Happy Ever After Blu-ray

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

(aka "Tonight's the Night")

Directed by Mario Zampi
UK 1954

Cinema icon David Niven is on top form as the improbably-named Jasper O'Leary in this uproarious culture clash comedy from director Mario Zampi. Also featured are Hollywood star Yvonne de Carlo, professional Irishman Barry Fitzgerald and George Cole as a gormless yokel.

When General O'Leary goes to meet his maker after an unfortunate hunting mishap his Irish estate is bequeathed to a distant relative, Jasper. Jasper's new-broom tactics soon annoy the locals, however, and it's not too long before they decide he has to be "removed"...

***

An Irish village grieves at the death of prominent landowner General O'Leary. Despite the general's affection for the villagers, his staff and close relatives, he bequeaths his entire estate to his great-nephew, Jasper O'Leary (David Niven), who immediately rouses the suspicion of locals. Jasper's only ally is a shrewd widow named Serena McGluskey (Yvonne De Carlo), who has her own plans to seize the O'Leary estate. But the clever villagers soon hatch a plan to drive out the unsavory outsiders.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: June 25th, 1954

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Review: Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:28:38.333
Video	1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 37,490,641,177 bytes 1.66:1 Feature: 18,692,155,392 bytes 1.37:1 Feature: 18,696,892,416 bytes Video Bitrate: 24.97 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bits
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Network 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 37,490,641,177 bytes 1.66:1 Feature: 18,692,155,392 bytes 1.33:1 Feature: 18,696,892,416 bytes Video Bitrate: 24.97 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Stills Gallery Press Sheet and Script PDFs Blu-ray Release Date: November 18th, 2019 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Network Blu-ray (December 2019): Network have transferred the light comedy, set in Ireland, Happy Ever After (aka "Tonight's the Night") to Blu-ray. Filmed in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio, Happy Ever After was framed for 1.66:1 for those few theatres at the time of release that could exhibit widescreen features. Both versions are included on this Blu-ray edition. While both have the same file size and bitrate, the 1.37:1 ratio looks superior - (all except the title sequences) with the former appearing more processed (or is it just a perception?). The 1.66:1 widescreen is simply cropped from the 1.37. There are speckles and damage marks (see last two captures) with color flecks but they weren't overly intrusive on my HD presentation. Technicolor reds and greens show impressive depth and the image overall is pleasing and a full stride ahead of SD.

On their Blu-ray, Network use a linear PCM mono track (16-bit) in the original English language with plenty of Irish accents. There are few aggressive effects but a pleasing score by Stanley Black (Valentino, The Day the Earth Caught Fire, War-Gods of the Deep, 1960's Hammer film Stop Me Before I Kill! etc.) sounding solid and light - befitting the film. Network offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Network Blu-ray has only a stills gallery and a 'Press Sheet' and 'Script' PDFs in the root of the disc, as extras.

Relaxed, humorous film set in a beautiful countryside locations - I was keen to see fellow Canuck Yvonne De Carlo and was impressed with the support players. Niven plays the stuffed shirt scoundrel excellently. Happy Ever After has some positives and should make for a happy night in the home theatre for fans of the era - and a huge step away from our confused modern world.