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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Philip D'Antoni
USA 1973

This fast-paced thriller from the producer of Bullitt and The French Connection stars Roy Scheider (Jaws, Last Embrace) as tough New York City cop Buddy Manucci. Manucci leads 'The Seven-Ups', an elite squad of undercover detectives known for their ruthlessly efficient tactics and their record of putting away criminals for a minimum of seven years. But when the group's integrity is called into question after being linked with a mob-related kidnapping, it is up to Manucci to hunt the real culprits and restore the reputation of his squad.

***

This was the only directorial effort of Philip D'Antoni, producer of the action classic Bullitt (1968). Roy Scheider stars as Buddy Manucci, a New York City Police Department investigator running a task force charged with taking down criminals guilty of offenses that would get them a minimum sentence of seven years in prison upon conviction. Manucci's best street informant is Vito Lucia (Tony Lo Bianco), who double-crosses Manucci by using the lawman's secret list of Mob loan sharks to kidnap the crooks on the list and hold them for ransom. When the scheme results in the death of Ansel (Ken Kercheval), one of Manucci's men, the tough cop and his team, including Barilli (Victor Arnold) and Mingo (Jerry Leon), wage war on the city's underworld. As they bend the law in whatever violent shape they see fit in order to track Lucia down, grisly deaths and a heart-stopping highway car chase along the Hudson River ensue.

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 14th, 1973

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Comparison:

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

 

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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Cover

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Classic Crime Collection - Street Justice DVD set includes Murder Inc., The French Connection, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, The Seven-Ups
Distribution 20th Century Fox Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Koch Media
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Signal One
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:43:12  1:43:17.232   1:43:27.743  1:43:18.233  1:43:23.280 
Video 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.9 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.85:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,543,217,073 bytes

Feature: 23,458,271,232 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,661,782,952 bytes

Feature: 30,310,687,104 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.74 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 49,173,384,308 bytes

Feature: 30,963,388,416 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,905,968,221 bytes

Feature: 25,656,637,440 bytes

Video Bitrate: 27.30 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate:

Bitrate: Koch Media Blu-ray:

Bitrate: Signal One Blu-ray:

Bitrate: Twilight Time Blu-ray:

Bitrate: Wild Side Blu-ray:

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Mono),. DUBs: French (Mono), Spanish (mono) 

DUB:

DTS-HD Master Audio German 863 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 863 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 858 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 858 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)

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

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1817 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1817 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Isolated Scores:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1820 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1820 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1771 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1771 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1864 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1864 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1867 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1867 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

DUB:

DTS-HD Master Audio French 1989 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1989 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
 

Subtitles English, Spanish, None English, None English (SDH), None English (SDH), None French, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1

Edition Details:

• Behind the Scenes Featurette: Anatomy of a Chase (7:50)
• Theatrical Teaser and Theatrical Trailer 

NOTE: a 1.33 pan and scan version is on the opposite side of the DVD

DVD Release Date: May 23rd, 2006

Keep Case (even in Crime Collection Boxset)
Chapters: 20

Release Information:
Studio:
Koch Media

Aspect Ratio: 

1.85:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 24,543,217,073 bytes

Feature: 23,458,271,232 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Making of (7:57)
• German Trailer (1:55)

• Original Theatrical Trailer (2:12)

• Gallery
 

Blu-ray Release Date: June 12th, 2012
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio:
Signal One

Aspect Ratio: 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,661,782,952 bytes

Feature: 30,310,687,104 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.74 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Audio commentary with writer and film expert Richard Harland Smith
• Philip D'Antoni Introduction (2016 - 0:10)
• The Seven-Ups Connection (2016 - 21:32): new interview with director Philip D'Antoni
• A Tony Lo Bianco Type (2016 - 18:09): new interview with actor Tony Lo Bianco
• Real to Reel (2016 - 24:50): new interview with technical adviser Randy Jurgensen
• Cut to the Chase (2016 - 13:53): new documentary on the film's iconic car chase
• The Anatomy of a Chase (1973 - 8:20): vintage behind-the-scenes documentary
• Super 8 version (1973 - 16:44): original cut-down home cinema presentation
• Randy Jurgensen's Scrapbook (2:58)
• Lobby cards and stills gallery (2:10)
• Original theatrical teaser (1:09)
• Original theatrical trailer (2:18)
 

