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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

H D - S E N S E I

A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Run Silent, Run Deep [Blu-ray]

 

(Robert Wise, 1958)

 

 

Reissued by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray in January 2024:

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions

Video: Kino Lorber

 

Disc:

Region: 'A' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:33:00.908

Disc Size: 20,260,108,327 bytes

Feature Size: 19,586,623,488 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.93 Mbps

Chapters: 8

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: September 23rd, 2014

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1580 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1580 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)

 

Subtitles:

English, None

 

Extras:

Trailer (2:05)

 

Bitrate:

 

Description: The contrasting acting styles of Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster serve to increase the already high tension level of the WW2 drama Run Silent, Run Deep. Gable plays submarine commander "Rich" Richardson, who assumes command of the USS Nerka. Because his previous sub was sunk by the Japanese under highly suspect circumstances, Richardson inspires nothing but animosity from his new crew. Particularly hostile is executive officer Lt. Jim Bledsoe (Burt Lancaster), who'd assumed that he was next in line to command the Nerka. Obsessed with tracking down the Japanese destroyer that sank his old sub, Richardson drives his crew mercilessly, and even disobeys direct orders from his own higher-ups. The Nerka manages to blast the Japanese vessel out of the waters, but in so doing the sub is placed in dire peril in enemy waters. In his desperate efforts to save the Nerka, Richardson at long last wins the respect of Bledsoe and the rest of the crew. Featured in the cast of Run Silent, Run Deep are Burt Lancaster's old circus partner Nick Cravat, and, in his unbilled movie debut, Don Rickles.

 

 

The Film:

You have to like submarine pictures to like "Run Silent, Run Deep," the Hecht, Hill and Lancaster entry that arrived at the Victoria yesterday. For this is a submarine picture, every tense, exciting moment of the way—a straight tale of undersea adventure, all-male and all-submarine.

But if you do like this sort of picture, this one should take you down deep. A better film about war beneath the ocean and about guys in the "silent service" has not been made.

That is a sweeping statement, considering some of the good ones there have been, including the fairly recent "The Enemy Below." But this one, teased on a novel of the same title by Comdr. Edward L. Beach, a wartime submariner in the Pacific, has more than drama. It has the hard, cold ring of truth.

Excerpt from NY Times located HERE

For all the restrictions they pose in terms of setting, submarine films have long been a popular sub-genre of the war movie. Their success continues to this day with such films as U-571 (2000) and K-19: The Widowmaker (2002). The confined space actually helps to heighten the sense of danger and tension, while the vessel's mission makes for exciting action sequences. And both of these aspects are exploited to great effect in Run Silent, Run Deep (1958).

In a story that has echoes of Moby Dick, Clark Gable plays the captain of a submarine sunk by the Japanese during World War II who is given a chance to command another one after a year at a desk job. Focused almost entirely on revenge against the destroyer that sunk his previous vessel, he finds himself pitted against his second-in-command (Burt Lancaster) and facing a mutiny for putting his new crew in unnecessary danger.

Lancaster's rise to the highest pinnacle of Hollywood fame enabled him to find projects and produce the films he wanted to make under the banner of his HHL production company. Typically, HHL would find the material and convince United Artists to finance and distribute the movies, but in this case, it was the studio that bought the property, a novel by 30-year naval officer Capt. Edward L. Beach. HHL was asked to develop it. Lancaster saw himself in the role of the daring executive officer who bucks the more conservative and hard-nosed commander. For that role, the company struck a one-picture deal with Clark Gable, who was no longer top box office but still one of the most enduring and popular stars of Hollywood.

Excerpt fromTCM located HERE

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

The classic submarine thriller Run Silent, Run Deep has arrived on Blu-ray from Kino-Lorber. The single-layered image is a shade inconsistent texture but generally contrast has some very pleasing layers. It can look quite strong with plenty of instances of depth. A bit of noise creeps into some scenes but it looks more like weakness in the source that a flaw in the 1080P transfer. There is a tightness and depth - in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio. I was pleased with the presentation. This Blu-ray should export an appealing image on most systems. There is little-to-no damage.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

Kino use a DTS-HD Master stereo track at 1580 kbps. There are plenty of submarine effects that sound solid in the lossless. More impacting is the powerful Franz Waxman (Rebecca, Bride of Frankenstein, Rear Window, Sunset Boulevard) score that adds a keen edge of suspense to the proceedings. There is some depth via the uncompressed. There are optional English subtitles offered (see sample above) and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

 

 

Extras :

Only a trailer. This is a very strong film and deserves some discussion - or better, a commentary - but we have none.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
I watched Run Silent, Run Deep twice in a row. I think this is one of the better 'Sub' adventure films I've seen in a long while. I was really into it. The Kino-Lorber Blu-ray offers a strong 1080P transfer. We certainly recommend to those keen on this genre. I'd have appreciated some extras - but even as a bare-bones disc this has enough value to warrant ownership. 

Gary Tooze

September 19th, 2014

 

 

Reissued by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray in January 2024:

 

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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