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H D - S E N S E IA view on Hi-def DVDs by Gary W. Tooze |
Dr. No [Blu-ray]
(Terence Young, 1962)
Review by Gary Tooze
Studio: MGM Video: MGM / 20th Century Fox
Discs: Region: 'A' Feature Runtime: 1:49:50 Chapters: 24 Feature film disc size: 28.49 Gig One dual-layered Blu-ray Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: October 21st, 2008
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 Resolution: 1080p
Audio:
Supplements:
•
Audio Commentary with
director Terence Young and members of the cast and crew
•
Radio Communication (8:29)
Product Description: With DR. NO the first of the James Bond films director Terence Young and leading man Sean Connery set the precedent for what would become one of the most popular influential and long-lasting series ever made. Bond makes his first famous introduction "Bond James Bond" in an upscale casino to a saucy brunette named Slyvia Trench (Eunice Gayson) who he promptly coaxes into a dinner date. Back at Secret Service Headquarters M (Bernard Lee) assigns Bond to a mission in Jamaica.
An agent who was investigating strange activity with nuclear weapons in Cape Canaveral has disappeared and Bond is to take up where he left off. His contact CIA operative Felix Leiter (Jack Lord) reminds Bond that his title "007" means he has license to kill not be killed. This advice comes in handy in Jamaica as assassins relentlessly emerge from the woodwork desperately trying to bring Bond down. Bond makes his way to Crab Key Island to find evil scientist Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) the primary suspect. There he is met with the obstacle of Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) a deadly beauty who emerges from the sea in a tiny bikini with a knife holster slung about her hips in one of the most seductive Bond-girl moments of all time. With a striking lack of gadgets DR. NO is a heartier mystery than subsequent films in the series providing for some excellent adventures in which Bond must rely on his own clever spy skills to get out of sticky situations...
The Film: Little did the audiences of 1963 know they were witnessing the start of a cinematic phenomenon whereby a low budget film starring an unknown Scottish actor would go on to spawn the most successful franchise in movie history. Nearly 20 films later, James Bond is still going strong. "Dr. No" opens in Jamaica where two British Secret Service agents have been brutally murdered. James Bond, special agent, licence to kill, is sent to investigate. Bond survives numerous attempts on his life and quickly learns of the mysterious Doctor No, a recluse who seems to be behind various goings-on. Bond travels to Doctor No's island and finds himself embroiled in a deadly plot..
Excerpt from BBC Online located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.
Of the three Connery Bond's that I've covered, to date, on Blu-ray - Dr. No looks the best yet - which may be surprising as it is the oldest film . Colors are vibrant and detail shows a good deal of gratifying sharpness. Black levels are pitch. The image overall is quite beautiful - far in advance of anything put to SD-DVD. It resides on a dual-layered Blu-ray and the feature takes up 28.5 Gig. It felt like I was watching this initial Bond entry, for the very first time - what an addictive image. I am blown away by this image clarity, tightness and pristine contrast. Noise is minimal and grain is replaced with a natural smoothness that I assume theatre go-ers saw as well over 45 years ago. No DNR or edge-enhancement in sight - this image quality is marvelous.NOTE: We have compared to stills from the region 1 Special Edition SD-DVD which is handily blown away by this new 1080P transfer.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
MGM Special Edition - Region 1- TOP vs. MGM/Fox - Region 'A' Blu-ray BOTTOM
MGM Special Edition - Region 1- TOP vs. MGM/Fox - Region 'A' Blu-ray BOTTOM
Audio & Music:
Extras:
Bottom line:
Gary Tooze October 17th, 2008
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