The UK publisher Powerhouse, is new to me.
But the fact that they’re distributing Blu-ray product thus far unavailable here in The Colonies, or simply passing beneath my radar, made examining their releases a necessity.
They seem to be publishing in both Region Free, as well as Region B locked.
I checked out a couple of their unlocked products.
The first was The Odessa File (1974).
Based upon the novel by by Frederick Forsyth, and directed by the great Ronald Neame, the film is okay entertainment, but with superb tech support.
Photographed by Oswald Morris, cut by Ralph Kemplen (Oliver!, Day of the Jackal, The African Queen), and with a score by a young composer named Andrew Lloyd Webber.
What was most important to me, was to find out if Powerhouse was releasing quality fare, or older masters and re-treads.
The answer is Quality.
As far as importing The Odessa File, I’d have zero problems.
Color, grain structure, shadow detail, all where they should be.
Having now discovered the previous Image Entertainment release (2012), the two seem to be based upon the same master.
The difference seems to come down to the extras that Powerhouse adds to the mix, and they’re worthwhile, elevating the film with some very serious material. To my eye, the best are set off in red.
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
• 2K restoration
• Original mono audio
• The BFI Interview with Ronald Neame (2003, 67 mins): archival audio recording of the award-winning filmmaker in conversation with Matthew Sweet at London’s National Film Theatre
• The BFI Interview with Oswald Morris (2006, 62 mins): archival audio recording of the celebrated cinematographer in conversation with Anwar Brett at the National Film Theatre
• Safe But Real (2018, 3 mins): new and exclusive interview with stuntman Vic Armstrong
• Foreign Friends (2018, 7 mins): new and exclusive interview with continuity supervisor Elaine Schreyeck
• Super 8 version (17 mins): original cut-down home cinema presentation
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery: promotional photography and publicity material
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with new essays by Carmen Gray and Keith Johnston, Ronald Neame on The Odessa File, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
• UK premiere on Blu-ray
• Limited Edition of 3,000 copies
Image – 5
Audio – 5 (monaural)
Upgrade from DVD – Absolutely.
Upgrade from previous Blu-ray – Worth it for the Neame and Morris interviews alone – Two Hours worth.
Pass / Fail – Pass
Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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