The Light at the Edge of the World Blu-ray

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

Directed by Kevin Billington
USA 1971

A classic adventure from Jules Verne, the legendary writer of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, From the Earth to the Moon and The Mysterious Island! On the bleak, storm-tossed southern tip of South America, a lonely lighthouse guards the world’s most treacherous—and lucrative—shipping lane. But beyond the forces of nature, the lighthouse keepers must also face an even more formidable foe, and soon the turbulent waters become the bloody battleground of two men who fight for control of the cruel Cape Horn and for the pleasures of a helpless, shipwrecked beauty. Kirk Douglas (The Vikings) is Denton, the iron-willed lighthouse keeper who confronts the murderous pirate captain Kongre, played with delicious malevolence by Yul Brynner (Kings of the Sun) in one of his favorite roles. Samantha Eggar (The Collector) is Arabella, an English noblewoman imperiled by her beauty, desired by both men. The only hope to save the seas and their many travelers flickers in a single dim beacon, known to sailors as The Light at the Edge of the World! The stellar cast includes Fernando Rey (The French Connection,) Renato Salvatori (Rocco and His Brothers), Massimo Ranieri (Chronicle of a Homicide) and Aldo Sambrell (Navajo Joe). Stunning cinematography by the great Henri Decaë (Le Samouraï, The Sicilian Clan).

***

This action adventure is based on Jules Verne's The Light at the Edge of the World. It takes place in 1865 on the chilly tip of Argentina in a lighthouse set up to guide ships around the extremely dangerous and turbulent waters of Cape Horn. The lighthouse keeper (Fernando Rey) and his assistant go out to investigate when a strange sailing ship comes too near to the island the lighthouse is on. Denton (Kirk Douglas), the lighthouse keeper's North American apprentice, is left behind. For their pains, the lighthouse keeper and his assistant are killed, and Kongre (Yul Brynner), the ship's pirate captain, goes to the lighthouse and captures Denton. Kongre shuts down the real lighthouse and sets up a false one so that his pirates can prey on the busy ships that must pass nearby. Denton, set loose by his captors on a nearby island, eventually begins to fight back.

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Theatrical Release: July 16th, 1971

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Review: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:08:47.261
Video	2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 44,166,765,989 bytes Feature: 40,356,814,848 bytes Video Bitrate: 37.93 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1555 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1555 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Kino 2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 44,166,765,989 bytes Feature: 40,356,814,848 bytes Video Bitrate: 37.93 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson - Incorporating Interviews with Producer Ilya Salkind and Director Kevin Billington • Radio Spot (0:58) • Theatrical Trailer (3:39) Blu-ray Release Date: February 18th, 2020 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 9

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (February 2020): Kino have transferred the Jules Verne story starring Kirk Douglas The Light at the Edge of the World to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The image is a bit compromised in the first 10-minutes that seems to have been a part of a meager production. The film does settle-in with a competent image in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, modest colors and middling contrast, and the rest of the 1080P presentation is fairly consistent with pleasing detail in the many close-ups.

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original English language. Like the video it has some weakness, a few early syncs seem slightly off but it settles down with ocean waves, guns, cannonballs and fire carrying depth. The score is by Italian composer and jazz musician Piero Piccioni (Two Males For Alexa, Fox With a Velvet Tail, Three Brothers, The 10th Victim, Adua and Her Friends, Hands Over the City, L'assassino, The Moment of Truth) sounding very supportive of the film. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new audio commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson incorporating interviews with Producer Ilya Salkind and Director Kevin Billington (in separate locations). From what I have heard it is at their usual excellent level - I hope to finish it later. There is also a radio spot and theatrical trailer.

The Light at the Edge of the World isn't as much typical Jules Verne boyish-fantasy as I was expecting. There is shocking violence from vicious, unconscionable murder to torture building a strong revenge theme. It is somewhat bleak. I liked the adventure aspects and this is a gripping film. I'm glad to have seen it on Kino's Blu-ray. and, once again, the included commentary, adds much value. Recommended!