Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Columbia Pictures Corporation

Video: Twilight Time

 

Disc:

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

Runtime: 1:19:45.363 

Disc Size: 20,964,876,691 bytes

Feature Size: 20,919,853,056 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.99 Mbps

Chapters: 24

Case: Transparent Blu-ray case

Release date: February, 2017

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1922 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1922 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1704 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1704 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Isolated Score:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2046 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2046 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

 

Subtitles:

• English (SDH), None

 

Extras:

• Audio Commentary with Film Historians C. Courtney Joyner and Nick Redman
• Isolated Score Track
• Liner notes by Julie Kirgo

Limited to 3,000 Copies!

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: Thrillingly shot in Cinemascope in and around the Grand Canyon, director Don Siegel’s actioner Edge of Eternity (1959) stars Cornel Wilde as a hard-jawed deputy with a past, suddenly dealing with a plague of murders. There’s mystery, there’s romance (Victoria Shaw is the tough, attractive woman with whom Wilde teams), and above all there are thrills, including a climax shot by legendary cinematographer Burnett Guffey to rival any cliffhanger ever put on screen. Daniele Amfitheatrof’s score – available on this Twilight Time release as an isolated track – provides heightened suspense.

 

 

The Film:

Widowed Les Martin (Cornel Wilde) is an ex-detective haunted by a case he left behind in Denver. Now, Martin is the deputy sheriff of a small Arizona town with nothing to do but pull over beautiful local socialite Janice Kendon (Victoria Shaw) for occasional speeding -- until a mysterious murder at a nearby ghost town requires him to put his old skills to use once again. With the help of Sheriff Edwards (Edgar Buchanan) and Kendon, Martin must unravel a murderous plot involving stolen gold.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

Although Siegel has expressed his dislike of CinemaScope, exploiting the magnificent scenery of the Grand Canyon gave him ample reason to use the widescreen process for the first time. In the event, the aerial footage and a hair-raising climactic set-to on a dangling cable car are the movie's strongest suit, since the routine material cast Wilde as the unassuming local sheriff with a troubled past, investigating the murder of a 'John Doe' in the canyon while romancing mine-owner's daughter Shaw. If Wilde's performance seems particularly stolid, it's worth noting that he was recovering from a painful detached retina. Overall, efficient rather than inspired, though if you've ever wondered about the commercial uses of bat guano, your answer's here.

Excerpt from TimeOut located HERE

 

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

Edge of Eternity comes to Twilight Time Blu-ray in a single-layered, 1080P transfer with a supportive bitrate. The Grand Canyon scenery and the film's exuberant colors are the big star of the visuals. The presentation is bright and impressive with some pleasing texture notable. It looks quite consistent in-motion with no damage or speckles.  I see no evidence of manipulation or noise and there is plenty of depth. This Blu-ray gives a superb presentation in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio - possibly as good as it will get for this film.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

The DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 1922 kbps (24-bit) sounds clean with a few richer moments in pushing the film's occasional aggressive effects with some depth. The score by Daniele Amfitheatrof (The Lost Moment, The Desperate Hours, Human Desire, Letter From An Unknown Woman) sounds tight, flat but adds significantly to the atmosphere and evolving story. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles (sample above) and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE.

 

 

Extras :

Twilight Time add another good audio commentary with film historians C. Courtney Joyner and Nick Redman who make many interesting points on the Siegel, the performers; Cornel Wilde, Victoria Shaw, Mickey Shaughnessy, Jack Elam and how the film compares to Violent Saturday (1955). There is an isolated score track optional and the package has liner notes by Julie Kirgo. It is limited to 3,000 copies.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Edge of Eternity doesn't really fulfill all its promise in terms of being a thriller. But there is plenty to like about it including Siegel's adept storytelling, the characters, the advancing Gold-related mystery and the small-town, and Grand Canyon setting.  The Twilight Time Blu-ray provides a surprisingly strong transfer for the film and further value with the commentary, isolated score and liner notes. It's a great package of a stunning looking and watchable film - no masterpiece, but entertaining - certainly recommended! 

Gary Tooze

March 1st, 2017