Gorky Park
MGM : Thriller : 1.78 (Anamorphic) : 1.0 mono : Rated M : DVD-9 : PAL : 1983 : 123 mins
The Film
Directed by Michael Apted from a Dennis Potter script from a Martin Cruz Smith novel, this is a solid thriller. Lee Marvin, in one of his last roles, plays it tough in his scenes, but for the most part it is William Hurt and a predominantly British cast that carry the film. While there is nothing particularly memorable about the film, there is little to fault it either. It is what it is.
The DVD
Like the US release, this disk is bereft of extras. Even a director's commentary would have been nice. The Australian release is also given a single channel mono audio track, whereas the US got a 2 channel stereo track. Why ? The case say that the disk is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85, however it is resolutely 1.78. Is this the next level of appeasment to the anti-widescreen luddites ? I hope this does not become a trend. Aside from that, we do have a good, solid transfer. Minimal grain, nice colours, a little noise in some of the snow scenes, but it looks good for a 20+ year-old film. The audio, while single channel, is clear and serviceable.
Film : 3 / 5 Disk : 3 / 5
The Film
Directed by Michael Apted from a Dennis Potter script from a Martin Cruz Smith novel, this is a solid thriller. Lee Marvin, in one of his last roles, plays it tough in his scenes, but for the most part it is William Hurt and a predominantly British cast that carry the film. While there is nothing particularly memorable about the film, there is little to fault it either. It is what it is.
The DVD
Like the US release, this disk is bereft of extras. Even a director's commentary would have been nice. The Australian release is also given a single channel mono audio track, whereas the US got a 2 channel stereo track. Why ? The case say that the disk is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85, however it is resolutely 1.78. Is this the next level of appeasment to the anti-widescreen luddites ? I hope this does not become a trend. Aside from that, we do have a good, solid transfer. Minimal grain, nice colours, a little noise in some of the snow scenes, but it looks good for a 20+ year-old film. The audio, while single channel, is clear and serviceable.
Film : 3 / 5 Disk : 3 / 5
posted by Gunslinger at 20:56
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