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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by John Gilling

UK 1963

 

We’re all familiar with the stirring adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel during the Reign of Terror. But the premise of The Scarlet Blade (originally released in the US as The Crimson Blade) is that Edward Beverley (Hedley) was engaged in similar acts of derring-do more than 100 years earlier. He’s the son of a stalwart Royalist family that has been harbouring the fugitive King Charles I and guiding his followers to safety. When the story begins in 1648, Roundheads led by Colonel Judd (Lionel Jeffries) have just commandeered Beverly Manor. Edward’s father is murdered after he refuses to betray his monarch or his principles.

As the Scarlet Blade and his merry men continue their guerrilla campaign, Judd’s doe-eyed daughter Claire (June Thorburn) becomes a co-conspirator. Of course she falls hopelessly in love with the man who is top of her father’s Most Wanted list. Judd’s right-hand man Captain Sylvester (Reed) soon joins her cause, though he’s driven more by lust than altruism.

Excerpt from Popoptiq located HERE

***

A 1964 British action adventure film from Hammer studios. The Scarlet Blade is set during the English civil war. A cruel Roundhead Colonel is on the trail of royalist sympathizers, but unaware of his daughters royalist sympathies. When she falls into a love triangle with Cavalier Edward Beverly and Roundhead officer Captain Sylvester the stage is set for double crossing.

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 1963

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Review: Indicator - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

only available presently as part of Hammer Volume Five: Death & Deceit Blu-ray package

Distribution Indicator - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:22:49.881        
Video

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 37,422,234,864 bytes

Feature: 23,649,209,664 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.89 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 1086 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1086 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Indicator

 

2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 37,422,234,864 bytes

Feature: 23,649,209,664 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.89 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• New audio commentary with Kevin Lyons, editor of The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Films and Television
• Hammer’s Women: June Thorburn (2020): profile of The Scarlet Blade actor by film historian Josephine Botting (18:21)
• Stephen Laws Introduces ‘The Scarlet Blade’ (2020): appreciation by the acclaimed horror author (6:41)
• Doing Battle (2020): second assistant director Hugh Harlow and continuity supervisor Pauline Wise discuss the challenges of making the film (7:12)
• Almost an Auteur (2020, 28 mins): horror author and critic Kim Newman looks at the career of director John Gilling and considers the films he made for Hammer (28:09)
• Appropriately Military (2020): appreciation of Gary Hughes’ score by David Huckvale, author of Hammer Film Scores and the Musical Avant-Garde (11:49)
• Original US theatrical trailer (2:30)
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
• Limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Neil Sinyard, Jeff Billington on the 1960s film career of Oliver Reed, a selection of extracts from the Hammer publicity manual, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits


Blu-ray Release Date:
March 30th, 2020
Custom Blu-ray Case

Chapters 10

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (April 2020): Indicator have transferred, another Hammer Studio's film, John Gilling's The Scarlet Blade (aka "The Crimson Blade") as part of their Hammer Volume Five: Death & Deceit Blu-ray package (we have already reviewed the other three; The Pirates of Blood River, The Brigand of Kandahar and Visa to Canton).

The Indicator Blu-ray offers two presentations of the film: The Scarlet Blade, with the original UK title sequence, or as The Crimson Blade, the alternative US title. These are seamlessly branched and aside from the opening credits the transfer is exactly the same. There are a few bright speckles but otherwise a modest HD presentation. The grain isn't abundant but is there. I would say this is in the lower half of HD video appearance although almost certainly the available source as it is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Colors (reds) can have strong moments. The image presentation isn't breaking any records but is likely the best it will ever get and a notable leap beyond SD.

NOTE: Yes, there may be touch of 'CinemaScope Mumps' (the effect was that close-ups would slightly overstretch an actor's face making them look wider or fatter). It was also theatrically seen with this effect.

On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a DTS-HD Master 1.0 channel mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. There isn't much depth exported. The score is credited to Gary Hughes (The Pirates of Blood River, The Devil-Ship Pirates, The Viking Queen) who, didn't compose much beyond those swashbucklers as he died quite young. it suits the film's more adventurous elements. Indicator offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offer a new audio commentary by Kevin Lyons, editor of The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Films and Television. It was a pleasure to hear his thoughts as he rifles off tidbits of the cast, crew etc. We get another episode of Hammer’s Women. This is a new profile of The Scarlet Blade actor June Thorburn (The 3 Worlds of Gulliver) by film historian Josephine Botting running almost 20-minutes. Seems June was a Tomboy who ran away from 10 Boarding Schools. Next up, Stephen Laws introduces ‘The Scarlet Blade’ via a 7-minute appreciation by the acclaimed horror author (Ghost Train.) Doing Battle is a new, short, interview with second assistant director Hugh Harlow (Deadfall, Far from the Madding Crowd) and continuity supervisor Pauline Wise (script continuity for other Hammer films such as The Gorgon and The Evil of Frankenstein) who both discuss (separately) the challenges of making the film for just over 7-minutes. Almost an Auteur is a 1/2 video piece with horror author and critic Kim Newman who looks at the career of director John Gilling and considers the films he made for Hammer. Appropriately Military is a new dozen minute appreciation of Gary Hughes’ score by David Huckvale, author of Hammer Film Scores and the Musical Avant-Garde. Lastly, is a US theatrical trailer and an extensive image gallery of promotional and publicity materials. This package has a limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Neil Sinyard, Jeff Billington on the 1960s film career of Oliver Reed, a selection of extracts from the Hammer publicity manual, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits

John Gilling can craft a Hammer film... and more (The Plague of the Zombies, Pickup Alley, The Brigand of Kandahar, The Mummy's Shroud, The Reptile, The Pirates of Blood River). The Scarlet Blade is not, however, premium Hammer. Nice to see Lionel Jeffries as a baddie - playing a Roundhead with a decidedly round head! The Scarlet Blade is geared towards Hammer completists. I was pleased with my viewing - there is still some of the studios charm there. The Indicator Blu-ray is at their usual atmospheric level getting the most out of the source they can and adding a commentary and many appreciated extras. Another 'Gilling' as part of Hammer Volume Five: Death & Deceit Blu-ray package.

Gary Tooze

 


Menus / Extras

 


Difference to the UK and US opening credits

 

 

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

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

only available presently as part of Hammer Volume Five: Death & Deceit Blu-ray package

Distribution Indicator - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


 


 

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