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Massacre in Dinosaur Valley aka "Nudo e selvaggio" [Blu-ray]
Michele Massimo Tarantini (as Michael E. Lemick), 1985
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: DMV Distribuzione Video: 88 Films / Severin
Disc: Region: FREE ( both) (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)Runtime: English - 1:27:31.621 / Italian - 1:26:30.602 / Disc Size: 44,697,925,322 bytes / 38,679,233,147 bytes English-language feature size: 20,142,090,240 bytes / Italian-language feature size: 18,566,080,512 bytes Feature: 23,811,667,968 bytesVideo Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps / 24.98 Mbps / 30.11 Mbps Chapters: 12 / 12 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: March 13th, 2017 / September 29th, 2020
Video (both): Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit LPCM Audio Italian 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1670 kbps
2.0 / 48 kHz / 1670 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz /
1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles: None / Non-removable English on the Italian Language version English (SDH) translated, DUB-titles, none
Extras: • Location, Location, Cannibalization (20:41)• Deleted Scenes (10:49) • Original trailer (2:05)
•
Valley
Boy - Interview with Actor Michael Sopkiw (23:12)
Bitrates
Description: When their plane crashes in the dense Amazon
jungle, anthropologist, and all-round ladies man, Kevin Hall
(Michael Sopkiw, Blastfighter), is left to protect a
bevy of model bombshells who were along for the ride;
including the gorgeous Eva (Suzane Carvalho, Women in
Fury). On their journey back to civilization, they
battle the harsh elements of the Amazon and clash with
terrifying jungle creatures, not to mention a run in with
local slave traders. They eventually find themselves deep in
cannibal territory and fighting to save their skins. *** 1980s Italian action adventure written and directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini. When their plane crashes on a South American expedition deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Kevin Hall (Michael Sopkiw) tries to lead his group of scientists and models to safety. To get back to civilization he must first fight his way through hostile slave traders, bloodthirsty cannibals and a variety of the jungle's monsters.
The Film: Michael Sopkiw (2019: After The Fall of New York) stars as Kevin Hall, a bone hunter from the Boston Institute of Paleontology who is able to tag along on a plane that is making a side trip to the cursed 'valley of the dinosaurs' where there is supposedly a huge number of bones, fossils, and footprints to examine. After a quick bar fight between Kevin and a couple of oiled-up muscle dudes, the plane is soon bound for the forbidden zone. Along for the ride are a Vietnam vet and his bickering over the hill Marilyn Monroe wannabe wife, a photographer with a couple of models, and an older professor with his hot daughter. The plane crashes and Kevin finds himself trying to lead the passengers to safety through the cannibal-infested jungles while also contending with quicksand, snakes, crocodiles, piranhas, slave labour, and a power struggle with the army guy. Excerpt from TheVideoGraveyard located HERE
Yes, it’s another ‘b’ movie jungle flick featuring cannibalistic
natives, acres of naked female flesh (”Are you sure this shouldn’t be
called Breast Night” - Zomblee), leeches, quicksand and severed
heads. Although obviously a cheaper production than the first film of
the night, Massacre… is just as much fun, as our intrepid plane crash
survivors search for a way out of the cursed Valley of the Dinosaurs
(don’t get too excited and make the same mistake as me though, there
aren’t actually any real dinosaurs in the film).
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. Massacre in Dinosaur Valley aka "Nudo e selvaggio" gets a solid transfer to Blu-ray from 88 Films in the UK. Both the English and Italian versions get separate transfers "Restored in 2K from the Original Camera Negative". The 1.5 hour film get a supportive bitrates and the visual quality can impress looking far superior than one might anticipate. The English version is slightly superior but it is negligible. The modest production has layered contrast and frequent depth. There is a green cast over the image. It's in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio without compression artifacts or digital noise and grain textures are prevalent. This dual-layered Blu-ray higher resolution does expose some of the low-budget effects - the plane crash is particularly transparent as are the brief viewing of a piranha attack.
Severin's 1080P is described as "Uncut & remastered in 4k for the first time ever in America!" and "uncut in 4k from the original negative". It looks significantly improved exposing the green haze over the 88 Films even more in side-by-side comparison. Severin have also seems to have 'straightened' out the image (loose gate) and flesh tones are more realistic and colors dhow more depth. It may also be a bit sharper with a higher bitrate. Textures are fine and visible. Severin, instead of two separate transfers for the Italian and English languages, use the same stronger source with the option of both audio tracks and added the Italian credit sequences as a bonus. Severin wins this handily.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :88 Films use linear PCM mono tracks at 2304 kbps that export the film's modest production expressions easily in both English and Italian languages - DUBs fairly transparent. There are effects but any audio depth seems superficial - even in carrying some weight. the uncredited score is a bit redundant and generic in buoying the action. There are non-removable English subtitles on the Italian-language version, none offered on the English, and my Oppo has identified it as being region FREE - playable worldwide.
Severin's DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel tracks, in both Italian or English options don't sound significantly improved over 88 Films linear PCM. They may have more depth. English subtitles in SDH or a second option, not on the menu, (DUB-titles) and both are fully optional (see samples above) and their Blu-ray is also Region FREE.
Extras : Dr. Calum Waddell is a film critic, British writer and the director of the 2015 documentary Eaten Alive! The Rise and Fall of the Italian Cannibal Film. As part of a 20-minute video supplement entitled Location, Location, Cannibalization he discusses the appeal, value and attraction of Cannibals in film and relays information on Cannibalizing cultures. It's relevant, interesting and... excellent. There are also almost 11-minutes worth of deleted scenes plus an original trailer. The package offers a revisable sleeve (see bottom cover art.)
Severin offer interviews with actor Michael Sopkiw for 23-minutes and Co-Writer Dardano Sacchetti for a 1/4 hour plus the deleted and extended scenes in English or Italian, a trailer and the aforementioned Italian credits.
88 Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Severin - Region FREE Blu-ray
BOTTOM LINE:
Severin have the better video, by a substantial margin, lossless audio and some interviews as extras. It's the edition that we endorse as definitive for Massacre in Dinosaur Valley. The film still has the same camp appeal - kind of a fun diversion. Gary Tooze March 20th, 2017 September 27th, 2020
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
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find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
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