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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Sidney Salkow
Italy / USA 1964
The Ostalgica, Region 'B' Blu-ray with the b/w, color and longer Italian cut
of The Last Man on Earth is reviewed compared HERE
A mysterious bacterium has swept over the world and left everyone dead except for epidemiologist Morgan (Price), who picked up an immunity to the germ years before while working in South America. Unfortunately for him, the dead rise at night to become shuffling vampire/zombies bent on eating him alive. By day, his routine involves shopping for garlic and mirrors to repel the undead and grid-searching the town block by block to exterminate them with the dependable wooden-stake method. He piles the corpses in his station wagon and takes them to the local landfill where he makes a bonfire out of them; by night, he returns home to play old records and ignore the ghoulish goons outside his door. He keeps a generator running in his house for electricity (as well as at the local grocery) as he goes half-mad from loneliness and boredom ("Another day to live through; might as well get on with it."). His situation would be improved greatly by stealing a few guns and several cases of ammo, but no matter. Eventually he finds the Last Poodle on Earth and chases the dog through the streets until the mutt turns up on his doorstep. Morgan discovers, though, that the pooch is a zombie/vampire dog, so it's stake time for man's best friend. While zombie-hunting one day, though, he runs across the Last Babe on Earth and takes her home; alas, she is infected as well, but is the vanguard of a whole community of survivors. They've been able to stave off the vampire syndrome with a crude chemical injection; Morgan killed off many of their cohorts during his campaign, and they're not too happy with him about it. Based on a story by Richard Matheson ("I Am Legend," later remade into the rather limp Omega Man with Charlton Heston), The Last Man on Earth shows its low-budget seams at times; Morgan cruises around in his '56 Chevy wagon on narrow Italian streets filled with bulbous Fiats.
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Posters
Theatrical Release: 8 March 1964 - USA
More Apocalypse-related films on Blu-ray and DVD reviewed (click review buttons to also see comparisons where applicable) from our article Films From The End of the World: |
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC vs. MGM (stand alone) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (Midnite Movies with Panic in the Year Zero) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Savoy Film (Germany) - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Shout! Factory (part of The Vincent Price Collection II) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Big thanks to Ole Kofoed for the PAL DVD Screen Caps!
Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Diamond Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
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BONUS CAPTURES: |
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Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray | Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Distribution |
Diamond Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray | Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:26:20 | 1:26:51 | 1:26:51 | 1:26:44.240 | 1:27:03.218 | 1:27:19.234 |
Video |
1.42:1 Aspect Ratio |
2.30:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
2.30:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 16,424,091,022 bytesFeature: 15,751,723,008 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 19.51 Mbps |
1080P Dual-layered (share with Tomb of Ligeia) Blu-ray Disc Size: 48,069,917,948 bytesFeature: 20,863,592,448 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 27.99 Mbps |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,007,034,804 bytesFeature: 27,348,480,000 bytesCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 37.91 Mbps |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Diamond Entertainment
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Bitrate:
MGM
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Bitrate:
MGM - Midnite Movies |
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Bitrate: Savoy (Germany)
Blu-ray |
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Bitrate: Shout! Factory
Blu-ray |
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Bitrate:
Kino
Blu-ray |
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Audio | English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono. | English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono |
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono. |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1577 kbps 2.0
/ 48 kHz / 1577 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps /
16-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio German 1571 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1571 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) |
DTS-HD Master Audio
English 2065 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2065 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 /
48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB |
DTS-HD Master Audio
English 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 /
48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -31dB |
Subtitles | None. | English, Spanish, French or None. | English, Spanish, French or None. | None | English (SDH), None | English (SDH), None |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Diamond Entertainment Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 2 |
Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date:
December 4th, 2007 Chapters 16 |
Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
• Panic in the Year Zero
on opposite side of disc
DVD
Release Date: March 22, 2005 Chapters 16 |
Release Information: Studio: Savoy Film
1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 16,424,091,022 bytesFeature: 15,751,723,008 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 19.51 Mbps
Edition Details:
Blu-ray
Release Date: July 29th, 2011 Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Shout! Factory
1080P Dual-layered (share with Tomb of Ligeia) Blu-ray Disc Size: 48,069,917,948 bytesFeature: 20,863,592,448 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 27.99 Mbps
Edition Details: • Richard Matheson Storyteller: The Last Man on Earth (6:24) • Stills Gallery
Blu-ray
Release Date:
October 21st, 2014 Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Kino
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,007,034,804 bytesFeature: 27,348,480,000 bytesCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 37.91 Mbps
Edition Details:
Blu-ray
Release Date:
August 30th, 2021 Chapters 9 |
Comments: |
The Ostalgica, Region 'B' Blu-ray with the b/w, color and longer Italian cut of The Last Man on Earth is reviewed compared HERE
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
NOTE: We have added 60 more large
resolution Blu-ray captures
(in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE
On their
Blu-ray,
Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the
original English language. The Last Man on Earth
doesn't have many aggressive moments, there are few, but is fairly passive with
barely much
dialogue (our protagonist basically alone for the majority) and some
explanatory narration, flashbacks and newspaper clippings. The score is by Paul Sawtell (Jungle
Queen, 5
Steps to Danger,
A
Game of Death, Inferno, Silver
City, The
Fly, Denver
and Rio Grande, Voyage
to the Bottom of the Sea etc.) sounding clean
while adding to the hopeless mood via the lossless transfer. Kino offer optional English
subtitles on their Region 'A'
Blu-ray.
