Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze" )

directed by Michael Anderson
USA 1975

Based on the first of Kenneth Robeson’s 181 adventure-packed Doc Savage books, Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze hits the screen with all its gee-whiz, gung-ho spirit intact. And its bold protagonist, who along with having a herculean body is also a surgeon, linguist and inventor, remains determined to do right to all and wrong to no one. Ron Ely (TV’s Tarzan) plays the strapping Savage in this high-camp, big-heroics tale of his trek into the Valley of the Vanished to confront the power-hungry Captain Seas (Paul Wexler). And behind the camera are pros who know how to get the most out of this entertainment bronze mine: veteran fantasy film producer George Pal (The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine) and director Michael Anderson (Around the World in 80 Days, Logan’s Run).

Posters and Book cover

Theatrical Release: June 1975

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Warner Archive - Region FREE - Blu-ray

1) Warner (Warner Archive Collection) Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Warner Archive - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Covers

Distribution	Warner Home Video Region 0 - NTSC	Warner Archive Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:40:15	1:40:17.469
Video	1.75:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.15 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 Disc Size: 31,698,882,439 bytes Feature Size: 29,388,374,016 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.98 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate
Bitrate Blu-ray
Audio	Dolby Digital 1.0 (English)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 2069 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2069 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	None	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect Ratio: 1.75:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer (:59) DVD Release Date: March 23rd, 2009 Keep Case Chapters 11	Release Information: Studio: Warner 1.78:1 Disc Size: 31,698,882,439 bytes Feature Size: 29,388,374,016 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.98 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer (3:01) Blu-ray Release Date: November 1st, 2016 Standard Blu-ray case Chapters: 22

Comments

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

ADDITION: Warner Archive - Region FREE - Blu-ray December 16': Colors are significantly bolstered on the new 1080P. It's a dual-layered transfer with a max'ed out bitrate. Flesh tones warm and detail rises. It really makes the SD look flat and dull by comparison, but the 1.78:1 HD image really shows less information almost exclusively on the bottom edge of the frame while gaining on the sides (notably the right edge.) Strange. Overall the visuals look pretty strong, and don't make the cheesy, dated, effects any more transparent than you might anticipate.

Warner go lossless with the audio - a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit). Frank De Vol's (The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dirty Dozen, Kiss Me Deadly, The Big Knife (1955), What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, McLintock) military-esque score is able to advance the film's lighter tones. Effects carry some pleasing depth. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region FREE.

No extras except a trailer. Still a fun, young boy's adventure although it is a bit dated with the limitations in effects and art direction etc. I'd love to see this resurrected for modern audiences. Such a cool group of eccentric characters. The Blu-ray provides a good presentation!

***

ON THE DVD: Ol' Doc Savage - I read a mitt-full of those books growing up. Perfect pulpy, young boys adventure novels. Now the movie -ahhhyyh - illogically, I think it would have been better if a whole series of films had been made. The Man of Bronze had an abundance of campy coolness. I'm kind of reminded of Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (based on the Destroyer series of novels) where more films would have unified the appealing clandestine components and allowed some further character development. As it stands Doc Savage offers perfect fodder for a cult film following - a juvenile adventure with eccentric and amusing characters - lots of fun.

It's standard single-layered and unfortunately, being one of the first 100 Warner Archive titles, is interlaced. I haven't come across one from the WB Archive made in the past year that hasn't been progressive. This still looks okay but dull. It measures in at about 1.75:1 16X9 enhanced with acceptable detail but I question the colors. It looks more like video than film but gave me a decent, but far from exemplary, presentation.

The mono sound is decent but unremarkable with no depth and there are no subtitles offered. The only supplement is the film's 3 minute-long trailer.

As I say, this deserved a sequel or 2. It can only touch upon the lore of the characters - but for those with some 'young lad' still in them it makes for some nostalgic and charming fun.

- Gary Tooze

DVD Menus

Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray

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Subtitle Sample - Warner Archive - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Screen Captures

1) Warner (Warner Archive Collection) Region 0 - NTSC - TOP