Thunder Bay Blu-ray - James Stewart

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

USA 1953

Thunder Bay (1953) was the first Hollywood movie to focus on the subject of offshore oil drilling. This may not sound like the most thrilling fact, but in 1953 offshore drilling was very topical indeed, with congressional hearings and controversies surrounding it. The movie is a brawny, testosterone-charged action flick, with James Stewart and Dan Duryea as oil riggers convinced there is black gold at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. They in turn convince Jay C. Flippen, a wealthy financier, who funds their risky, storm-proof oil platform. The construction of the rig, however, disrupts a local Louisiana fishing community, and tensions build to the breaking point.

This picture may be a minor credit for both Stewart and director Anthony Mann, but even a minor film from these artists is well worth watching. Stewart and Mann had just made three outstanding westerns together - two of them produced by Aaron Rosenberg, who also produced this one. Thunder Bay was described by many at the time (including Stewart) as a modern western with boats and oil standing in for horses and guns. Even Variety made the comparison in its review: "A modern plot that deals with offshore oil drilling, instead of being a costumed, western-localed story, gives this regulation outdoor actioner an interesting switch." Certainly Stewart's character of an obsessive entrepreneur is a variation on his edgy and neurotic cowboys in Bend of the River (1952) and The Naked Spur (1953). His costume may be different, but the character is fairly similar. Stewart's and Mann's next collaboration would be The Glenn Miller Story (1953), definitely not a western in any way, after which they returned to the genre they did best with The Far Country (1954).

Excerpt from TCM located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 21st, 1953

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Comparison:

Optimum - Region 2 - PAL vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Optimum - Region 2 - PAL LEFT

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Cover		Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Optimum - Region 2 - PAL	Kino Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:38:30	1:42:46.952
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.88 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	Disc Size: 24,261,264,925 bytes Feature Size: 22,720,014,336 bytes Average Bitrate: 23.95 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 23.976 fps
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)	Dolby TrueHD Audio English 1372 kbps 3.0 / 48 kHz / 1372 kbps / 16-bit (AC3 Embedded: 3.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Commentary Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Optimum Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer (2:09) DVD Release Date: January 26th, 2009 Keep Case Chapters: 12	Release Information: Studio: Kino Disc Size: 24,261,264,925 bytes Feature Size: 22,720,014,336 bytes Average Bitrate: 23.95 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 23.976 fps Edition Details: • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Toby Roan • Trailer (2:15) Blu-ray Release Date: July 9th, 2019 Standard Blu-ray case Chapters 8

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - (June 2019) - Fans of Anthony Mann are treated to a new Blu-ray from Kino in the theatrically shown widescreen. About the aspect ratio - here is a blurb from IMDb's trivia about the film: "Although filmed in the standard 1.37-1 aspect ratio, Thunder Bay was chosen by Optimum-International as its first wide screen feature, accomplishing this by cropping the top and bottom and projecting it at 1.85-1 at Loew's State Theatre in New York City, as well as other sites. Its initial presentation also marked UI's first use of directional stereophonic sound."

The 1080P image can have a yellow/green bias (more noticeable in the first 1/2 hour) but still advances handily beyond the SD in terms of detail, depth and contrast. Flesh tones warm and, overall, it looked very pleasing in-motion on my system although far from 'great'.

NOTE: We have added 28 more large resolution Kino Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

While theatrically shown with a 3 channel Stereo (Western Electric Recording) Kino attempt to recreated that with the option of a Dolby TrueHD 3.0 channel (AC3 embedded) as well as the choice of a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel - both in original English and at 16-bit. I can't say I heard extensive separation but I did appreciate the attempt. The film has some, mostly, Marine related effects. Frank Skinner's occasionally dramatic score (The Appaloosa, Madame X, Magnificent Obsession, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, All That Heaven Allows, and The Naked City) sounds supportive in the lossless with some reasonable depth. has There are optional English subtitles (see sample) and the Blu-ray disc is Region 'A'-locked.

Kino add another news audio commentary - this one by Toby Roan informs us of many details about the production including how the studio felt Joanne Dru's jeans were 'too tight in the rear-end' and a memo was sent to 'let out the fabric' for it to appear less distracting. His commentary is at the usual high level filling the presentation with tidbits of the performers, Mann and related minutia. There is also Thunder Bay trailer and trailers for other films.

Not premium Mann but the collaboration with Stewart gives the viewing value as does the commentary as part of the Blu-ray package. Fans of the director or cast should indulge.

***

ON THE DVD: NOTE: Thunder Bay is also available in the incredibly reasonable James Stewart: Screen Legend Collection (which includes Shenandoah / The Glenn Miller Story / Thunder Bay / You Gotta Stay Happy / Next Time, We Love) I believe it is anamorphic 1.85:1 (Thanks Jason!)

The single-layered bare-bones Optimum DVD looks a bit drab. Colors aren't at the level of the DVD of Desert Fury. It shows some minor frailty but looked just fine on my system. Audio is unremarkable but clear and consistent enough to enjoy the film (which I, surely, did). This is region 2 PAL and the good news is that I don't see excessive manipulation and the image is quite clean.

There are no extras save a trailer. Mann-Stewart fans may be intrigued. It's not up to their more lauded work but definitely worth seeing. I loved it!

Gary W. Tooze

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