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Vigilante [Blu-ray]
(William Lustig, 1983)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Magnum Motion Pictures Inc. Video: Blue Underground
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:29:27.362 Disc Size: 29,087,504,901 bytes Feature Size: 26,721,312,768 bytes Video Bitrate: 32.99 Mbps Chapters: 16 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: September 21st, 2010
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 2241 kbps 7.1 / 48 kHz / 2241 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Dolby Digital EX Audio English 640 kbps 5.1-EX / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio French 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround Dolby Digital Audio German 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround Dolby Digital Audio Italian 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Portuguese, Spanish, none
Extras: • Audio Commentary #1 with Co-Producer/Director William Lustig and Co-Producer Andrew W. Garroni• Audio Commentary #2 with Co-Producer/Director William Lustig and Stars Robert Forster, Fred Williamson and Frank Pesce • Theatrical Trailers • TV Spots • Radio Spot • Promotional Reel • Still Gallery • Enhanced for D-Box Motion Control Systems
Bitrate:
Description: The Savage Urban Action Thriller From The
Director Of MANIAC!
The Film:
A knockoff of Michael Winner's 1974 box-office smash Death Wish
(which showcased Charles Bronson in his career-defining role as vengeful
architect Paul Kersey), Vigilante is a crude, obvious piece of
exploitation that's about as subtle as a wet-T-shirt contest yet just as
acceptable. With the villains portrayed as one-dimensional cretins and
the heroes as do-gooder knights, the film isn't exactly teeming with
emotional and social complexities; it merely fastens upon basic human
responses and beliefs to serve as a clinched fist of celluloid that
holds in contempt an American justice system perceived as favoring the
rights of the accused over the victim's. No matter how many times we've
seen variations of this, the topic remains irresistible enough because
it's both an ever-timely one and one that's easily identifiable -- you
don't have to have been a victim nor related to one to be outraged by
violent crime. The vigilantes here target not only the street-crime
element (like a rooftop rapist and drug peddler -- both of whom are
assaulted but not killed) but a bigwig crime kingpin (a sleazy Peter
Savage) who's currently under a RICO investigation and avers he's simply
a legitimate businessman guilty of being successful. And depicted as no
better than the street scum is the defendant-leaning judge (Vincent
Beck, who, being the ranking member of the SAG at the time, ironically
contributes the film's worst performance) and a seedy defense attorney
(a wonderfully seedy Joe Spinell, who played the title role in Lustig's
Maniac) who takes his retainers in cash and holds client conferences in
public rest rooms. Lustig and screenwriter Richard Vetere swing a wide
net and, more often than not, manage to succeed; and even if more
complexly related issues (like, say, the overburdening of court dockets
and overpopulated prisons) aren't sufficiently delved into, the
filmmakers manage to catch the tail end of them enough to briefly
resonate. While these broad strokes invalidate the film as something of
contextual merit, it nonetheless keeps it from being weighted down with
high-minded solipsism -- it's given lots of artistic leeway due to its
willingness not to aspire to much.
Vigilante on Blu-ray is described as '2K High Definition transfer from the original uncut and uncensored camera negative'. I have no suspicions that it looked dramatically different from this in its most pristine theatrical viewing. Blue Underground are competent at this. There was some pretty well film stock used in the early 80's and this looks about as good as it possibly can. This is dual-layered with a high video bitrate and the image is thick and heavy. Flesh tones seem natural and colors are bright/vibrant. By modern standards this is fairly tame visually but as a representation of the original - I doubt much more could be done. This Blu-ray probably looks like the film Vigilante and it advances beyond the last Blue Underground DVD edition in several key areas - notably detail and colors.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :I had a small issue with the DTS-HD Master 7.1 at 2241 kbps in that the music and effects were so loud that it drowned out the dialogue. I tried with the subtitles on but the variance was so dominant that I ended up switching to the 5.1 audio option which had similar discrepancies with the balance. I double checked my center channel on another couple of discs but it seemed okay. So, I am saying that this mix exported some excessive aggression that some may appreciate more than I did. I'd have preferred a simple stereo but they were only available in foreign language DUBs (3 of them - French, German and Italian). There are optional subtitles and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras :Stack'em up! Not one, but two commentary track with the first having co-producer/director William Lustig and co-producer Andrew W. Garroni focusing on more technical details while #2 is laid back by comparison and has Lustig again and stars Robert Forster, Fred Williamson and Frank Pesce enjoying each other's camaraderie. Beyond that are a slew of Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots, Radio Spot, an Italian promotional reel (in atrocious condition), a still gallery and the Blu-ray is enhanced for D-Box Motion Control Systems.
BOTTOM LINE:
If I ever do a stint in the 'Big House' (not totally out of the question, I suppose) - I can only hope that a grizzled, leather-skinned Woody Strode type is watching my back. The vigilante film has strong appeal - we are exposed these days to so much criminal-activity news and individual human violence tends to make for sellable, human-interest, copy. So, yes we can all get fed-up with the injustice that surrounds us. Who better to play the distraught everyman from the early 80's than Robert Forster and who better to lead the vigilante's than stalwart Fred Williamson. I only wish there was more... the Blu-ray is, in no way, demo material but it presents Vigilante in a competent, authentic rendering with enough positives in the package to indulge. Gary Tooze September 11th, 2010
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About the Reviewer: 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 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 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
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