Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Audio commentary by Glenn Kenny
• Super 8 version (16:06)
• Theatrical Trailer (3:02)
• Image gallery
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Thirza Wakefield
Limited Dual Format Edition of 3,000 copies.

DVD included

Bitrate:

 

 

 

The Film:

Based on the book by Lawrence Sanders, The Anderson Tapes was the first film to tackle the subject of modern surveillance, a theme that would be more thoroughly explored a few years later in Coppola's The Conversation (1974). Connery plays an unrepentant thief just released from prison, who has barely changed out of his stripes before he has another caper planned-this time to steal everything in the posh apartment building of his long-time girlfriend (Dyan Cannon). The switch here is that every move he makes is caught on film and every word is recorded by a cabal of law enforcement voyeurs.

The Anderson Tapes was shot on location in New York on a tight budget and completed in six hurried weeks. Perceptions of its success vary from "moderate" to "resounding", but the movie and Connery's performance were generally well received.

Excerpt fromTheNYTimes located HERE

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

The Anderson Tapes looks very authentic and film-like on Blu-ray from Indicator in the UK. The 1080P image quality shows a sweet layer of grain and the contrast is consistently layered. This is single-layered with a supportive bitrate. It is neither glossy nor pristinely sharp but shows some depth and black levels are adept. It's clean without blemishes or speckles and I would guess the 1.85:1 aspect ratio visuals are a strong representation of the original theatrical presentation. This Blu-ray, visually, does its job well.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The audio is transferred via a linear PCM authentically mono at 1152 kbps (24-bit). There is modest depth in the film's infrequent effects. The film's music is notable for the score by Quincy Jones (The Getaway, The Slender Thread, The Pawnbroker, In the Heat of the Night, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs) and it encapsulates a gritty 70's feel sounding quite appealing in the uncompressed. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE - playable world-wide.

Extras :

Indicator add value to their package with a new audio commentary by Glenn Kenny discussing the film, cast, Lumet, the film's "surveillance" themes - it's interesting and educational. There is the 16-minute 3:4 Super 8 version of the film - fairly superfluous as anything more than a curiosity - or long trailer. There is a click-thru image gallery, a theatrical trailer and this limited edition includes an exclusive 24-page booklet with a new essay by Thirza Wakefield, archive review, Sidney Lumet on The Anderson Tapes, and a look at the source novel. It is limited to 3,000 copies and includes a second disc DVD of the film and extras.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
The Anderson Tapes is a very good heist film - it's not great - but it is entertaining, especially if you are keen on the actors. The director knows how to set pace and advance a story well, although it lacks a sense of urgency. The Anderson Tapes has the recognizable 70's 'feel'. It was a good choice to release on Blu-ray. The 1080P presentation is rich and authentic looking and the package with extensive booklet, commentary etc. makes it a valued purchase. Yes, strongly recommended! 

Gary Tooze

February 18th, 2017

 

Coming out without the booklet in November 2020:   coming to Blu-ray from Kino in the US in July 2023:

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