The Chase Blu-ray - Marlon Brando

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

The Chase [Blu-ray]

(Arthur Penn, 1966)

Coming to Blu-ray in the US in March 2026:

The standard (no book) Blu-ray edition is coming in May 2020:

or directly from:

Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Theatrical: Columbia Pictures Corporation

Video: Twilight Time / Indicator (Powerhouse)

Disc:

Region: FREE (both) (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 2:13:48.061 / 2:13:50.022

Disc Size: 39,070,601,087 bytes / 49,539,189,234 bytes

Feature Size: 38,152,667,136 bytes / 41,744,414,400 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.98 Mbps / 34.81 Mbps

Chapters: 24 / 14

Case: Transparent Blu-ray case (both)

Release date: October, 2016 / September 25th, 2017

Video (both):

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1823 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1823 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1766 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1766 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Isolated Score:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2047 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2047 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-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
Isolated Score:

LPCM Audio Undetermined 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit

Subtitles (both):

• English (SDH), None

Extras:

• Audio Commentary with Film Historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman
• Isolated Score Track
• Original Theatrical Trailer (3:26)

• Liner notes by Julie Kirgo

Limited to 3,000 Copies!

• Audio commentary with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman
• Arthur Penn on ‘The Chase’ (1996, 26:08): previously unseen footage from Paul Joyce’s documentary Marlon Brando: The Wild One
• Matthew Penn on ‘The Chase’ (2017): a new interview with director Arthur Penn’s son (9:03)
• James Fox on ‘The Chase’ (2017): the renowned actor interviewed by Richard Ayoade (24:03)
• Super 8 version: original cut-down home cinema presentation (20:01)
• Isolated Score: experience John Barry’s original soundtrack music
• Original theatrical trailer (3:26)
• Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Christina Newland, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and historic articles on the film
• UK premiere on Blu-ray
• Limited Dual Format Edition of 3,000 copies

Bitrate:

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

Description: When "Bubber" Reeves (Robert Redford) escapes from prison, it upsets the folks in the nearby town of Tarl, Texas. Sheriff Calder (Marlon Brando) wants to capture Reeves alive, which puts him in opposition to many of the townspeople who have resorted to mob justice. Businessman Val Rogers (E.G. Marshall) wants Calder to apprehend Reeves quickly, through any means, since he fears the criminal will come after Val's son, Jake, who is sleeping with Reeves' wife (Jane Fonda).

The Film:

Sometimes when you bring together a talented group of actors, a critically acclaimed director, a successful producer and the most experienced film crew professionals in Hollywood you get a masterpiece or a box-office hit. Most of the time, however, with so much creative talent involved, egos, artistic compromises and internal power struggles undermine what could have been an important and highly influential motion picture. This was certainly the case with Sam Spiegel's ambitious production of The Chase (1966), based on the novel and play by Horton Foote.

Excerpt from TCM located HERE

The Chase consequently boasts a formidable pedigree on all fronts. It was adapted–in theory at least–by Lillian Hellman from Horton Foote's novel and play though it was reportedly taken out of Hellman's hands early and rewritten extensively. The legendary Sam Spiegel produced and Penn had already developed an impressive reputation thanks to his television work and films like The Miracle Worker. Then there's the cast: Marlon Brando, Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Robert Duvall, James Fox, Angie Dickinson, E.G Marshall and even a young Paul Williams, who looks disconcertingly like a lesbian midget in one of his earliest roles. With all that going for it how could The Chase possibly fail? Then again with the sky-high expectations that come with that level of talent how could The Chase possibly succeed?

Excerpt from TheOnionAV located HERE

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

The Chase comes to Twilight Time Blu-ray in a dual-layered, 1080P transfer with their usual high bitrate. The visuals are strong in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Contrast has some decent layering and colors look true and fairly tight without unnatural brightness. It looks quite consistent in-motion, has plenty of depth and no untoward damage or speckles. I see no evidence of manipulation or noise. This Blu-ray gives an enjoyable presentation for this enigmatic film.

Another 4K restoration from the original negative and, although the Indicator has a slight technical edge (max'ed out bitrate) - I can detect almost no video difference between the two releases.

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

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Twilight Time - Region FREE- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

Audio :

Twilight Time use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 1823 kbps (24-bit) in the original English language. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE disc.

Linear PCM mono track (24-bit) and it doe sound good - flat but it has some buoyancy. There are no notable effects - mostly cars, dogs, oil rig etc. in the film - but the score by the iconic John Barry (Midnight Cowboy, Dances With Wolves and the Bond themes among his many credits) helps maintain tension and highlight inter-personal conflict. There is also an isolated score option in LPCM. The Indicator also has optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray disc.

Extras :

Twilight Time add a new audio commentary with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman and it fills in some of the 'unknowns' of the production and its hurdles, Penn's dissatisfaction with the film especially the editing - citing critic Robin Wood, the misnomer title and more. There is also an isolated score track and an original theatrical trailer plus there are liner notes by Julie Kirgo. It is limited to 3,000 copies.

Same Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman commentary but a lot more with a 26-minute 1996 Arthur Penn on ‘The Chase’ piece with previously unseen footage from Paul Joyce’s documentary Marlon Brando: The Wild One, plus a new 9-minute interview with director Arthur Penn’s son, Matthew Penn on ‘The Chase’ and also new; James Fox on ‘The Chase’ has 24-minutes of the actor interviewed by Richard Ayoade. Included is the Super 8 version: original cut-down home cinema presentation running 20-minutes, an original theatrical trailer, and an image gallery of on-set and promotional photography. The package itself come with a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Christina Newland, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and historic articles on the film plus a second disc DVD. It is limited to 3,000 copies.

Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray

BOTTOM LINE:
The Chase is an unusual film - still being debated as a wayward masterpiece for its unorthodox styling, undercurrents of homosexuality and general dream-like expression. I think it's worth seeing a few times. Odd but still intriguing. The Twilight Time Blu-ray provides a very good a/v transfer for the film and further value with the commentary, isolated score (John Barry!) and liner notes. I think The Chase needed to come to 1080P and the package offers a lot of value. Certainly recommended!

The extras seal it for Indicator Blu-ray being the definitive edition. The Chase remains such a psychologically deep, challenging and bold film for its time. I'm more impressed each time is see it and the commentary is a big part of my appreciation. If you don't own the Twilight Time this is very strongly recommended!