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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Ronald Neame
USA 1966

 

Starring screen icons Michael Caine (The Ipcress File) and Shirley MacLaine (Irma La Douce), Gambit is a delightful yet deadly game of international cat-and-mouse. The fast-paced caper takes off in Hong Kong where a dapper English cat burglar (Caine) enlists the aid of a Eurasian dancer (MacLaine) to help him in an elaborate scheme to grab an age-old artifact from the heavily secured palace of a powerful Middle Eastern tycoon (Herbert Lom, The Pink Panther Strikes Again). Unfortunately, the foolproof scheme begins to backfire shortly after it starts and the duo must pull out all the stops if they hope to come out on top. Dazzling music by Maurice Jarre (Lawrence of Arabia) and Technicolor cinematography by Clifford Stine (Bedtime Story) highlight this classic heist comedy from the incomparable Ronald Neame, director of Golden Salamander, The Horse’s Mouth, The Chalk Garden, The Poseidon Adventure, Meteor and Hopscotch.

***

Gambit is a 1966 American comedy heist film starring Shirley MacLaine and Sir Michael Caine as two criminals involved in an elaborate plot centered on a priceless antiquity owned by millionaire Mr. Shahbandar, played by Herbert Lom. It was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Excerpt from Wikipedia located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 16th, 1966

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Review: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:

Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:48:41.514        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 40,709,125,473 bytes

Feature: 35,851,315,200 bytes

Video Bitrate: 39.37 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

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1969 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1969 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentaries:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 40,709,125,473 bytes

Feature: 35,851,315,200 bytes

Video Bitrate: 39.37 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Audio Commentary by Director Ronald Neame
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger, Sergio Mims and Nathaniel Thompson
Theatrical Trailer (1:13)


Blu-ray
Release Date: January 11th, 2022
Standard
Blu-ray Case inside slipcase

Chapters 9

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (January 2022): Kino have transferred Ronald Neame's Gambit to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New 4K Restoration by Universal Pictures" and looks impressive in 1080P. Colors are rich and bright, detail consistent with a textured heaviness. It's a gorgeous Technicolor film that comes through highly pleasingly on this dual-layered Blu-ray with a max'ed out bitrate.

NOTE: We have added 38 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Gambit has only a few aggressive moments and a nightclub performance plus some may recognize Beethoven's Für Elise. The supportive score is by Maurice Jarre (Crossed Swords, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds The Tin Drum, The Man Who Would Be King, The Black Marble, The Damned etc.) and adds to the film's moods. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers two commentaries. A vintage one from director Ronald Neame that I recall being offered on a UK DVD plus there is a new one with the grouping of Howard S. Berger, Sergio Mims and Nathaniel Thompson. They discuss the Jack Davies screenplay and every facet of the production including Neame, the stars, locations and more. I felt like I learned a lot about Gambit and similar high-brow comedy heist films in that era involving characters of elevated wealth and social status. Lastly, is a trailer and the package has a reversible sleeve (see below) and O-card slip case.

Ronald Neame's "Gambit" is classy and fun. It's quite an attractive film as well with gorgeous costuming and lavish set accoutrements. It was Oscar-nominated for 'Art Direction', 'Set Decoration' and 'Best Costume Design'. There was a poor remake, of the same name, in 2012, with a script by Joel and Ethan Coen. This 1966 original has a lot going for it as a 'civilized' heist thriller and the participation of Caine, MacLaine and Lom.  I am very happy to see it on the attractive Kino Blu-ray and I feel like it's a film I will revisit. Certainly recommended with the inclusion of the two commentaries.

Gary Tooze

 


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Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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