directed
by Sidney Lumet
USA 1982
Newman as a washed-up lawyer, given one last chance to prove himself with a rather squalid medical malpractice suit. David Mamet has delivered a fast-paced, eloquent, and suspenseful screenplay which, like all the best genre movies, plunges its hero so far into the abyss that it seems impossible for him to climb out. And for once Lumet makes story rather than performance his first priority, with the paradoxical result - so familiar in American movies - that the acting sometimes reaches a near-invisible perfection. Admittedly this is a legal Rocky, convincing rather than realistic, witty rather than analytical, but it amounts to a far more effective indictment of the US legal system than ...and justice for all, and is the first courtroom drama in years to recapture the brilliance of the form.
Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE
Poster
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Theatrical Release: December 8th, 1982
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
20th Century Fox
- Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC(20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
20th Century Fox Region 1 - NTSC |
20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Spine #31 Region 1 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 2:08:48 | 2:08:48 |
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Video |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate : 20th Century Fox |
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| Bitrate: 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) |
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| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 1.0) | English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 1.0), DUBs: French (Dolby Digital 1.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0) |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, None | English, Spanish, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: • Making Of Featurette (8:03) • Stills gallery
• Original theatrical trailer
Chapters 22 |
Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) Aspect Ratio:
Edition
Details:
• Stills gallery
DVD
Release Date: June 12th, 2007 Chapters 31 |
| Comments: |
The new Collector's Edition is much improved, in every area, over Fox's original 2002 release. Image quality, although having occasional tendency to reddish skin tones, is significantly sharper, far better compression, raised detail, and less speckles. Frankly it is a dramatic improvement and looks as good as I would assume an HD edition of this film might. Subtitles options are the same but the CE has added a Spanish DUB to the original edition choices.
The supplements have likewise improved - the same excellent Lumet/Newman commentary is re-issued as is the 8 minute making of featurette and Stills gallery. But on top of that the new 2-disc DVD set includes three featurettes not available on the original - they are all directly related to The Verdict and together run almost an hour. Newman, Lumet and others discuss performances, production history and other pertinent details sometimes touched upon in the commentary - ex. Redford and Hoffman pursuing Newman's role of Frank Galvin. I love this film - a great cast with a redemptive aura about it - yet wholly realistic about the monetary pitfalls of the justice system. I'm glad it was treated well in this new Collector's Edition. Very much recommended! |
DVD Menus
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Disc 2 (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
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Screen Captures
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Subtitle Sample: Not exact frame
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(20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. 20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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20th Century Fox Region 1 - NTSC |
20th Century Fox (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) Region 1 - NTSC |
Report Card:
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20th Century Fox Anniversary |
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Sound: |
20th Century Fox Anniversary |
| Extras: | 20th Century Fox Anniversary |
| Menu: | 20th Century Fox Anniversary |
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