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H D - S E N S E I

A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Crashout [Blu-ray]

(Lewis R. Foster, 1955)

The superior 2024 Kino Blu-ray of Crashout is compared HERE

Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Theatrical: Standard Productions

Video: Olive Films

Disc:

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

Runtime: 1:28:54.287

Disc Size: 19,790,358,961 bytes

Feature Size: 19,585,062,912 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.97 Mbps

Chapters: 8

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: June 25th, 2013

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 922 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 922 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)

Subtitles:

• None

Extras:

• None

Bitrate:

Description: Six ruthless convicts breakout of prison and frantically try to avoid an extensive manhunt. Once the coast is clear, the gang sets out on a long and dangerous journey by foot, train and car to retrieve bank loot. After barely surviving two deadly incidents, the men take refuge in a farmhouse as the action reaches a fever pitch. Ironically, the men start to realize that it's not the law that they need to worry about, but each other. Arthur Kennedy (Champion) co-stars with legendary Hollywood villains, William Bendix (The Blue Dahlia), Luther Adler (Hoodlum Empire), William Talman (Big House, U.S.A.), and Gene Evans (The Steel Helmet). This classic film noir will keep you at the edge of your seat.

The Film:

The theme of convicts on the lam is a favorite Hollywood standby. On a surface level, "Crashout," which accompanied the Palace's stage bill yesterday, suggests dozens of others. Yet this Filmakers release, featuring Arthur Kennedy and William Bendix and written by Hal E. Chester (who produced) and Lewis R. Foster (who directed), remains both unimportant and respectable.

The plot certainly holds few surprises', and the escapees are the usual varied types. Their stealthy flight toward buried loot is predictably bloody, be-set with double-crossing, random civilian corpses and even one romantic interlude. And justice never looked more absurd than in the whirlwind, mountaintop climax.

On the other hand, the acting of the trim, undazzling little cast is uniformly excellent. Mr. Bendix, out of his "lovable mug" rut, makes a fine, sadistic leader, banded with the extraordinarily talented Mr. Kennedy, and Luther Adler, Gene Evans, William Talman and Marshall Thompson. Add to them an effective gathering of bit players, all of whom rise nimbly to each piece of business.

Excerpt from the NY Times located HERE

Six convicts plan a prison break and are successful, though their ringleader (William Bendix) is injured in the attempt. He promises to share the fortune in gold he has stowed away if they help him get to a doctor.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

The superior 2024 Kino Blu-ray of Crashout is compared HERE

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

Crashout looks reasonably consistent on Blu-ray from Olive Films. There are a handful of muddier patches but overall this single-layered transfer produces a decent viewing. It's 1.78:1. There are minor speckles and some scenes are grainer than others. Detail is modest and there is no real depth but I had no strong complaints. The film has plenty of darker scenes but no instructive noise. The Blu-ray presentation is imperfect but does a reasonable job. It looked better than I was anticipating.

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

Audio :

Standard DTS-HD Master mono track at 922 kbps for the Blu-ray audio. It is clear and lossless but flat with hints of depth. Score is by the versatile Leith Stevens (The Night of the Grizzly, Man-Trap, The Five Pennies, The Garment Jungle, Private Hell, The Hitch-Hiker). 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 almost all of their releases.

BOTTOM LINE:
Cool little crime drama with Noirish leanings. The cast of Crashout is perfect - a shade hammy at times - but cohesive as a group. I thoroughly enjoyed by Blu-ray viewing. Those with appreciation of this era and the darker cinema will, no doubt, have a ball with this one. Recommended!

Gary Tooze

June 22nd, 2013

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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