Blu-ray Release Date: June 27th, 2016
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters: 12

Release Information:
Studio:
Twilight Time

Aspect Ratio: 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 49,173,384,308 bytes

Feature: 30,963,388,416 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Audio Commentary with Film Historian Richard Harland Smith
• Isolated Music Track of the Don Ellis Film Score
• Isolated Music Track of the Unused Johnny Mandel Score
• Introduction by Director-Producer Philip D’Antoni (0:11)
• The Seven-Ups Connection (21:32)
• A Tony Lo Bianco Type (18:07)
• Real to Reel (24:48)
• Cut to the Chase (13:51)
• Anatomy of a Chase: Behind the Scenes of the Filming of The Seven-Ups (8:19)
• Randy Jurgensen’s Scrapbook (2:58)
• Super 8 Version (16:19)
• Lobby Cards, Stills and Media Gallery (2:10)
• Original Theatrical Trailers (2:18)

• Teaser (1:11)

Liner Notes
Limited Edition of 3,000 Units
 

Blu-ray Release Date: March, 2018
Transparent Blu-ray case

Chapters: 24

Release Information:
Studio:
Twilight Time

Aspect Ratio: 

1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,905,968,221 bytes

Feature: 25,656,637,440 bytes

Video Bitrate: 27.30 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• The Seven-Ups Connection - interview with Philip D'Antoni (21:33)
• Tony Lo Biano (18:08)
• Real to Reel (24:50)
• Cut to the Chase (13:52)
• Anatomy of a Chase: Behind the Scenes of the Filming of The Seven-Ups (8:19)
• Unite de Choch - Faith Beddiar (39:38)
• Trailer (3:28)
 

Blu-ray Release Date: September 26th, 2018
Custom
Blu-ray case (see below)

Chapters: 13

 

Package - Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Wild Side - Region 'B' Blu-rays October 2018': Wild Side's Blu-ray of "The Seven Ups" comes in a beautiful package with a 184-page glossy booklet with highly interesting behind-the-scenes, script, and promo photos. The main body of text is in the French language, but this is remains an impressive package. The image here is probably closest to the Twilight Time release in terms of colors, although somewhat less-harsh in terms of saturation. The framing and lack of a stretched image are very similar to the Twilight Time. Where this disc differs is in contrast, the Wild Side Blu-ray is superior to the Twilight sporting a slightly brighter image with some softness. The 1.85:1 image has a supportive bitrate and looks even better in motion. There no English subtitles but thankfully the French subtitles are optional and not hardcoded to the image. The audio is available in either French or English in 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio. This is a Region B Blu-ray. Previously released extras from the Signal One and Twilight Time releases are present here, in English (with French subtitles). There is also a extra (Unite de Choch - Faith Beddiar) but this in French (w/o English subtitles).

Colin Zavitz

***

ADDITION: Twilight Time - Region FREE Blu-rays March 2018': Wow - quite a difference. The new Twilight Time, although also in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, definitely shows the European versions to be horizontally stretched (as initially noted in our 2016 review below) and maybe the US version to be slight vertically stretched. The frame shifts slightly to the left (gains info on left loses on right) but also loses a lot of information in the bottom of the frame. Very odd. Colors are different too - with much warmer skins tones, very dark and thick - looks low-res, poor contrast!, but also a heavy green-blue-teal cast. It's dual-layered with a high bitrate but this has more to do with the US source vs. the European source. I prefer the detail on the Signal One but the ratio squishing is wildly apparent. As we always state: "it's nice to have options". I, personally, prefer the Signal One.

