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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'End of the World')

directed by Ray Milland
USA 1962

 Panic in Year Zero is quite compelling - a nuclear attack leaves Los Angeles in chaos and ignites survival fear and hording throughout the city and suburbs. Trying to escape the disaster, a family is luckily heading for their usual vacation spot only to encounter moral and ethical decisions of their own enroute. Exhaustive star Ray Milland both directs and stars in a fairly low budget 'cold-war-panic' film that poses some heavy questions. It's hard not to get caught up in the ensuing battle for existence, envisioning yourself in the family's shoes. One heck of a fun night at the films... bring the popcorn! out of

Posters

Theatrical Release: July 5th, 1962

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                                                                      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 Covers

  

  

  

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino Lorber
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray
Runtime 1:32:09  1:32:06.604  
Video 2.32:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.74 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,639,941,607 bytes

Feature: 20,494,030,848 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 26.21 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)  DTS-HD Master Audio English 1582 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1582 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps
Subtitles English, French, Spanish, None None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
 2.32:1

Edition Details:

• trailer (2:23)

DVD Release Date: March 22nd, 2005

Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio: Kino Lorber

 

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,639,941,607 bytes

Feature: 20,494,030,848 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 26.21 Mbps


Edition Details:
• 
Audio Commentary by Film Historian Richard Harland Smith

• Intro by legendary director Joe Dante (9:10)

• Trailers (Panic in the Year Zero - 2:24, X-Ray, the Man With the X-Ray Eyes - 2:19, Premature Burial - 2:31)
 

Standard Blu-ray case

Blu-ray Release Date: April 19th, 2016

Chapters: 8

 

 

 

Comments:

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

 

ADDITION: Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray March 16': This new 1080P image is quite a step-up from the old SD. We lose a sliver of information on the top and side edges but the improved contrast and detail is remarkable. Either the DVD is vertically stretched or the Blu-ray has some Cinemascope mumps (or a little of both) but the Blu-ray looked great in-motion with plenty of depth. It has a touch of appealing gloss, as well, and it's very clean and crisp by comparison to the interlaced DVD.

 

Kino Lorber use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 1582 kbps (16-bit) in the original English language. Strangely, there are very few effects in the film - but the animated score is by AIP go-to guy Les Baxter (X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes, US version of Baron Blood, The Beast Within etc.) and sounds jazzy and tight via the lossless - quite the groovy theme song! There are no subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

 

Kino add some keen extras - notably another enjoyable audio commentary by film historian Richard Harland Smith who points out some interesting research that enhances the viewing. There is also a 10-minute introduction by director Joe Dante giving further background and his personal enjoyment of the film. We also get trailers for some Milland/Kino Blus; Panic in Year Zero, X-Ray, the Man With the X-Ray Eyes and Premature Burial.

 

I always love a good (or bad) apocalypse film and despite the flaws this captures a time and it's one of those movies I always seem to reach for - if I'm in that mood. Great tow own in HD and the commentary adds immense value and we certainly give this a recommendation.

 

***

ON THE DVD (2005): Well, there are two schools of thought - transfer great films to DVD properly, add competent extra features and sell for a healthy price OR slap it onto to DVD - tabled with another minor film of similar genre and charge peanuts. MGM have opted for choice #2 for their Midnite Madness series.

Yes, like the second feature The Last Man on Earth, this is not progressive (see last capture), and no extras for 'Panic..." to speak of, but for enjoyment ratio over $'s - you really can't beat this and we love the anamorphic widescreen although the image has some softness. We still endorse for fans.

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 Screen Captures (on DVD only)

 

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC

 


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

 

DVD has Combing evident

 

More Blu-ray captures

Box Covers

  

  

   

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino Lorber
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:





 

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