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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. 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
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Review: Indicator - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Box Cover |
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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-rayDisc Size: 37,422,234,864 bytesFeature: 23,649,209,664 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.89 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate Blu-ray: |
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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) Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
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Subtitles | English, None | |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Indicator
2.35 :1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 37,422,234,864 bytesFeature: 23,649,209,664 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.89 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• New audio commentary with Kevin Lyons, editor of The Encyclopedia of
Fantastic Films and Television
Custom Blu-ray Case Chapters 10 |
Comments: |
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
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
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Menus / Extras
Difference to the UK and US opening credits
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION