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

H D - S E N S E I

A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Captain Carey U.S.A. [Blu-ray]

(Mitchell Leisen, 1950)

The 2024 Kino Blu-ray is reviewed / compared HERE

Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Theatrical: Paramount

Video: Olive Films

Disc:

Region: 'A' (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:23:12.988

Disc Size: 13,893,156,581 bytes

Feature Size: 13,700,259,840 bytes

Video Bitrate: 20.00 Mbps

Chapters: 8

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: August 21st, 2012

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 848 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 848 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)

Subtitles:

• None

Extras:

• None

Bitrate:

Description: Alan Ladd (Appointment with Danger) plays the title role in this film noir about a former OSS operative who returns to Italy after the war to avenge the death of resistance worker Giulia (Wanda Hendrix), but only to find out that his "deceased" lover is not only still alive, but also the wife of a powerful Italian baron (Francis Lederer). Carey decides to stick around, hoping to flush out the traitor who'd caused the wartime deaths of several of his OSS colleagues and resistance fighters. Enhanced by the incidental musical number "Mona Lisa", which subsequently won the 1951 Academy Award for Best Original Song and later became an all-time classic. Directed by Mitchell Leisen (No Man of Her Own).

The Film:

Alan Ladd plays the title role in Captain Carey USA. A former OSS operative, Captain Carey returns to Italy after the war to avenge the death of resistance worker Giulia (Wanda Hendrix.) Much to his surprise, Carey finds that his "deceased" lover is not only still alive, but also the wife of a powerful Italian nobleman (Francis Lederer). He also discovers to his sorrow that the far-from-grateful Italian villagers hold the Americans responsible for their current financial travails. Still, Carey sticks around, hoping to flush out the traitor who'd caused the wartime deaths of several of his OSS colleagues. The box-office success of Captain Carey USA was enhanced by the incidental musical number "Mona Lisa," which subsequently won an Academy Award.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

The 2024 Kino Blu-ray is reviewed / compared HERE

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

Captain Carey U.S.A. has a typically modest Blu-ray transfer from Olive Films. This is only single-layered and contrast is acceptable but not dynamic. The source seems to be the focal point of any imperfections with frequent speckles. Detail is modest - probably minutely superior to SD and there is no real depth but there is some grain. The Blu-ray is nothing special but does supply a very watchable presentation.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

Audio :

Authentically flat DTS-HD mono track at 848 kbps. There is no depth or range to speak of but it seems a faithful transfer without flaws. Moments have a bit of depth but other than that the sound is consistent without flaws. There are no subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

Extras :

No supplements - not even a trailer which is the bare-bones route that Olive are going with their releases.

BOTTOM LINE:
Captain Carey U.S.A. is not a great film and Ladd is the savior from it being a notably poor one. It has weaknesses in many areas but the plot does hold together to ignite some intrigue. The Blu-ray - not surprisingly - is about the same level of the film. I can't really give it any endorsement but perhaps Ladd fans (of which I am one) may find it a decent, although not stirring, distraction.

Gary Tooze

August 10th, 2012

The 2024 Kino Blu-ray is reviewed / compared HERE

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 5000 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.

Gary's Home Theatre:

60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD

Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD Player
Momitsu - BDP-899 Region FREE Blu-ray player
Marantz SA8001 Super Audio CD Player
Marantz SR7002 THX Select2 Surround Receiver
Tannoy DC6-T (fronts) + Energy (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V

Gary W. Tooze

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