Dick
Senior HTF Member
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- Rick
Got this yesterday, along with BEND OF THE RIVER. Quality-wise, they are night and day.
I'd call SWASHBUCKLER a guilty pleasure, which I saw with my (then-new) wife in 1976, but I actually don't think it's a bad movie, even though Maltin's guide assigns a "BOMB" rating to it. We both enjoyed it, and I have since then sought out -- in vain until now -- a decent video presentation. This is the transfer I have been hoping for. But only if you have a region-free player and order it from Europe. Thanks for providing for your native country, Universal!
The film has some good sword play, lush, beautiful scenery (Mexico standing in for Jamaica, I believe), a rousing score by John Addison, a fun cast (Robert Shaw just after JAWS, James Earl Jones, just before STAR WARS, Peter Boyle, just after YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and TAXI DRIVER, and a bunch of familiar character actors like Avery Schreiber (remember his Doritos Corn Chips commercials?). Angelica Huston is wasted here, but not so the stunningly beautiful Genevieve Bujold in a strong feminist role that includes a bit of her own swashbuckling.
The film is robust and full of slapstick and good humor, while also turning serious as the pirates, led by Shaw as Ned Lynch, gathers allies together to overthrow the evil governor of Jamaica (Boyle) circa 1718 and rescue the prisoner father of the Bujold character. Much happens during the brief 101-minute running time, which is filled with 2.35:1 eye candy (Bujold foremost) and fun action sequences. This film is not a 'BOMB," Leonard.
Koch Germany has given us a stunning Blu-ray, unfortunately limited to Region B. Default language is German, but your remote can fix this instantly. Extras include both a German and English trailer, and a German-language edition of the 17-minute Universal 8 Super 8mm cut-down edition, which I owned in English and which was one of the few Super 8mm films I owned that were actually letterboxed!
As for the transfer, I find little fault with it. The color is accurate and stable. Natural grain is present throughout. Contrast and black levels are strong. The 2.0 mono sound is clear as a bell. I cannot imagine any future release improving on this. Not expensive, and if you're region-free, you're in for a treat. Highly recommended.
I'd call SWASHBUCKLER a guilty pleasure, which I saw with my (then-new) wife in 1976, but I actually don't think it's a bad movie, even though Maltin's guide assigns a "BOMB" rating to it. We both enjoyed it, and I have since then sought out -- in vain until now -- a decent video presentation. This is the transfer I have been hoping for. But only if you have a region-free player and order it from Europe. Thanks for providing for your native country, Universal!
The film has some good sword play, lush, beautiful scenery (Mexico standing in for Jamaica, I believe), a rousing score by John Addison, a fun cast (Robert Shaw just after JAWS, James Earl Jones, just before STAR WARS, Peter Boyle, just after YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and TAXI DRIVER, and a bunch of familiar character actors like Avery Schreiber (remember his Doritos Corn Chips commercials?). Angelica Huston is wasted here, but not so the stunningly beautiful Genevieve Bujold in a strong feminist role that includes a bit of her own swashbuckling.
The film is robust and full of slapstick and good humor, while also turning serious as the pirates, led by Shaw as Ned Lynch, gathers allies together to overthrow the evil governor of Jamaica (Boyle) circa 1718 and rescue the prisoner father of the Bujold character. Much happens during the brief 101-minute running time, which is filled with 2.35:1 eye candy (Bujold foremost) and fun action sequences. This film is not a 'BOMB," Leonard.
Koch Germany has given us a stunning Blu-ray, unfortunately limited to Region B. Default language is German, but your remote can fix this instantly. Extras include both a German and English trailer, and a German-language edition of the 17-minute Universal 8 Super 8mm cut-down edition, which I owned in English and which was one of the few Super 8mm films I owned that were actually letterboxed!
As for the transfer, I find little fault with it. The color is accurate and stable. Natural grain is present throughout. Contrast and black levels are strong. The 2.0 mono sound is clear as a bell. I cannot imagine any future release improving on this. Not expensive, and if you're region-free, you're in for a treat. Highly recommended.
