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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "A Sete Milhas do Inferno" )

 

directed by Edward Dmytryk
USA 1942

They may have busted out of prison, but the World War II battle for freedom has just begun for Alcatraz convicts Champ Larkin (James Craig) and his pal Jimbo (Frank Jenks). Eluding the Rock’s patrol boats, the fugitives capture a lighthouse, taking the denizens prisoner while plotting their mainland escape. But among the captives – a veteran skipper (George Cleveland), his flinty daughter (Bonita Granville), a chatty assistant (Cliff Edwards) and a wily radio operator (Erford Gage) – is a Nazi spy who’s key to a German plot to attack San Francisco. A nimble blend of propaganda and espionage, Seven Miles from Alcatraz is an efficient thriller about two out-for-themselves fugitives who become fighters for democracy. For his first RKO film, director Edward Dmytryk (Murder, My Sweet; Crossfire) keeps the suspense crisp and the action crisper, particularly during one furious fight to the death while ascending the lighthouse’s three levels. Dmytryk’s next movie – Hitler’s Children, reteaming him with Granville, Gage and the Nazi whip – would make a more powerful impact.

***

For his first directorial assignment at RKO Radio, Edward Dmytryk was handed the mile-a-minute topical meller Seven Miles From Alcatraz. James Craig and Frank Jenks star as cynical Alcatraz inmates Champ and Jimbo, who manage to escape from the "rock" and then take refuge in the lighthouse maintained by Captain Porter (George Cleveland) and his pretty daughter Anne (Bonita Granville). Though concerned only about their own plight at first, Champ and Jimbo alter their getaway plans to foil a nest of Nazi spies who are using the lighthouse as their rendezvous. As Jimbo explains it, "We may be rats, but we're American rats!", which may be why he and Champ are granted a happier denoument than most Alcatraz escapees. Among the Nazis is a slim and youthful John Banner, two decades removed from his duties as cuddly Sergeant Schultz in TV's Hogan's Heroes.

Posters

Television Premiere: November 18th, 1942

 

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DVD Review: Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC

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Distribution

Warner Home Video

Region 0 - NTSC

Runtime 1:01:56
Video

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.95 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

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

Bitrate

Audio Dolby Digital 1.0 (English)
Subtitles None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Warner Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• None

DVD Release Date: May 24th, 2016
Keep Case

Chapters 10

 

 

 

Comments

Seven Miles From Alcatraz is a a curious, and obvious, flag-waver with great atmosphere and some keen action/thrills. I was keen on it as has great director Edward Dmytryk (Murder, My Sweet, The Sniper, The Caine Mutiny, Warlock) and stars Bonita Granville (The Glass Key, Suspense, Syncopation and the silver screen's original Nancy Drew and the future producer of TV's Lassie) - some may recognize James Craig (While the City Sleeps, A Lady Without Passport, The Devil and Daniel Webster).

It's standard single-layered MoD (Made-on-Demand) disc but progressive in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and looks very good. This is labeled under the Warner's "Archive Collection" marquee and the image is very impressive but flat with no significant damage. Black levels are reasonable and you get the textures impression. Decent enough for SD. 

The mono sound is decent supporting the score and there are no subtitles offered. No supplements at all.

Seven Miles From Alcatraz is fairly complex with a simple premise. The character's even have layers expending beyond one dimension. It's short but there is a food pace and if you are keen on something fairly mainstream from the era - this will be a great 'B' picture start to a movie night. 

  - Gary Tooze

 



 

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DVD Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

  

Distribution

Warner Home Video

Region 0 - NTSC

 




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