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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

directed by Robert Sparr
USA 19
68

 

Saddle up for a thrilling tale of heroes and villains in this "thought-provoking" western with "an ending that is truly different" (Film and Television Daily). Starring "tall, dark and handsome" (Hollywood Citizen-News) Clint Walker (Sam Whiskey) and the legendary Vincent Price (The Last Man on Earth) in one of his most colorful roles, this action-packed drama aims high and hits its mark! After serving 18 years, "Killer" Cain (Walker) is released from prison, determined never to touch a gun again. But the only job he can get is with Dan Ruffalo's (Price) traveling sideshow as the sharp-shooting main attraction. As Cain works to build an honest future free of bullets and bloodshed, his enemies look to settle old scores. Now Cain must risk his new life to become the "Killer" once more…or be haunted by his past forever.

 

  Theatrical Release: December 1968

Reviews                                                                     More Reviews                                                               DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Cover

   

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:40:57  1:41:13.358 
Video 1.82:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.57 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
1080P Single-layered Blu-ray
Disc Size: 23,563,383,723 bytes
Feature: 21,252,182,016 bytes
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Total Video Bitrate: 24.91 Mbps

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Bitrate: Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)   DTS-HD Master Audio English 1564 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1564 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Subtitles English, French, Spanish, None None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.82:1

Edition Details:

• Trailer (:59)

DVD Release Date: May 17th, 2005

Keep Case
Chapters: 20

Release Information:
Studio: K
ino

 

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray
Disc Size: 23,563,383,723 bytes
Feature: 21,252,182,016 bytes
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Total Video Bitrate: 24.91 Mbps

 

Edition Details:
• Clint Walker Interview (10:18)

• Trailer (1:00)
 

Blu-ray Release Date: November 11th, 2014
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9

 

 

 

Comments:

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

 

ADDITION: Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (November 14'): Significant increase over the interlaced SD transfer - as evidenced by the matching captures. The higher resolution brings out detail, flesh tones gain normalcy and contrast is more layered. Lossless audio, but no subtitles. Extras include a Clint Walker interview. This is certainly the way to go - passing on the flawed MGM DVD. The Blu-ray is single-layered but provides a very decent presentation - notably against the DVD. 

***

ON THE DVD: I think it is officially time for MGM to change whoever is doing their DVD  authoring. I had real trouble getting screen captures for this review. I could have easily have obtained 6 with extensive "combing" indicating this was not transferred progressively and because the prevalence this is virtually unwatchable on a LCD/TFT display . I felt I owed it to the film to get some decent images. Colors seem okay if a shade washed out - the image can tend to look very soft at times though. This actually isn't a bad little western, and probably deserved better than this DVD treatment. An optional Spanish DUB is included and the standard (for MGM) Spanish, French and English subtitle options. No extras save a weak non-progressive trailer. For tube owners only. out of    

   Gary W. Tooze

 





Menus

 

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT


 


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

 

Subtitle Sample (only DVD offers subtitles)

 

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Screen Captures

 

1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) Kino Lorber  - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Bad Combing throughout DVD...
 

More Blu-ray Captures

 

Box Cover

   

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 





 

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