Twilight Time use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono for the audio transfer. It's 24-bit and may be a shade deeper than the Signal One but the differences are marginal. Both include optional English (SDH) subtitles. Twilight Time add both the option of access isolated score for the Don Ellis and, unused, Johnny Mandel scores (see paragraph below).

"Another French Connection alumnus returning here was late jazz composer Don Ellis, whose work on that film earned him a Grammy. However, he wasn't the initial choice; the original score was written by Johnny Mandel, who had scored hits with his soundtracks to films like M*A*S*H (1970) and The Sandpiper (1965). However, his work was rejected and Ellis was brought in to write a replacement score." (h/t TCM).

Aside from the exact same 'exclusive' audio commentary by Richard Harland Smith and supplements - introduction by Director-Producer Philip D’Antoni, 5 production featurettes, scrapbook, Super 8 Version, Lobby Cards, Stills and Media Gallery, original teaser and trailers - the Twilight adds the aforementioned isolated scores and liner notes. The Twilight Time is limited to 3,000 units.

We love it when there are differences and with the HD images - this is a substantial variance. It should be appreciated that the commentary/extras are essentially duplicated. Remains a wonderfully tense and gritty cop-thrillers of the 70's - pairing with Bullitt or The French Connection . Consumers have the choice of BDs that appeal to them the most.  

***

ADDITION: Signal One - Region 'B' Blu-rays June 2016': Obviously the Signal One is the package to get - dual-layered with the much higher (max'ed out) bitrate than the German BD. This shows up in richer, darker visuals, slightly warmer skin tones and superior texture and grain support. The Koch may also be stretched horizontally a bit. Either way - it looks superior.

Signal One go with a linear PCM in the original mono - in 24-bit (to the German DTS-HD master 16-bit) it also deserves the nod as the best. Both Blu-rays offer optional English subtitles (SDH on the UK.)

Supplements also go the way of the Signal One Blu-ray with Criterion-level extras including an excellent new commentary by writer and film expert Richard Harland Smith and over 1 1/4 hour's worth of new interviews with director Philip D'Antoni, actor Tony Lo Bianco, technical adviser Randy Jurgensen, a brief introduction and a new documentary on the film's iconic car chase. Wow! These also include the vintage making of..., the, 17-minute, Super 8 version cut down to one reel so home viewers could enjoy a 'digest' version of the film, trailers, lobby cards etc..

So Signal One impress with the strongest release of The Seven-Ups on Blu-ray. Amazing job of a gritty 70's crime film - bravo Signal One - keep'em coming!

***

ON THE DVD (May 2006): Considering this is only a single layered DVD (meaning both ratio formats could have been put on the same side), the DVD image looks quite good. There is a bit of digital noise but overall the appearance is quite strong with no prevalent damage and acceptable sharpness and contrast. Both mono and stereo audio formats are clean and consistent. I'm a bit surprised that Fox is still offering the 1.33 version on the opposite side of the DVD these days and luckily I looked to see some unique Special Features depending on the side. All kind of strange DVD authorship if you ask me. The featurette, on the widescreen side, has very poor video quality and at less than 8 minutes doesn't offer too much.

Perhaps one of the lesser films of the boxset its a fine choice for addition. Roy Scheider does a good job and it is filled with 70's nostalgia. 

Gary W. Tooze

 


DVD Menus


Special Features give different options from one side (Widescreen) to the opposite side (pan and scan)

 

Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 


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

 

Subtitle Sample

 

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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Screen Captures

 

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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


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

2) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

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

4) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

More Blu-ray Captures

 

1) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Koch Media - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

Box Cover

 

  

 

The Classic Crime Collection - Street Justice DVD set includes Murder Inc., The French Connection, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre, The Seven-Ups
Distribution 20th Century Fox Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Koch Media
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Signal One
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray Wild Side - Region 'B' - Blu-ray




 

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