The Kino
Blu-ray
I have a huge soft spot for The Last Man on
Earth - the pioneer precursor of Matheson's 'zombie
apocalypse' story that launched into its entire, own, genre. I
could watch this at any time - Vincent Price is great (I
can't imagine anyone else in the role). It's modest
budget gives it charm and I love the widescreen black and white. The
Kino
Blu-ray
is the one to get, imo. A big 'keeper' for me. ADDITION: Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - October 14': We have already reviewed the first Vincent Price Collection on Blu-ray. This Blu-ray release is part of The Vincent Price Collection II which includes House on Haunted Hill, The Return of the Fly, The Comedy of Terrors, The Raven, The Last Man on Earth, Tomb of Ligeia & Dr. Phibes Rises Again. This is a significant advancement in every area beyond the German Blu-ray although there is some minor banding in opening. It is cleaner, has a higher bitrate and, comparatively, looks much crisper showcasing superior contrast. It also shows a tad more information in the frame.The audio (had to be better) is more robust - also utilizing a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel but is much better with richer depth notable in the score by the partnership of Paul Sawtell (Inferno, Silver City, The Fly, Denver and Rio Grande) and Bert Shefter (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, She Devil). There are optional English subtitles on the region 'A'-locked disc.
What I enjoyed was the commentary with
film historian David Del Valle and author Derek Bortelho.
Plenty of discussion on the fim (a favorite 'apocalypse'
popcorn flic) and Shout! Factory include the same 6.5
minute Richard Matheson Storyteller: The Last Man on
Earth interview piece as found on the MGM DVDs.
There is also a Stills Gallery.
***
The most disappointing feature though is the English audio - it is lossless but there are serious sync issues that are very distracting. It's way off and almost laughable. Luckily there is little face-to-face dialogue in the film - it is a lot of narration, but I'd still consider this a major flaw. There is an untested German DUB and there are no subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide. The only extra is the long Italian trailer in 1080P. The only positive to this Blu-ray release is the price - thankfully they aren't gouging for this flawed transfer. *** NOTE: Peter Smith told us in email about the Legend colorized version available HERE "NOT THE VERSION TO BUY IF YOU ONLY WANT THE B/W MOVIE
If you're looking for
the best B/W version of this film on DVD, then either of the two MGM
DVD's, is the way to go, but if you want it in color, then the Legend
Films disc is sufficiently colorized for your viewing pleasure. *** ADDITION: November 07: Just hold on a minute! Well, we appear to have caught MGM in another quasi-swindle. The single edition of The Last Man on Earth being released Dec 3rd, 2007 is exactly the same (menus, bitrate, single-layered transfer, disc size etc.) as the March 2005 Midnite Movies edition... but minus Panic in the Year Zero. Supporting our contention it also has the 2004 VOB files. BUT, the aggravating thing here is, they are asking almost the exact same purchase price for the Midnite Movies edition (actually only $1.40 more) - yes, the one that includes a better film; Panic in the Year Zero !!! NOTE: Both have the 6 minute Richard Matheson interview. So they want us to pay essentially the same money... for less content - with absolutely no improvements. Hummmfff. Don't get hoodwinked by MGM! If you are interested in buying (and I do recommend at less than $13) then go for the Midnite Movies edition and have an apocalyptic doomsday festival night incorporating The Omega Man as well. What fun! I have one thing to say to MGM - 'Not on my watch pal'.
On the MGM vs. the Diamond:
I'm sure we don't have to say too much
here. The MGM is infinitely superior in every area. It really looks
like a decent DVD - sharp and clean - correct ratio, nice grays -
optional subtitles - all good. It is bundled with
Panic in the Year Zero reviewed
HERE.
There
is 30 seconds difference in the running times, 10 seconds is 2XMGM
logo's, we haven't looked for the missing 20 seconds on the Diamond
release but they appear in the last 20 minutes of the movie. |
DVD
Menus
(Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 -
NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM (editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
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Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle Sample
1) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) MGM (the 2 MGM editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) MGM (the 2 MGM editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) MGM (the 2 MGM editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) MGM (the 2 MGM editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) MGM (the 2 MGM editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Diamond Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) MGM (the 2 MGM editions have duplicate transfers) - Region 1 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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Damage still prevalent
(CLICK to ENLARGE)
More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE
Report Card:
Image: |
Kino Blu-ray |
Sound: |
Shout! Factory Blu-ray |
Extras: | Kino Blu-ray |
Box Covers |
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BONUS CAPTURES: |
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Distribution |
Diamond Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
Savoy Film - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray | Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
More Apocalypse-related films on Blu-ray and DVD reviewed (click review buttons to also see comparisons where applicable) from our article Films From The End of the World: |