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

ADDITION: Undercrank Productions Blu-ray (August 2023): Undercrank Productions have transferred two Tom Mix silent, action-adventure, films to a single-layered Blu-ray; Sky High (1922) and The Big Diamond Robbery (1929) They are cited as being "presented in new 2K restorations of archival 35mm prints preserved by the Library of Congress and Lobster Films, and feature new theatre organ scores by Ben Model".

The image quality is impressive - often extremely clear and clean considering the age. There are tints used more in Sky High and The Big Diamond Robbery has some rounded corners. I wasn't deterred - these looks highly remarkable in 1080P. Rewarding presentations. 

Both films come with the statement: "This film is presented as a record of the past. It is a historical document which reflects the language, attitudes, and beliefs of different times. The Library of Congress does not endorse the views expressed in this film, which may contain content offensive to viewers."

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Undercrank Productions use lossy Dolby stereo audio transfers for both films - which both feature new theatre organ scores by Ben Model. They support the film's moods very effectively. Ben is also the founder of Undercrank Productions that has been releasing rare / lost silent films since 2013. Sky High and The Big Diamond Robbery have original intertitles (English.) Undercrank Productions BD-R (not a pressed disc) Blu-ray is Region FREE - playable worldwide.

The Undercrank Productions Blu-ray offers no extras - just the two films. 

Sky High was spectacularly shot in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The story takes place in 1922 and we see contemporary use of cars, planes and telephones as well as common western genre tropes of horse travel, attending saloons etc. It was admitted to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1998 and represented a shift from Tom Mix beyond simply a 'Western' star. The Big Diamond Robbery was directed by Eugene Forde (Dressed to Kill, Michael Shayne, Private Detective features, Backlash, a couple of Charlie Chan films etc.) and was the last of five films that Tom Mix made for the Film Booking Offices of America studios, as well as being the star's last silent film. Tom Mix was a real town marshal and cowboy in the Oklahoma Territory, also making a name for himself as a rodeo star and a wild west show headliner. He eventually was portrayed in Western-themed comic books as well. Sadly he died violently from an automobile accident in 1940 having been in 291 films, all but nine of which were 'silent'. Undercrank Productions is definitely a “collector’s brand” with most of their digital releases funded by silent era devotees (usually through Kickstarter.) This Blu-ray has immense appeal for Silent Era, and Tom Mix, fans.

Gary Tooze