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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (September 2021): Kino have transferred Gordon Douglas's Skullduggery to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New 2K Master". It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. It looks very pleasing in 1080P. There is occasional inherent softness but rich, deep colors (the jungle greens, Burt's red cap etc.) It is in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and has some crispness as well as depth and this is a solid HD presentation. You can judge from the screen captures below.

NOTE: We have added 50 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. Skullduggery has few aggressive moments (a helicopter, jungle drums etc.) that come through with reasonably impressive bass. The score is credited to Oliver Nelson, who did mostly TV work - The Six Million Dollar Man, Columbo etc. but it adds something to the viewing experience via the lossless. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by a new trifecta of film historians Howard S. Berger, C. Courtney Joyner and Sergio Mims! Wow! - I have enjoyed all their work separately (or with different pairings.) Director Gordon Douglas seems the primary topic of interest - discussing his genre diversity, work with Randolph Scott, Sinatra, Cagney, Alan Ladd, how he subbed into the film after the departure of Richard Wilson, the short production time, budget, the 'multiple screen' technique utilized etc.... while they generally extol the film's unique qualities and under-appreciated story via Nelson Gidding (The Andromeda Strain) screenplay. Howard mentions how screenplay is based on the French novel Les Animaux dénaturés (1952) under various English titles - he recalls reading it and that the film is pretty faithful to the book. C. Courtney Joyner tells an amazing story regarding Lawrence Tierney and Sergio relates a conversation with Dave Kehr's positive opinion of Skullduggery. Very enjoyable if, often, less specific to Skullduggery. There is also a theatrical trailer for the feature and other Reynolds films.    

Gordon Douglas's Skullduggery is surprisingly shocking, has a fascinating premise, moral and exploitation themes and even a courtroom drama that has elements disclosing impregnating Topazia (singer Pat Suzuki) one of the Tropis 'missing links'. It has quite a strong cast - always great to see Burt Reynolds (RIP), sexy Susan Clark - with minor players including Edward Fox, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Rhys Williams etc. It really deserved revisitation after 50-years and the Kino Blu-ray provides a strong presentation and fascinatingly revealing group commentary. Absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze