The Blob Blu-ray Steve McQueen

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'The Glob" or "The Glob That Girdled the Globe" or "The Meteorite Monster" or "The Molten Meteorite" or "The Night of the Creeping Dead')

directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.
USA 1958

A cult classic of gooey greatness, The Blob follows the havoc wreaked on a small town by an outer-space monster with neither soul nor vertebrae, with Steve McQueen playing the rebel teen who tries to warn the residents about the jellylike invader. Strong performances and ingenious special effects help The Blob transcend the schlock sci-fi and youth delinquency genres from which it originates. Made outside of Hollywood by a maverick film distributor and a crew whose credits mostly comprised religious and educational shorts, The Blob helped launch the careers of McQueen and composer Burt Bacharach, whose bouncy title song is just one of this film’s many unexpected pleasures.

***

"Beware of the Blob!" One of the great cult classics, The Blob melds ’50s schlock sci-fi and teen delinquency pics even as it transcends these genres with strong performances and ingenious special effects. Made outside of Hollywood by a maverick film distributor, a crew experienced in religious and educational shorts, and a collection of theatrical talent from Philadelphia and New York, The Blob helped launch the careers of superstud Steve McQueen and composer Burt Bacharach.

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Theatrical Release: September 12th, 1958

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Comparison:

Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Cover		Also available in Germany on Blu-ray: The Criterion is being released in the UK, on Blu-ray, in December 2018
Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 91 - Region 0 - NTSC	Criterion Collection - Spine # 91 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:22:33	1:23:12.612
Video	1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.41 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,617,788,568 bytes Feature: 21,453,877,248 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.99 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 1.0)	LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.66:1 Edition Details: • Two audio commentaries: one by producer Jack Harris and film historian Bruce Eder; the other by director Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr. and actor Robert (“Tony”) Fields • Theatrical trailer (1:56) • BLOB-abilia!: collector Wes Shank’s rare trove of stills, posters, props (including the Blob itself!), and other ephemera • Special collectible poster • 6-pge liner notes with essay by Bruce Kawin DVD Release Date: November 14th, 2000 Keep Case Chapters: 19	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.66:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,617,788,568 bytes Feature: 21,453,877,248 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Two audio commentaries: one by producer Jack Harris and film historian Bruce Eder; the other by director Irvin S. Yeaworth, Jr. and actor Robert (“Tony”) Fields • Theatrical trailer (1:56) • BLOB-abilia!: collector Wes Shank’s rare trove of stills, posters, props (including the Blob itself!), and other ephemera • 6-page liner notes with essay by Bruce Kawin Blu-ray Release Date: March 12th, 2013 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters: 19

Comments:

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

ADDITION Criterion Blu-ray - February 2013: It's been more than a dozen years since Criterion has visited this title. The Blu-ray advances in subtle areas of color which tighten, contrast has more layers, there is a pleasing texture to the visuals and there is more information in the frame. The SD was strong, a bit greenish, but the 1080P now showcases some depth - I doubt the film will ever look better in the home theater digital format. The 'Blob' effects were never outstanding but the higher resolution doesn't make anything overly transparent. There is a bit of thickness that connotes a film-like presentation. Extras mimic the DVD with the excellent commentaries, the Blobabilia! gallery and liner notes. Only privy to the screener disc I am unsure whether The Blob poster is included in the case (as it was in the DVD). This is one of the quintessential Drive-In mainstays and it is great to have this pseudo-classic on Blu-ray. Recommended!

***

ON THE DVD: This is the best this film has looked for a long time. The campy charm only runs so deep I'm afraid but it still has it cinema history relevance and this pristine 1.66 image is the only real way to see the film (since it isn't coming to your Drive-in soon). Original audio and excellent subtitles with 2 (yes 2!) commentary tracks. I suppose some might even hang the included poster. An 'odd duck' for Criterion, but adds to their eclectic nature. out of

Gary W. Tooze

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Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT

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