- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,397
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
As a Vietnam era production, The Dirty Dozen mixed a number of metaphors combining the current conflict with WWII.
Directed by Robert Aldrich, a filmmaker who is yet to be re-discovered by modern audiences for his superb work, and produced by Kenneth Hyman, why shortly thereafter took over the reigns at Warner Bros., the M-G-M production has arrived on HD-DVD with perfection.
Photographed in 35mm for projection at 1.85 aspect ratio, and blown up to 70mm from the camera originals with an added stereo soundtrack for special performances in large venues, The Dirty Dozen holds up beautifully after almost four decades.
I always like to look at films from the point of view of the median. As a 1967 production, going back forty years before its production takes one to the dawn of sound.
Keep that in perspective when you view this marvelously detailed HD-DVD.
With printer functions cut into the original as dupes, rather than working with A & B rolls, the astute viewer will note that the Main Title sequence as well as dissolves are all down in quality by two generations. As this was a production created before we had quality duping elements, the changes in grain, contrast and color are all there to be witnessed in HD, as they were in theaters.
Everything is correct with this DVD, which serves as a reminder of what a quality production cut in single strand could look like forty years ago.
A 30 minute documentary adds an additional layer of interest here, as it did on the SD release, and I note its inclusion as this is 30 minutes worth one's while.
The Dirty Dozen as an HD-DVD release from Warner Bros. comes Very Highly Recommended. The film is perfectly represented in the format, and like a number of other HD releases, looks like film.
As an aside, The Dirty Dozen was nominated for four Academy Awards. John Cassavetes for Actor in a Supporting Role, Michael Luciano for Film Editing, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Dept. for Sound...
John Poyner won the Academy Award for Sound Effects.
As a representation of film on video, it doesn't get much better than this for the era.
RAH
Directed by Robert Aldrich, a filmmaker who is yet to be re-discovered by modern audiences for his superb work, and produced by Kenneth Hyman, why shortly thereafter took over the reigns at Warner Bros., the M-G-M production has arrived on HD-DVD with perfection.
Photographed in 35mm for projection at 1.85 aspect ratio, and blown up to 70mm from the camera originals with an added stereo soundtrack for special performances in large venues, The Dirty Dozen holds up beautifully after almost four decades.
I always like to look at films from the point of view of the median. As a 1967 production, going back forty years before its production takes one to the dawn of sound.
Keep that in perspective when you view this marvelously detailed HD-DVD.
With printer functions cut into the original as dupes, rather than working with A & B rolls, the astute viewer will note that the Main Title sequence as well as dissolves are all down in quality by two generations. As this was a production created before we had quality duping elements, the changes in grain, contrast and color are all there to be witnessed in HD, as they were in theaters.
Everything is correct with this DVD, which serves as a reminder of what a quality production cut in single strand could look like forty years ago.
A 30 minute documentary adds an additional layer of interest here, as it did on the SD release, and I note its inclusion as this is 30 minutes worth one's while.
The Dirty Dozen as an HD-DVD release from Warner Bros. comes Very Highly Recommended. The film is perfectly represented in the format, and like a number of other HD releases, looks like film.
As an aside, The Dirty Dozen was nominated for four Academy Awards. John Cassavetes for Actor in a Supporting Role, Michael Luciano for Film Editing, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Dept. for Sound...
John Poyner won the Academy Award for Sound Effects.
As a representation of film on video, it doesn't get much better than this for the era.
RAH
