Brent Avery
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2002
- Messages
- 747
My overall impression of this film is that it was well worth purchasing. I found it to be quite entertaining and although I haven't read the book I never try to compare one to a film that bases itself on any novel - the novel usually wins. Overall the print was very clean and sharp with very good colors - detail was very good as well. The soundtrack is presented in 5.1 and gets very high marks. I do not know what they sourced - I assume it was originally a multi track recording but regardless the final outcome was very welcome. The bass was full and substantial - given the age of the film - and the various instruments easy to follow and well dispersed through the front and rears. The rears were used more for ambience but were also put to good use throughout the film to enhance the musical score as well. I noticed it mentioned that it was filmed in Cinerama during the opening credits - and Super Panavision. It has an opening Overture, the Intermission/ Entr'Acte and Exit Music- each with a different still shot of the sub.Which leads me to ask if this was part of the original theatrical release.Granted ,as far as the video is concerned this was viewed on a 26" tv and I plan on watching it on a 107" 2:35 screen by the weekend so that should address overall quality but so far so good. There is a short ( 7 minutes )vintage featurette on cameraman John Stevens entitled "The Man Who Makes A Difference" that was informative enough and showed a few scenes from the making of Gran Prix - not much but still interesting - but mostly dealing with his techniques and applying them to Ice Station Zebra. So far I give Warners an A for taking the time to give us an above average effort. Enjoy yours - I certainly did!