- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,425
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
The Admirable Crichton, released in the Colonies in 1957 as Paradise Lagoon is a class comedy. Think Upstairs, Downstairs meets Lord of the Flies, the original Blue Lagoon and Gilligan's Island.
It's a sweet British production that I'd only seen once before, and it looked nothing like Twilight Time's new Blu-ray.
When I'm shocked by the look of a mid-50s Eastman Color production, there's either something very right or very wrong with it, and in this case it's all to the positive.
With the exception of the Columbia logos, which to my eye look a bit thin, the entire film is represented in such a way that I had to stop and think if there might have been a three-strip production after the nominal end date c. 1955.
The Admirable Crichton looks so superb, that it perfectly mimics a dye transfer print out of Technicolor London, based upon the most perfected exposed Eastman stock of the era.
It was photographed by Wilkie Cooper, probably best known for his work on the Columbia Harryhausen productions, along with Stage Fright.
If the film were not a charming UK comedy of manners, I would still be recommending it simply for the quality of the image harvest.
AC features Kenneth More, Diane Cilento (six years before Tom Jones), Cecil Parker and Sally Ann Howes (who took over My Fair Lady on Broadway for the original Eliza).
Many will also notice the face of John Le Mesurier, a terrific British character actor, although few will know his name.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Highly Recommended
RAH
It's a sweet British production that I'd only seen once before, and it looked nothing like Twilight Time's new Blu-ray.
When I'm shocked by the look of a mid-50s Eastman Color production, there's either something very right or very wrong with it, and in this case it's all to the positive.
With the exception of the Columbia logos, which to my eye look a bit thin, the entire film is represented in such a way that I had to stop and think if there might have been a three-strip production after the nominal end date c. 1955.
The Admirable Crichton looks so superb, that it perfectly mimics a dye transfer print out of Technicolor London, based upon the most perfected exposed Eastman stock of the era.
It was photographed by Wilkie Cooper, probably best known for his work on the Columbia Harryhausen productions, along with Stage Fright.
If the film were not a charming UK comedy of manners, I would still be recommending it simply for the quality of the image harvest.
AC features Kenneth More, Diane Cilento (six years before Tom Jones), Cecil Parker and Sally Ann Howes (who took over My Fair Lady on Broadway for the original Eliza).
Many will also notice the face of John Le Mesurier, a terrific British character actor, although few will know his name.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Highly Recommended
RAH
