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 S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by James Bridges
USA 1973

 

TIMOTHY BOTTOMS stars in this powerful, moving story of a first-year Harvard Law School student who comes to terms with his dreams in America’s most competitive school.

Serious and hard-working, Hart (BOTTOMS) finds he must survive much more than the pressures, all-night cramming, and insecurities he expected. He becomes the fearful adversary of Knightsfield, the school’s most imperious, witheringly sarcastic yet brilliant professor (JOHN HOUSEMAN in an Oscar winning).

Terrorising some, inspiring others, the professor easily separates the men from the boys by the time the term is over. Hart’s personal relationship with Knightsfield grows more complex when he discovers the girl he’s fallen in love with is the professor’s daughter (LINDSAY WAGNER).

***

A first-year law student at Harvard Law School struggles with balancing his coursework and a woman, unaware that she has a connection that affects their relationship.

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 7th, 1973 - Atlanta International Film Festival

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Review: Signal One Entertainment - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:
Distribution Signal One Entertainment - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:51:10.830        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 35,682,742,691 bytes

Feature: 34,990,495,104 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.51 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Audio

LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Signal One Entertainment

 

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 35,682,742,691 bytes

Feature: 34,990,495,104 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.51 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Audio Commentary by Producer Robert C. Thompson
• Trailer (3:10)


 Blu-ray Release Date: June 13th, 2022
 Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 13

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Signal One Entertainment Blu-ray (June 2022): Signal One Entertainment have transferred James Bridges' The Paper Chase to Blu-ray. The 1080P image is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and looks very strong. There is consistent, reasonably visible, grain, tight colors and occasional depth. The HD presentation is highly pleasing.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Signal One Entertainment use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The Paper Chase is very passive - audio-wise - the transfer easily handling the modest depth. The score is by the iconic John Williams (Fitzwilly, The Eiger Sanction, The Secret Ways, The Rare Breed, The Missouri Breaks, War Horse, The Fury, Images, Sleepers, The Cowboys, Conrack, 1979's Dracula.) There is also some classical music; JS Bach + Georg Philipp Telemann sounding clear and quite pleasing in the uncompressed transfer. Signal One Entertainment offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Signal One Entertainment Blu-ray offers a new commentary by the Producer, Robert C. Thompson. This was originally on the 2003 DVD HERE. There are significantly long gaps with some of the film's evolution being shared. He talks about Fox's reluctance to produce the film - The Paper Chase being more intellectual than action-based. He discusses the importance of the relationships of the characters, how they got Houseman involved and much more specific to the production; getting DoP Gordon Willis, composer John Williams, scouting locations - Toronto, Harvard, Malibu etc. Despite the sporadic information - what is shared has value. There is also a theatrical trailer.   

I've always liked The Paper Chase and also enjoyed the TV series - one season on CBS (1978–79) and three seasons on Showtime (1983–1986) - of the same name with Houseman. He's brilliant in the role of Professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. - aptly winning both an Oscar and Golden Globe for his role in the 1973 film. Many were considered for the Kingsfield role in The Paper Chase including James Mason, Melvyn Douglas, Edward G. Robinson, John Gielgud and Paul Scofield. It actually launched Houseman's acting career. The Signal One Entertainment Blu-ray has strong a/v and the commentary. I've always enjoyed re-watching The Paper Chase. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze

 

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Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:
Distribution Signal One Entertainment - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


 


 

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