Man Hunt Blu-ray - Joan Bennnett

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

USA 1941

Director Fritz Lang's political thriller follows a British hunter's attempts to outrun Nazi agents after he targets Adolf Hitler. While on holiday in Bavaria, willdlife hunter Alan Thorndike (Walter Pidgeon) stumbles upon the Fuhrer's country retreat, eventually spotting Hitler in the gardens. After lining up the leader in the crosshairs of his empty rifle, Thorndike is arrested by members of Hitler's Gestapo bodyguard, who try to beat a confession out of him. After eventually escaping and navigating a tortuous route back to Britain, Thorndike is forced to seek help from local seamstress Jerry Stokes (Joan Bennett) when he discovers German agents are hunting him down.

***

One of the best-loved of Lang's spy dramas, MAN HUNT is a superbly exciting, tightly constructed picture which stars Pidgeon, terrific as Thorndike, a big-game hunter in the Bavarian Alps who accidentally discovers that he has a chance to assassinate Hitler. Apprehended by Gestapo leader Quive-Smith (Sanders), he refuses to sign a confession and is beaten and left for dead. With the help of a friendly youngster (McDowall), Thorndike stows away on a Danish steamer. Also on board, however, is the mysterious, umbrella-wielding Mr. Jones (Carradine), who has Thorndike's passport and has taken his identity. Befriended by a friendly cockney prostitute (Bennett, rarely better) in London, Thorndike eventually has a memorable showdown with Jones in a subway tunnel. Our dashing hero isn't out of danger yet, though; Quive-Smith threatens as well, and it's up to a hatpin to save the day.

Excerpt from TV Guide located HERE

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Theatrical Release: June 13th, 1941

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Comparison:

20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

1) 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - MIDDLE

3) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Covers
Distribution	20th Century Fox Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC	Twilight Time Region FREE - Blu-ray	Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:42:21	1:42:29.184	1:42:27.850
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.86 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	Disc Size: 32,344,281,679 bytes Feature Size: 30,952,519,680 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video	Disc Size: 39,540,414,408 bytes Feature Size: 30,236,415,168 bytes Average Bitrate: 35.01 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate: Twilight Time Blu-ray
Bitrate Signal One: Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby Digital mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1052 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1052 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit / DN -3dB) Commentary: DTS Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / 24-bit Isolated Score: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1794 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1794 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit / DN -6dB)	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
Subtitles	English, French, Spanish, None	English, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by author Patrick McGilligan • Rogue Male: The Making of Man Hunt (16:43) • Restoration Comparison • Advertising Gallery • Artwork Gallery • Stills Gallery DVD Release Date: May 19th, 2009 Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Twilight Time Disc Size: 32,344,281,679 bytes Feature Size: 30,952,519,680 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Commentary by Patrick McGilligan • Rogue Male: the Making of Man Hunt (16:38) • Isolated Music & Effects Track • Original Theatrical Trailer (1:50) Liner Notes by Julie Kirgo Limited to 3,000 copies! Blu-ray Release Date: August, 2014 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Signal One Disc Size: 39,540,414,408 bytes Feature Size: 30,236,415,168 bytes Average Bitrate: 35.01 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Commentary by author Patrick McGilligan • The Biggest Game (20:57) • The Woman is Dangerous (26:30) • Rogue Mate: The Making of Man Hunt (16:38) • Artwork & Stills Galleries • Original Theatrical Trailer (1:50) DVD included Blu-ray Release Date: June 19th, 2017 Standard (UK) Thick Blu-ray Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray June 17'': There is no differences in the image quality between the Twilight Time and the Signal One Blu-ray releases. The UK transfer is also dual-layered with a max'ed out bitrate and we've compared a few captures below. Bottom line: same strong 1080P visuals.

Signal One use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) and my ears can't distinguish a difference with Twilight Time's DTS-HD Master track. The score by Alfred Newman (Cry of the City, The Diary of Anne Frank, Bus Stop, Blood and Sand, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Panic in the Streets, The Song of Bernadette etc. etc.) and David Buttolph's (Rope, Three Secrets, Kiss of Death, Blood and Sand, Boomerang) sounds tight and clean - authentically flat with only minor depth. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on the Region 'B' Blu-ray disc.

