Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video (both):

Audio:

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

• 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:

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:

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!     

Gary Tooze

November 2nd, 2016

September 18th, 2017

 

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