R.P.M. Blu-ray - Anthony Quinn

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

Directed by Stanley Kramer
USA 1970

The films of director Stanley Kramer (Ship of Fools, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?) reflected social and political concerns of their time and tackled controversial subjects head on. The little-seen 1970 feature R.P.M., set amidst the turmoil of late-60s anti-war student protests, is no exception.

As activists seize control of a California college, a free-thinking, anti-establishment college professor (Anthony Quinn) finds himself in a precarious position when he's invested as University President and must decide between restoring order or sanctioning a descent into anarchy.

***

Set against the political turmoil of the late 60's, R.P.M. (Revolutions Per Minute) stars Anthony Quinn as "Paco" Perez, a free-thinking liberal college professor whom the campus leftists regard as an authority figure they can understand. Perez is also free-thinking enough to have a grad student as a mistress, Rhoda (Ann-Margret). When the University President is forced out of office by a radical group, Perez is given the job, but his credibility with the activists comes into question when he's unable to meet their demands as quickly as they would like. Rossiter (Gary Lockwood) and Dempsey (Paul Winfield), two of the activist leaders, threaten to destroy the university's new computer network (remember, this was back in the day before you could buy a computer for a thousand bucks), and Perez calls in the cops, which only fans the flames of a tense situation. R.P.M. was written by Erich Segal, before he was to find success with another story set (in part) on a college campus, Love Story.

Excerpt from B+N located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 16th, 1970 (New York City, New York)

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Review: Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: Reissued on Blu-ray in the UK by Indicator in August 2024:
Distribution	Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:31:58.638
Video	1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,423,210,962 bytes Feature: 28,793,306,688 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Isolated Score: LPCM Audio Undetermined 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Indicator 1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,423,210,962 bytes Feature: 28,793,306,688 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio commentary with film historian Paul Talbot • Interview with composer Barry De Vorzon (2018) (13:27) • Isolated music & effects track • TV spot (1:03) • Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Jeff Billington, an overview of contemporary critical responses, historic articles, and film credits World premiere on Blu-ray Limited Edition of 3,000 copies Blu-ray Release Date: January 21st, 2019 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 10

Comments:

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

Indicator bring the Stanley Kramer film R.P.M. to a new Blu-ray edition. It's on a dual-layered Blu-ray in 1080P with a max'ed bitrate. The higher resolution exports some consistent grain textures and it easily indentifies the disparity between Quinn's face with no filter and Ann-Margret's that was shot with a softer look. The image quality is that good with high detail in close-ups and well;-layered contrast. Certain colors have richness an depth - looking authentic and not embellished.

R.P.M. is presented in its original mono via a linear PCM (24-bit) track. Perry Botkin Jr. and Barry De Vorzon's (Looker, Dillinger, Rolling Thunder, Hard Times, The Warriors) including Stop! I Don't Wanna' Hear It Anymore and We Don't Know Where We're Goin' sung by Melanie, as well as When I Get Home To You and All Night Long performed by Chris Morgan. The audio quality is strong with energetic vocalizations and audible dialogue. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on this Region FREE Blu-ray.

Indicator add an audio commentary with 'Kramer Scholar' Paul Talbot who is extremely detailed, formal and expert in discussing the minutia of the film's production, as well Kramer and some of the cast including ex. Ann-Margret's dyed red hair. It's very educational if a bit dry. There is also a new (2018) 14-minute interview with composer Barry De Vorzon discussing how he got into the business with Perry Botkin Jr. (orchestrations) while he wrote the music. This score is also available as an isolated music & effects track option, a TV spot and Image gallery of on-set and promotional photography. The package comes with a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Jeff Billington, an overview of contemporary critical responses, historic articles, and film credits. It is limited to 3,000 copies.

One of the lines from R.P.M. states that 'nothing changes' in regards to the student disenchantment with the 'system'... and I couldn't help but think how accurate that is - even today. This is not Stanley Kramer's best film but is supported with music of the period and the fine performances - there is a touch of humor and it focuses on communication and an elderly man coming to grips with eventually being out-of-touch with the modern world around him. The Blu-ray transfer is 'Indicator-standard' perfect and the commentary - very professional - I think it is worth a spin or two - especially with those who have nostalgia about the early 70s or are fans of Quinn or Ann-Margret - who, incidentally, share an interesting chemistry in their May/December romance. Recommended!