Signal One has the same commentary by author Patrick McGilligan (author of many books including Fritz Lang: The Nature of the Beast), as well as the 16-minute Rogue Mate: The Making of Man Hunt. They add more with two Fiction Factory documentaries with The Biggest Game - a 21-minute piece with Jan-Christopher Horak on Fritz Lang's Man Hunt and Hollywood's anti-Nazi films. I especially appreciated, the 27-minute The Woman is Dangerous interview with filmmaker Vanessa Wanger Hope who talks passionately about her grandparents — Hollywood star Joan Bennett and producer Walter Wanger — and the pair’s collaboration with director Fritz Lang on no less than four films. There is a two galleries; Artwork & Stills, an original theatrical trailer and the dual-format package includes a DVD.

Signal One Blu-ray equals the strong a/v of the Twilight Time but nudges ahead in the supplements with two very pleasing featurettes. The UK Blu-ray package is the definitive release of this Fritz Lang gem. Strongly recommended!

***

ADDITION: Twilight Time Blu-ray - September 14': Okay, I didn't notice the same greenish tinge on this 1080P transfer that Mitch noted on the DVD although it may be there less prominently. The Twilight Time high resolution visuals improve in all the anticipated areas - it is slightly darker and shows more grain textures. Sharper, superior contrast - just a better overall image. Lossless audio for the Alfred Newman + David Buttolph score - optional subtitles (see sample).

The Blu-ray offers some of the same extras as the SD - Patrick McGilligan (author of many books including Fritz Lang: The Nature of the Beast) doesn't sound totally comfortable but the commentary seems to flow more smoothly as it progresses. The first half seems scripted and the rest less formal. He reflects on the novel that the film was based; Rogue Male. Aside from being a bit dry - it is very professional and he is quite prepared - imparting layer after layer of valuable information - some on Fritz Lang's ability to follow studio edict or infuse his film's with more of his own vision. No question this guy knows his stuff! I felt I learned a great deal. There is also a 17-minute 'Making of...' that has McGilligan and others giving input over segments of the film and other production details. It's quite good although I felt it could have been longer. We lose the restoration sample but gain the isolated score and Julie Kirgo's liner notes. Great film - great Blu-ray - limited to 3,000 copies - I wouldn't wait if you were keen.

***

ON THE DVD: Mitch tells us in email: "I just got the DVD "Man Hunt" from Amazon and the image appears to be fine as far as sharpness and artifacts. However, part way through the film the right side of the monochrome image takes on a faint greenish tinge, sort of like the monochrome of Kino discs. And sometimes on a plain white background (like the sky when Jones releases his pigeon messenger, or on the letter that Thorndike opens in his cave) there is some chroma. I also notice the film clips in the documentary appear greenish. I don't see the same thing on your screen captures, but the problem isn't in the early part of the film. It happens some time later about the time Thorndike boards the freighter, perhaps when the disc changes layers. Have you noticed this? I was wondering if I have a defective disc. Please let me know what you think. I do want a good copy of this great movie. I know the problem is not with my TV or disc player. I've had no similar problems with other discs. Thanks." (Thank YOU Mitch!)

The restoration has some strong moments. There are also other parts where the 'repair' seems to have been more prominently focused - turning damage marks or other weaknesses into highly watchable scenes. Few will notice the lesser spots and the dual-layered DVD supports a wonderful presentation. Contrast looks strong with some possible minor black levels boosting but there is some noise in the muddier backgrounds. Close-ups show surprising detail. Yes, this is very good with decent greytones and no untoward manipulations. Fox has done this title quite proud for standard definition.

Audio gives the option of 2.0 channel stereo or original mono. Purists may opt for the latter but I didn't note a lot of difference (both being clear and consistent) although my testing was limited. There are optional yellow subtitles in English, Spanish or French and the disc is coded for region 1 in the NTSC standard.

Patrick McGilligan doesn't sound totally comfortable but the commentary seems to flow more smoothly as it progresses. The first half seems scripted and the rest less formal. He reflects on the novel that the film was based; Rogue Male. Aside from being a bit dry - it is very professional and he is quite prepared - imparting layer after layer of valuable information - some on Fritz Lang's ability to follow studio edict or infuse his film's with more of his own vision. No question this guy knows his stuff! I felt I learned a great deal. There is also a 17-minute 'Making of...' that has McGilligan and others giving input over segments of the film and other production details. It's quite good although I felt it could have been longer. A comparison is shown between the film transfer and the restoration, but I honestly don't see much in these as the image is only half the DVD screen. There is also a trailer and some galleries (Advertising, Artwork, Stills) available in a click-thru fashion.

I don't know of too many film fans who would pass on this title. It's so encouraging to see this restored and available now on DVD. The film is a pure classic and the commentary and extras add essential value to the package that is being offered for only $10. I'd have paid triple myself. Strongly recommended.