Warner Home Video

Region 0 - NTSC

1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.3 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.19 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

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

Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection)

Network

Dolby Digital Mono (English)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1

Edition Details:
� None

DVD Release Date: June 17th, 2014
Keep case

Chapters 22
 

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1

Edition Details:
� Alternative titles (mute)
� Original Theatrical Trailers
� Image Gallery
� Original Synopsis PDF

 

Chapters 12

UPDATE: The Warner Archive's made-on-demand disc presents the American theatrical version of this fine British noir. The UK disc from Network features a longer British cut - I did not do scene by scene comparison as I done for The Accursed / The Traitor, but I noticed a few extended scenes on the Network disc that run shorter in American version. The Network print, sourced by StudioCanal, has less damage and better greyscale. The framing is slightly different, with more information on top and bottom of the frame. The English mono sound is similar, but note that the region 2 disc has the usual PAL speed-up. Neither disc includes English captions or subtitles, but Network release wins points for including the extras - alternative title sequence (with no sound), theatrical trailers, image gallery and a PDF file. Network release gets our recommendation compared to the stateside disc from Warner Archive.

The Counterfeit Plan is a British crime drama starring Zachary Scott as a criminal mastermind Max Brant blackmailing former forger played wonderfully by Mervyn Johns (Dead of Night), to get back into criminal business with him. Engraver's daughter (beautiful Peggie Castle (99 River Street) arrives to the house and tried to persuade her father to stay away from the sleazy Mr. Brant.

The film makes its home video debut on a made-on-demand disc from Warner Archive. The single-layered platter presents the enhanced transfer in its original theatrical aspec ratio of 1.66:1. The image looks murky, with some damage. Contrast balance is good for well-lit scenes, but the detail disappears with darker scenes. The mono audio is fine, with no distortions or damage. There are no subtitles, per usual and no extras. A very interesting Brit-noir that keeps thing moving in a brisk 80-miniute running time and the release from Warner Archive gets our moderate recommendation.

 - Gregory Meshman