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Tora! Tora! Tora! [Blu-ray]
(Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda, 1970)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Video: 20th Century Fox
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 2:25:02.398 / 2:28:53.153 Disc Size: 44,187,303,291 bytes Feature Size: 31,661,635,584 bytes / 30,852,943,872 bytes Video Bitrate: 19.95 Mbps Chapters: 31 Case: Digibook Blu-ray case Release date: December 6th, 2011
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 3740 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3740 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) * DTS Audio Japanese 768 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio Portuguese 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 4.0 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles: English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, none
Extras:
• Commentary by Director Richard Fleischer & Japanese Film
Historian Stuart Galbraith IV (Theatrical version only)
Bitrates:
Description: A Japanese-American co-production, director Richard Fleischer (SOYLENT GREEN) and two Japanese directors put together this ultrarealistic account of the bombing of Pearl Harbor as presented from the perspectives of both nations, as diplomatic tensions rise between the two countries. While the Japanese military plans its attack on American military installations, the American forces nearly stumble into a much greater calamity due to a series of errors and mistakes. As the two sides plunge closer to war, the tension escalates until the final, spectacular air raid, arguably the most realistic ever filmed. This ITA award winner has a fabulous cast, including Martin Balsam, Joseph Cotten, Jason Robards, James Whitmore, and E.G. Marshall.
The Film:
Fleischer was a good choice to head up the American aspect of Tora!
Tora! Tora! since he had previously compiled a documentary of
Japanese war footage for the 1948 Academy Award winning documentary,
Design for Death. That film provided a concrete link to the 1970 project
since the producer for Tora, Tora, Tora had edited Fleischer’s
documentary along with a few other films over the years. Excerpt from John Nesbit at CultureCartel located HERE Tora! Tora! Tora! is meticulous in its approach to dissecting the situation leading up to the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Whereas most movies about the war in the Pacific have a tendency to demonize the Japanese (in the same way that the majority of films about the European theater make the Germans unequivocal villains), Tora! Tora! Tora! elects to be even-handed, presenting both the Japanese and American sides of the story, and doing so without resorting to caricatures or cheap shots. The Japanese are not faceless bad guys, nor are the Americans presented as innocent, blameless victims. Excerpt from James Berardinelli at ReelViewslocated HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Tora! Tora! Tora! was problematic on DVD but Fox's new Blu-ray has improved quite strongly in all digital transfer areas. What this package gives us is the theatrical version and the 'Extended Japanese version' -about 3.5 minutes longer. They are seamlessly branched on the same dual-layered disc and therefore export the exact same audio and video quality. This Blu-ray is exceptionally sharp with strong contrast. There is depth and consistency in colors (skin tones). Aside from maybe one or two scenes that looked less HD (recall there are stock footage inserts) this is a solid visual presentation. This Blu-ray does its job well - looking frequently impressive - clear, clean and sharp with no visible manipulations. Thumbs up.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :Audio is transferred via a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3740 kbps. The Surround can surprise at times and the overall bombing, fire, guns etc. sound crisp enough with some potent depth. The Jerry Goldsmith score sounds better than I've ever heard it. There are some foreign language DUBs and subtitle options and m y Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras : Supplements duplicate the extras from the latest DVD package with the excellent Fleischer / Galbraith commentary (only available on the theatrical version) exporting loads of information - both production based and historically. Included is the extensive 1/.5 hour documentary History vs. Hollywood – TORA! TORA! TORA!: A Giant Awakes as well as the 22-minute AMC Backstory®: TORA! TORA! TORA! and 11 FOX Movietone Newsreels running just shy of 40-minutes in total. There is also a trailer some galleries and the disc is housed in a wonderful Collectible Hardcover Book. Very impressive.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze November 29th, 2011
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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.
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