The imagery on Shout Factory’s new Blu-ray of the 1974 all-star epic catastrophe production, Earthquake, is of requisite enough quality to show off the film’s effects for their analogue quality.
Which were not good.
While many top actors, or actors of the past, got themselves a paycheck to appear in this film, the actual star was probably the publicity sizzle of the Sensurround process, as explained in a short piece by Ben Burtt.
I recalled the “landing airliner” in the TV version as being the best part of the broadcast, but my memory must be going, as it’s truly awful.
Some films are best left to one’s memories of them. This is probably one of those.
Imagery is more than acceptable for the feature version, and audio is fine. The TV version is probably best left undiscussed.
Image – 4.5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – If you must
RAH
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Alan Tully
I wouldn’t include Earthquake in that list of terrible films.
mark brown
Second Unit
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JohnMor
I have the Universal blu for sentiment’s sake so no need to “upgrade” to the Shout as I thought at the time that all the added TV footage was dreadful.
Colin Jacobson
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Yup. I still have fond memories of seeing it at Springfield Mall with my mom and getting tacos afterward!
Thought it was great when I was 7. Not so much now!
Randy Korstick
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You sure about that? I thought this was a new transfer.
Randy Korstick
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Universal just did a new transfer why would they do another one for Shout so soon when it not a blockbuster selling title. Screenshots look identical. Shout may have done their own tweaks but nothing major and nothing worth an upgrade for.
skylark68
Screenwriter
So then you’re not sure.
We're excited to announce a new Blu-ray release that will shake you to your core! 1974’s epic disaster flick Earthquake is getting the Collector’s Edition treatment on May 21st with a new scan of the film plus an extended cut featuring scenes shot for Television, and available for pre-order now at: http://bit.ly/EarthquakeCollector
Randy Korstick
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A new scan of the film is usually fluff when a new scan of the film was just done a couple years ago. I've seen nothing that shows a major difference. Plus with Shouts high prices I wouldn't even consider it since I'm not interested in the TV cut.
I get that. I was just questioning this definitive statement.
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- Robert Harris
That’s your typical minimum scan for a feature release, and fine for Blu-ray purposes.
What about an upgrade from the previous Blu Ray?
Jeffrey D
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