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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "Batman: The Movie" )
directed by Leslie H. Martinson
USA 1966
Once I got
over my initial disappointment of finding this was not the
Tim Burton movie of 1989, I settled into one of those rare
TV-movie movies that seemed simply little more than the TV
show writ large. I remember seeing Davy Crockett, King of
the Wild Frontier in the theatre in 1955 and felt a reaction
of mixed disappointment and awe. Disappointment because it
was merely three TV episodes from the Disneyland series
stitched together, but awe because the show, a favorite of
mine as a kid, had made it to the big screen – like my
father had just been promoted to vice-president of the
company. Leonard Norwitz for DVDBeaver |
Posters
Theatrical Release: July 30th, 1966
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - RIGHT
)Box Covers |
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Distribution |
20th Century Fox (Special Edition) Region 1 - NTSC |
20th Century Fox
Blu-ray Region A |
Runtime | 1:44:48 | 1:44:53 |
Video |
1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced
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1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (mono), DUB: French (mono) |
English (DTS HD 5.1), English (mono), DUB: French (mono) |
Subtitles | English, Spanish, none | English, French, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 32 |
Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD Release Date:
July 1st, 2008 Chapters 32 |
Comments |
NOTE: NOTE: The Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. We've linked 2 of the images to see full 1920 X 1080 resolution. It's interesting to note the differences, but it's plain to see the improvement (even with a 5X bitrate) isn't extravagant. Skin tones are superior (as are all colors) - there is less noise, it's expectantly smoother - you even get a shade more information in the frame in this Blu-ray... but frankly the upgrade, solely for the image, is not endorsed - especially considering the price differential. These still captures don't tell the whole story but we believe it indicates enough and supports what I also see on my system. The SD has had a bit of boosting but detail shows no obvious winner.
The other upgrades come from the DTS-HD 5.1 audio and it has a few selected moments but overall I couldn't say I noticed enough sequences of vast improvement over the SD to warrant a Blu-ray purchase. NOTE: No doubt it is an improvement, just taking into account all factors I wasn't overly appreciative of the 5.1 bump (I'm a mono guy at heart). Supplements - again in favor of the BRD (with more - see listing above) but I'm still wading through them. I enjoyed the West-Ward commentary and even the more tech-based one with Semple. I'm not particularly into the gimmicky Holy Trivia track pop-up stuff etc. The BRD featurettes are in HD and to this point I am enjoying... but its becoming a chore. Don't get me wrong, I liked the old Batman TV series as much as anyone - I just feel that so much attention put into this package isn't warranted when there are so many great films, Fox films!, not yet on SD-DVD or Blu-ray. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. Leonard Norwitz states: ' Image/Audio/Extras: Gary says: I certainly don't want this comparison to appear to be a slight on Blu-ray. We can see immense value and differences in 1080P resolution, as one example, The Searchers (compared HERE). Batman: the Movie doesn't seem to support a Blu-ray purchase excepting in the rare circumstance that you are a die-hard fan with money to burn. The SD is less than $10 and has the WW commentary (and cool menus!) - where the Blu-ray is $26.95 with a superior image (marginal to most) and a few more bell and whistles. We most assuredly lean to the SD for value. NOTE: This is an early comparison using the Blu-ray images - we hope to utilize this more often in the future and expect Blu-ray to identify immense improvement (as in the Life of Brian comparison HERE). But this time, for us, it didn't. - Gary Tooze |
Menus
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 -
NTSC - LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox
Blu-ray Region A - RIGHT)
Screen Captures
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
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(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
CLICK ON THIS BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION!
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
CLICK ON THIS BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION!
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)
(20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. 20th Century Fox Blu-ray Region A - BOTTOM)