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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Joe Pytka
USA 1989

 

On one great day, Jay Trotter (Richard Dreyfuss) has a chance to make all his dreams come true. ‘Let it ride’ is Trotter’s motto. After learning about a horse arranged to come in first, he is determined to place a bet and then parlay his money. Trotter thinks he might have a chance to win a fortune if he doesn’t listen to the advice of his friends – a funny assortment of characters who bring new meaning to the expression ‘the odds’. Based on the novel by Jay Cronley (Funny Farm, Quick Change).

***

An average kind of guy who has a slight problem with gambling goes to the track, and mystically, it seems as though he can't lose, no matter how he bets; and he has an incredible day.

Posters

Theatrical Release: August 18th, 1989

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

Bonus Captures:

 

Distribution Imprint Spine #35 - Region FREE - Blu-ray Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:30:12.323          1:30:13.324       
Video

1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 34,494,184,247 bytes

Feature: 27,281,817,600 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 29,029,181,898 bytes

Feature: 28,097,802,240 bytes

Video Bitrate: 36.49 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate Imprint Blu-ray:

Bitrate Paramount Blu-ray:

Audio

DTS-HD High-Res Audio English 3840 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3840 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:

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

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2108 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2108 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -27dB
Dolby Digital Audio German 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -27dB
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -27dB
Subtitles English, None English, French, Spanish, German, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Imprint

 

1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 34,494,184,247 bytes

Feature: 27,281,817,600 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Scott Harrison (2020)
“The Finish Line: Directing Let It Ride” – An interview with director Joe Pytka (2020) (16:10)
Deleted Scenes (10:56)
Theatrical Trailer (2:19)
Limited Edition slipcase with unique artwork on the first 1500 copies


Blu-ray Release Date:
May 7th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Case inside slipcase

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio:
Paramount

 

1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 34,494,184,247 bytes

Feature: 27,281,817,600 bytes

Video Bitrate: 31.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• Behind the Scenes Featurette (3:48)


Blu-ray Release Date:
April 5th, 2022
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 13

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Paramount Blu-ray (April 2022): Paramount have come out with their own Blu-ray release of Joe Pytka's Let it Ride. It looks like the same D1 - and very similar 1080P transfer. The 1.78:1 image is the same with the Paramount being slightly more robust, offers French, Spanish and German DUB/subtitle options and has only a 4-minute 'Behind the Scenes' featurette as an extra. It's attraction is the very reasonable price. Suitable to those who just want the film and are indifferent to supplements. 

***

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (May 2021): Imprint have transferred Joe Pytka's Let it Ride to Blu-ray. It is cited as being a "1080p high definition presentation from Paramount Pictures". It is on a dual-layered disc with a high bitrate in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It looks modest, faithfully supporting an 80's look that is discussed in the Scott Harrison commentary. Colors can have a richness (Miss Tilly's red dress) but the overall looking can be more blotchy than smooth. I don't doubt this is a function of the 80's less-resilient stock utilized. There is infrequent depth and, while faithful, is not going to represent any 'demo' presentations for this format. It is consistent and seems to support the film with a reasonable degree of accuracy.    

NOTE: We have added 64 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint offer the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track or a linear PCM stereo track (24-bit) - both in the original English language. The surround is quite robust and exports pleasing depth and separations in the horse races, crowd noises etc. The score is by Giorgio Moroder (1982's Cat People, Top Gun, Midnight Express, Scarface etc. etc.) augmented by Castígala by Willy Chirino, Eddy Arnold's "Cattle Call", Huey "Piano" Smith's Don't You Just Know It, Don Gibson's Oh Lonesome Me and Johann Strauss' Perpetuum Mobile among other pieces. The tracks handle the film's requirement without issue. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offers a new (2020) commentary by Scott Harrison. We've heard a number of his commentaries and he is quite good. He discusses ambivalence of director Joe Pytka's resume (this was his feature debut previously doing commercials and Michael Jackson music videos), quotes an interview with writer Jay Cronley (novel as based) and his disappointment with the screenwriter and director, plus a lot on Dreyfuss, Garr (their more famous previous pairing), minor appearances by Robbie Coltrane, Michelle Phillips etc. He reads review excerpts of the film making the case for it being more than a 'guilty favorite'. It's nicely paced and I enjoyed his observations. There is also a 16-minute interview with director Joe Pytka, deleted scenes and a trailer. This package offers a limited edition slipcase with unique artwork on the first 1500 copies.     

I remember watching Let it Ride on video some 30-odd years ago. It is memorable for the story, Dreyfuss, and Jennifer Tilly's... ummm... screen presence (I was much younger.) It's a fun film, that they don't often make these days; involving gambling, horse-racing and the eccentric characters that inhabit that space. There is an interesting comparison, by commentarist Scott, with the volatile Garr/Dreyfuss relationship and his obsession - both similar in Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I enjoyed Let it Ride and thought it was funny. The Imprint Blu-ray is not exceptional video-wise, but it does carry an authenticity for that 80's video expression 'looking good in a low-key way'. The addition of the new commentary and director interview add value. Recommended!

Gary Tooze

 


Menus / Extras

 

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2) Paramount - Region FREE- Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) Imprint  - Region FREE - Blu-ray TOP

2) Paramount - Region FREE- Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

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Box Cover

 

Bonus Captures:

 

Distribution Imprint Spine #35 - Region FREE - Blu-ray Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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