the image and extras more seriously than in the initial edition. Aspect ratio is off on one of these as characters are somewhat thinner in the new edition.

 - Gary W. Tooze


DVD Menus

(MGM  - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM (SE) - Region 1- NTSC - RIGHT)


MGM (SE) - Region 1- NTSC - Disc 2

 

 


 

English Subtitle Sample on SE edition

 

 

 

Screen Captures

 

NOTE: CLICK ALL THE Blu-ray CAPTURES (ONLY) TO SEE THE FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) MGM  - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (SE) - Region 1- NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 


1) MGM  - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (SE) - Region 1- NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 


1) MGM  - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (SE) - Region 1- NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 


 


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DVD Box Covers

Distribution MGM - Region 1- NTSC MGM - Region 1- NTSC (2 -disc SE)

 




 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...