Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Radio Adaptation (29:43)

Bitrates:

1) Armored Attack - Region FREE Blu-ray  - TOP 2) The North Star - Region FREE Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Description: In a peaceful Ukrainian village, the school year is just ending in June 1941. Five young friends set out for a walking trip to Kiev, but their travels are brutally interrupted when they are suddenly attacked by German planes, in the first wave of the Nazi assault on the Soviet Union. When the village itself is attacked and occupied, most of the men flee to the hills to form a guerrilla unit. The others resist the Nazis as well as possible, but soon the village is placed under the command of a Nazi doctor who begins using the town's children as a source of constant blood transfusions for wounded German soldiers. Meanwhile, the small group of young persons tries desperately to take a supply of firearms to the guerrillas.

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When the school year ends, five friends from a small Ukrainian village decide to travel to Kiev. Their trip is cut short when German aircraft attack and their town falls under occupation. While many escape to the hills to form an anti-Nazi resistance group, a German doctor, Dr. Otto Von Harden (Erich von Stroheim), begins to use the children for medical experiments and as sources of blood transfusions for wounded German soldiers. Directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front), this story of valiant resistance stars Dana Andrews (Laura), Anne Baxter (All About Eve), and Walter Huston (The Treasure of Sierra Madre) as the Russian doctor who discovers the nefarious German plot. In 1943,The North Star was nominated for six Academy Awards.

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from TCM located HERE

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

Firstly, this Olive Blu-ray has two editions of the film. The North Star (1943) was re-released in the midst of the Cold War as Armored Attack! (1957.) The original references to the allied Russian military were excised and an overtly anti-Communist narration track was added. This disc includes the original theatrical cut, The North Star, which runs 30 minutes longer and preserves Milestone’s initial version of the film before these politically-motivated changes were made. So, it is dual-layered with quality about the same for the two versions (the longer The North Star may actually be marginally better with a bit higher bitrate.) It looks typical for Olive - the 1080P exports some impressive contrast but there are occasional marks and speckles. Detail is decent although there is only modest depth but there is some pleasing grain textures. The Blu-ray provides a solid presentation for both versions.

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

 

1) Armored Attack - Region FREE Blu-ray  - TOP 2) The North Star - Region FREE Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio comes in the form of a DTS-HD Master - authentic mono track for both features. Effects include planes and bombing raids, but the biggest beneficiary may be the score by Aaron Copland (The Red Pony, The Heiress) with pieces like 'Song of the Fatherland' and 'Song of the Guerrillas' - all with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.  There are no subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being Region FREE - playable on Blu-ray player worldwide.

Extras :

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
This is one of the more valuable packages from Olive - offering both versions and the radio adaptation supplement. This is one of the more obvious propaganda films that I've seen and it is interesting to see what was removed as the political winds altered. You could almost say it was funny at how blatant and melodramatic it extends - although, I admit to being susceptible to its charms.  But I like the cast, Dana Andrews and Farley Granger - Anne Baxter - all good. The film on Blu-ray is more a historical artifact - and well-presented in 1080P. It's value should appeal to students keen on this topic as well as those who enjoy the performances, James Wong Howe cinematography and a master storyteller in Lewis Milestone. There is value here, but it may not appeal to everyone. 

Gary Tooze

July 10th, 2014