- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,424
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Ronald Neame's 1974 The Odessa File, based upon the spy thriller by Frederick Forsyth, holds up nicely after almost forty years.
While it has certain '70s attributes that may make it seem a bit old-fashioned at times, it's still a very good view.
One of those '70s attributes, of which I was unaware, is the score by one 25 year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber, who had previously provided a piece for Gumshoe (1971) and orchestrations for Jesus Christ Superstar (1973).
His work on Odessa File seems occasionally out of place, and just odd. Short episodic interludes, which seem not quite to fit the action.
I like "Scores," and by that I mean, Herrmann, Korngold, Newman, Waxman, Steiner, et al.
As a Blu-ray, The Odessa File shines, with a very film-like appearance.
Grain, both the amount and structure, seem totally correct. Blacks work nicely, along with requisite shadow detail. The track is uncompressed PCM.
While The Odessa File may not be one of the greatest films of the '70s that has "stood the test of time," it has held up nicely, and still entertains.
The Odessa Files comes to us as part of Columbia's program with Image Entertainment.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Recommended.
RAH