Sorcerer (1977) [12009](Note: incorrectly listed as 1.66 on database, actually 1.33)
Just got the LD in this week, opted for the Laserdisc with this one since the DVD is from the same full frame or open matte master as the LD. I don't have the DVD so I can't provide any side by side comparisons.
This might seem to indicate that the LD is 1.66, but that is incorrect (it's also incorrect on the database here, should be 1.33), rather it's a 4:3 transfer of the 1.66 print, either open matte or pan and scan, I'm not sure which since there's nothing to compare it to.
Some screen grabs:
A wider angle would really help here and in the bridge scene:
LD is surprisingly detailed, colors are a bit soft, the DVD may offer more balance.
The Cargo:
The famous bridge scene. I wanted this to last longer, it cost at least 2 million to film it.
Another Obstacle:
35mm I believe 1.66 hard matted? US may have been shown a 1.85. No 70mm treatment unfortunately.
Audio contains analog and digital Surround
Audio was played in Prologic IIx + Movie + THX on my Pioneer VSX-53
Released a month after Star Wars in '77 this movie failed to recoup its budget of 22 million. At one point it even replaced Star Wars but after low attendance the decision was reversed. It was co produced by Universal and Paramount. The US DVD and LD are labeled MCA Universal and Paramount handled international distribution.
Tangerine Dream score fit nicely in the background and didn't overshadow the film or sound effects. The first 30 minutes are pretty boring and in the european release they cut most of that out. I think if I were to make the movie I'd have cut the first 30 minutes and added more jungle scenes and more action and obstacles and tighten up the ending. This is a prelude to Indiana Jones-type films. Indiana Jones's character was clearly modeled after Roy's Scheider's, minus the whip. It looks like Spielberg took all the great things about this film and expanded on those for Indiana Jones.
Intro contains a Theatrical Trailer for Sorcerer which I haven't seen yet on Laserdisc. It's on 2 Discs, as you probably noticed above the first disc is CLV and Disc 2 is CAV. Side 4 is blank. My discs were free of any scratches, there was some small smudge of glue which was hard to remove but it came off after ten minutes of rubbing and polishing.
I'd definitely recommend the LD, both are 4:3, but since the DVD didn't get a new transfer I doubt there's any great improvement on DVD. It may be years before there's a Blu ray release but I will surely get one as a 1.66 or preferably 1.78 would be a real improvement. There's several scenes as referenced in the pics above that would widen the angle and improve the cinematic experience. From reading the director disliked widescreen for the home video market but has recently changed his viewpoint.
Back to when this little low-key masterpiece will turn Blu is anybody's guess. Apparently no studio is claiming ownership. It's currently in court with a decision to be reached by Nov 26 of this year. If there is no settlement a trial date of March 2013 will be set.
It's widely available on DVD but it looks like the LD is getting harder to find. The large format cover/artwork is definitely a plus for the LD.
My Score: based on 1 to 10 (10 being best)
Picture 7 (No laser rot. A knock off for not being in 1.66 or 1.85, but a bonus for still being an impressive watch in 4:3. At times the picture is a little grainy and daylight scenes are a tad white but overall the color and sharpness are really impressive. As laserbite puts it: Laserdisc Good!)
Audio 7.5 (Dolby Surround delivers all the effects right where you want them, a discrete TrueHD 7.1 or DTS HD MA remaster would really be nice.)
Soundtrack 7.5 (Tangerine Dream was a nice touch and their first film score. The Dolby Surround and on my system at least in Prologic IIx + Movie + THX spaces the music between front and rear with appropriate delay and are distinguishable between vocals and effects.
Cover/packaging 7.0 (Not a gatefold and DVD is similar but it's still a nice package and captures the best scene on the cover.)
Exclusivity/rarity 7.0 Moderate (LD is harder to find but DVD is widely available and also the same transfer.)
Story/plot 7 (Some fantastic scenes, suspense but could have been edited like the European releases and wouldn't miss much)
WOW Factor 7.0 If this wasn't the only LD in the room it might get unnoticed, but next to the DVD it would be in your hands first. Also the weight of two LD's inside gives it that extra heft of a Special Edition yet lacks the appeal of a gatefold. Color and printing aren't incredible but the back cover has sufficient detail for the average collector. Not a Criterion and definitely a movie that should have been.
Overall: 7.0 Fairly good re-watch value if you skip the first 25 minutes.
Thanks list
