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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Gordon Douglas
USA 1970

 

Screen legend Burt Reynolds (100 Rifles, Fuzz, White Lightning) stars in the missing-link adventure film Skullduggery. An expedition into the interior of Papua New Guinea comes across a tribe of ape-like people, the Tropis, who may or may not be ancestors of early man. However, the influence of modern man is to have devastating effects upon these forgotten people. When one of the Tropis is allegedly murdered, the following murder trial centers around the question of whether the Tropis are human or animal. Susan Clark (Coogan’s Bluff), Roger C. Carmel (Breezy), Paul Hubschmid (Funeral in Berlin), Chips Rafferty (Wake in Fright), Alexander Knox (Modesty Blaise), Edward Fox (Wild Geese II), Wilfrid Hyde-White (P.J.), William Marshall (Blacula) and singer Pat Suzuki co-star in this mix of sci-fi adventure and courtroom drama directed by Gordon Douglas (Them!, Barquero, They Call Me Mister Tibbs!).

***

An engagingly ramshackle adventure that gradually takes on a burden of messages as Reynolds and Carmel latch on to Susan Clark's archaeological expedition, which has permission to explore the New Guinea interior. The pair are secretly prospecting for phosphorus (highly profitable since the advent of colour TV), but instead find a tribe of ape-like, intelligent creatures (played by diminutive University of Djakarta students in gingery, hairy suits) who may be 'the missing link'. Dropouts one and all, they certainly believe in flower-power, which turns Reynolds all radical when the Establishment - in the shape of the archaeological expedition's financial backer - proposes to breed them like animals for cheap labour. Cue for a rousingly melodramatic courtroom finale, engineered in desperation by Reynolds, in which the definition of 'humanity' comes under hot debate from all sides (Black Panthers, apartheid apologists, et al). Naïve, uncertain in tone, but despite all faults, an appealing curiosity.

Excerpt from TimeOut located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 6th, 1970

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

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

Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:

Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:45:44.755        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 36,532,113,231 bytes

Feature: 34,311,241,728 bytes

Video Bitrate: 38.92 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 1970 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1970 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

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

Subtitles English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 36,532,113,231 bytes

Feature: 34,311,241,728 bytes

Video Bitrate: 38.92 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger, C. Courtney Joyner and Sergio Mims
Theatrical Trailer (2:20)


Blu-ray Release Date:
September 9th, 2021
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9

 

 

Comments:

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

 


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Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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