Island of the Blue Dolphins Blu-ray

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

Directed by James B. Clark
USA 1964

Based on Scott O’Dell’s beloved children’s classic, Island of the Blue Dolphins is the heartwarming adventure of a 19th-century Native American girl who becomes stranded on a remote island off the California coast. Karana (Golden Globe winner Celia Kaye) is forced to flee the island of her birth with the rest of her tribe when hunters threaten the area. Realizing her young brother has been left behind, she jumps ship and swims back to the island, where the two attempt to survive in solitude against staggering odds. This incredible true story features breathtaking cinematography and a fine cast that includes Hollywood great George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Death Ship, The Naked Gun). Produced by Robert B. Radnitz (Sounder, Where the Lilies Bloom) and directed by James B. Clark (A Dog of Flanders, Misty, Flipper), Island of the Blue Dolphins is an inspirational experience for the family to enjoy together over and over again.

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Based on the beloved book by Scott O'Dell, this family movie tells the adventures of a young Native American girl. After her father is killed by a malevolent white trapper, Karana joins her community as they leave their island home in the Pacific to live on the mainland. Upon her departure, Karana realizes that her brother has been left behind. She immediately swims back to be with him and the two remain on the abandoned island. Though Karana is able to domesticate a wolf, her brother is not so fortunate with the animals and is killed by a pack of wild dogs. She is left to survive against the odds.

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Theatrical Release: July 3rd, 1964

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Review: Kino Lorber / Scorpion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Kino Lorber / Scorpion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:32:40.958
Video	1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 24,432,788,075 bytes Feature: 22,977,773,568 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.49 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 1873 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1873 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Kino Lorber / Scorpion 1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 24,432,788,075 bytes Feature: 22,977,773,568 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.49 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer (2:37) Blu-ray Release Date: October 18th, 2022 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino Lorber / Scorpion Blu-ray (October 2022): Kino Lorber / Scorpion have transferred James B. Clark's Island of the Blue Dolphins to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New 2K Master". The 1.78:1 image is modest with plenty of visible speckles. It's isn't very sharp, nor shows dominant texture. Colors appear true and it is a consistent appearance. Overall, even with a high bitrate, the 1080P is mediocre. The resulting source would benefit from an extensive restoration.

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On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language with some lines of Spanish. Aside from a few gunshots and snarling canines Island of the Blue Dolphins doesn't have extensive aggressive audio to support. The was score by Paul Sawtell (Five Steps to Danger, A Game of Death, Inferno, Silver City, The Fly, Denver and Rio Grande, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea etc. and with Bert Shefter - teaming with Sawtell - on The Bubble, She-Devil and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.) It all sounds consistent in the lossless transfer if not dynamic. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Lorber / Scorpion Blu-ray offers only a trailer of the film as a supplement.

James B. Clark's Island of the Blue Dolphins is is based on Scott O'Dell's book involving the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Native American left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island during the 19th century. Her protective survival, losses and animal friendships track her remarkable adventure. There are important themes of feminism and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. A pleasing family film experience that is hard not to like to some degree. It is notable for having one of the foremost cinematographers of the 1940's and 50's, Leo Tover (The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Heiress, Journey to the Center of the Earth etc.) The bare-bones Kino Lorber / Scorpion Blu-ray's modest a/v and lack of supplements are reflected in the price. I had never seen Island of the Blue Dolphins and am glad I have. Recommended to those keen to see, or rewatch, the film.