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Directed by Robert Michael Lewis
USA 1974

 

When a power-mad tycoon (Andy Griffith) challenges three advertising executives to a motorcycle trip down Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, their weekend getaway turns into a nightmare of desert warfare. For the trio (William Shatner, Robert Reed and Marjoe Gortner), the initial lure is a multi-million-dollar account, but a sudden terrifying incident along the ride reveals their unpredictable client’s real intentions: to test just how far the men will go to save their careers and their families. As the action intensifies, so do the fascinating character dynamics, driving this engrossing thriller to its startling climax. Wonderfully directed by Robert Michael Lewis and co-starring Angie Dickinson, Janet Margolin and Lorraine Gary.

***

Pray for the Wildcats is a 1974 U.S. television film that originally aired as an ABC Movie of the Week. It is a thriller-drama about a psychopathic business executive chasing his workers on dirtbikes through the desert after he killed a young man. The film was directed by Robert Michael Lewis and starred William Shatner and Andy Griffith. It co-starred Robert Reed, Marjoe Gortner, Angie Dickinson, and Lorraine Gary.

Posters

Broadcast Release: January 23rd, 1974

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

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Full Resolution Captures:
Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:32:42.598        
Video

1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,132,190,253 bytes

Feature: 20,501,428,224 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.14 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 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 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

 

1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 22,132,190,253 bytes

Feature: 20,501,428,224 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.14 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian/Author Amanda Reyes and Film Historian/Podcaster Bill Ackerman
• Trailers


 Blu-ray Release Date: March 3rd, 2020
 Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 10

 

 

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 Made-for-TV movie Pray for the Wildcats to Blu-ray. It is from a 'Brand New 2K Master". It is in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and appears to have been shot on film. The image is quite pleasing, only on a single-layered disc with a supportive bitrate. I was occasionally impressed by close-ups and there is no damage or undue marks. The colors appear true and depth was apparent. Pretty solid in 1080P.

NOTE: All 20 large resolution Blu-ray captures (lossless PNG format) are for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original English language. It has the frequent motorcycles engines and ocean effect sounds plus a score by Fred Myrow (Soylent Green, Plan 10 from Outer Space) playing in the background accentuating moods. It was clean and fairly unremarkable. Dialogue was audible. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray includes a new audio commentary by Amanda Reyes (author of Are You In The House Alone?: A TV Movie Compendium 1964-1999) and film historian/podcaster Bill Ackerman. The audio is not perfect on the commentary sounding a little like it may have been done over a phone line, but the content is excellent. They discuss the background of Pray For the Wildcats, when it aired (1974,) what it ran against (broadcast-wise) in its premiere, that the film's era was nearing the conclusion of the counter-culture movement, Vietnam war etc. Amanda references themes of Americana and myth-making, that the movie is a hybrid of many thing including a domestic drama... I thought the analysis was highly interesting and showed significantly more layers to the film that I would have realized. There are also some trailers (none for the film.)

Well, Pray for the Wildcats was nothing like I was expecting. It travels to exceedingly dark places - almost Deliverance-esque. We get some acting chops from Andy of Mayberry, Captain Kirk and Mike Brady. Despite their participation, this is, by no means, a family film. We also get Angie Dickinson (Dressed to Kill), Lorraine Gary (Mrs. Brody in Jaws) and Janet Margolin (David and Lisa). This really threw me for a loop and the included commentary increased my appreciation. Very cool stuff here. This Kino Blu-ray gets our recommendation. 

Gary Tooze

 

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All full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

 
Box Cover

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Full Resolution Captures:
Distribution Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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