H D - S E N S E I

A view on Hi-def DVDs by Gary W. Tooze

 

Introduction: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 5600 DVDs and have reviewed over 3000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.

Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. So be it, but film will always be my first love and I list my favorites on the old YMdb site now accessible HERE.  

Gary's Home Theatre:
Samsung HPR4272 42" Plasma HDTV
Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player (firmware upgraded)

Sony BDP-S300 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player (firmware upgraded)
Sony DVP NS5ODH SD-DVD player (region-free and HDMI)
Harmon Cardon DD/DTS receiver
Ascent (main) + Boston Acoustics (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

Gary W. Tooze

 

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Capricorn One [Blu-ray DVD]

 
(Peter Hyams, 1978)

 

Production: ITV DVD (UK)

Region: This DVD, although originating in the UK (Region B), IS Region 0 and will play on any Blu-ray machine in the world.
 

Video
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Audio
English: Dolby Digital Mono

Subtitles
English SDH, none

Disc
25GB Blu-ray Disc

Runtime: 2:02:42 (incorrectly listed on the case as 118 minutes)

Extras:

• none

 

Disc: 25GB Blu-ray Disc
Release Date: October 29th, 2007
Standard Blu-Ray case

Synopsis: The government attempts to fake a mission to Mars, but when the astronauts learn that part of the scenario includes a 'tragic accident' on the way home, they attempt an escape. A forerunner of the non-stop action suspense movie with terrific aerial stunts and an all-star cast.

***

....as a breathless public stands by for the first American flight to Mars, the astronauts are bundled away to a desert location where NASA intends to secretly simulate the whole thing for the TV networks of the world. For a while the film makes the most of the surrealism of this eerie conceit with some effective juxtapositions of illusion and reality as the spacemen play kiddy-cars in their clandestine studio. But pretty soon the project gets bogged down in innumerable difficulties...

Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE.

 

 

The Film:

Peter Hyams' cynical, paranoid thriller looked particularly eerie in the wake of the Columbia disaster. Three astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, and O.J.) are set to embark on the first manned flight to Mars. At the last minute they're pulled aside and Hal Holbrook explains that the life-support systems were faulty, but that NASA can't afford to blow its credibility by cancelling the flight. So the astronauts are forced to go along with a faked Mars-walk.

Then the unforeseen happens when the unmanned Capricorn One explodes on re-entry. The astronauts realize that in the eyes of the world, they're dead, and NASA means to make that part true. So the men escape to the desert and split off into separate directions. Elliott Gould is the disreputable reporter who's on to the cover-up. The excellent cast also includes Brenda Vaccaro as Brolin's "widow," Karen Black as Gould's reporter acquaintance and would-be lover, James Karen as the vice-president, David Huddleston (the Big Lebowski himself) as a congressman, and Telly "Keep your goddamn head down" Savalas in a great funny bit as a cropduster pilot.

Excerpt from efilmcritic located HERE

 

 

 

 

The Video:

Aside from the film being a bit of a conspiracy hoot (another from, Russian impresario, Sir Lew Grade - like The Boys From Brazil) I was very interested to get my hands on this Blu-ray DVD. For one reason, ITV DVD, in the UK, are the ones coming out with Black Narcissus in Blu-ray in June (as well as the aforementioned The Boys from Brazil). Not only did I want to see the quality - I find it momentarily comforting that it is region 0 and can be played worldwide on all Blu-ray machines. On to Capricorn One - it looks far better than I was anticipating. The aspect ratio seems to report that it is not from the 70mm print of the film (that would give us a 2.2:1 ratio) as this DVD is 2.35:1 - Panavision. Colors are bright, detail is fairly impressive and there is far less digital noise in monochromatic scenes (skies and blanket darkness) that I would have anticipated. There is no discernable damage and it certainly looks far better than its 30-year old age. I don't know that the screen grabs below do it full justice. Now, don't get expectations too stratospheric - but it does look light years ahead of the SD version I own. I'm quite satisfied.

NOTE: the case states a 4:3 ratio which is obviously incorrect.        

 

Screen Captures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio:

No artificial bumps which seems somehow appropriate, but the listed mono audio can't possibly be correct. The film has some real explosively loud moments and there is some separation. Another review reported this as 4.0 and it may very well be accurate. Bottom line, no matter what it is, gives a full sound both clear and consistent enough to appreciate the film on a grand level. There are no DUBs offered. There is a choice of subtitles in English (CC) in a narrow/bond font that is acceptably readable.

 

Extras:
There are no extra features.    

Menus

 

BOTTOM LINE: The film comes across as a production mish-mash but aside from the silly slow-mo ending I have always enjoyed it. I'm so glad to report the ITV DVD is up to the transfer challenge both visually and aurally. It bodes well for future offerings... of which we are most anxious. Outside of a theatrical retrospective (which I'll assume this film will never get) this is the best way to see it. It's fun and silly but a shade ahead of its time as the concept seems more plausible, but still unlikely, in today's cynical and manipulative political atmosphere. There is no real sense of performances but the entire film is carried by the conspiracy narrative - and that's okay. I suppose there is some nostalgia in this film for me being a much more naive boy when it first surfaced. Hey, it's not all bad and this DVD looks surprisingly impressive.      

Gary Tooze

 

 

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