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from Ultimate DVD #22 |
Manhunter • Gandhi • Captain Scarlet A small fraction of Ultimate DVD's huge Region 2 Reviews section - dozens of new discs every month! |
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| MANHUNTER | • Back to top | Rated: 18 |
The MovieMore stylized and less overtly grisly than Lambs or
Hannibal, Michael Mann's film of Red Dragon (and the first screen
appearance of Hannibal Lecter/Lecktor) possesses an atmospheric artistry that
thrills the senses. Though William Petersen is perhaps a bit too internal as
FBI profiler Will Graham, the work of Brian Cox as a less theatrical Hannibal
and Tom Noonan as the terrifying killer Dollarhyde are brilliant. As is Dante
The ExtrasHannibal fever continues with this German release which is a straight port-over of the Anchor Bay version (minus the poor quality director's cut). Picture and sound are razor sharp, supported by two Documentaries totalling around half an hour. The Manhunter Look has Spinotti praising Mann's precise framing and his total command over props and production design, paying particular attention to the shooting and editing of Graham's cell chat with Lecktor. Inside Manhunter sees the cast recalling the long hours and serious on-set tone, with Noonan's contribution proving fascinating, as he explains how he stayed in character the whole time and deliberately only met Petersen on the last night, when their hellish confrontation was filmed.
Jason Caro |
Dangerous minds |
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| from Ultimate DVD #22 | ||
| GANDHI | • Back to top | Rated: PG |
The MovieAn ambitious production covering the life of one tiny man who challenged the world's thinking, Gandhi was awarded nine Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Kingsley. It's certainly a superlative performance by the former RSC performer, who portrays "the spokesman for the conscience of all mankind" from early adulthood right through to old age. Along the way, Gandhi challenges apartheid, brings about the end of British rule in his home country, and defuses the bloody civil war between Hindus and Muslims, before being assassinated by a religious extremist as he prepares to tour Pakistan. Visually, this is a masterpiece: Ronnie Taylor and Billy Williams's photography makes exceptional use of the 2.35:1 framing, magnificently presenting golden palaces, sultry sunsets, sprawling plantations and bustling cities (how much poorer this must have looked on full-frame VHS). The (quite literally) cast of thousands fill the screen (remember these were the days before CGI allowed bobbing heads to be cut and pasted in), defining a massively populated land rife with poverty. Yet, by Attenborough's own admission, this film offers merely a taste of the man and his life, resulting in some woefully underwritten supporting roles, particularly among the rank and file of the British Empire - here represented as silly toffs. The director's 'Old Boys' Club' casting doesn't help either, with old mates like John Mills, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard and dozens of others popping up with tiresome regularity, as if this were some movie star gala. Not quite a perfect production then, but the succession of powerful
scenes (pacifist crowds marching on the salt works, only to be chopped down;
the violent bloodshed among Hindus and Muslims; Gandhi's refusal to eat unless
fighting ends…) are hugely affecting. And there's no denying that this
story of one man's dignity and personal empowerment is branded into the
memory. The ExtrasA beautifully packaged release with a separate plastic slip casing. The movie presentation is excellent, retaining the three-minute interlude that occurs 87 minutes into the picture. Added value is disappointing, although Ben Kingsley Talks About Gandhi is worth a watch, as the actor shares his reminiscences in a recent 19-minute talk prepared especially for the disc. The Photo Montage is five minutes of stills complemented by the score, while Words of Mahatma Gandhi offers a series of the great man's finest quotes as text and lasts two minutes. Original Newsreel Footage encompasses four different Pathé News films, although the most interesting is Gandhi Goes to England, which is recreated using Kingsley within the film itself. Filmographies focus on the director, writer and the biggest names in
the cast, the Trailer is in 2.35:1 but non anamorphic, and there's weblink to
the Official Gandhi Website. The Region 1 release lists Production Notes on the
sleeve, but
David Richardson |
Fighting injustice
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This is a simultaneous R1 / R2
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| from Ultimate DVD #22 | ||
| CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS | • Back to top | Rated: U |
The EpisodeForget the Mysterons. It was always Captain Scarlet vs
Thunderbirds. Thunderbirds wins hand down for breadth of vision
and warmth of character, but the appeal amongst older kids of this decidedly
dark show - about Martian zombies waging a war of nerves on Earth - cannot be
denied. Perfectly proportioned puppets are as stiff as the upper lips required
to deal with the off-world threat and the voices are magnificently humourless.
The usual future hardware and explosions
The ExtrasThe prints have been superbly cleaned, colour-corrected and transferred, the sound track remixed into a subtle 5.1 surround (albeit the trademark kettledrum motif now ricochets around the room). The original mono soundtrack is a welcome audio option. The fabulous Menus somehow make the series seem slicker than it really is. Each disc has the usual extras ranging from behind-the-scenes Stills (discs 4 and 5), Merchandise and Publicity (1,3,4) to fictional details of Spectrum personnel and vehicles (1,3). Pleasingly they have included all the TV21 Audio Adventures recorded in the Sixties (1,2,3,4). In addition, Gerry Anderson has recorded Commentaries for the first and last episodes. These are reasonably informative, border occasionally on the bizarre and are delivered with about as much expression visible on his puppets' faces. Anderson is much better speaking to an interviewer; and there is some
crossover with the hour-long Documentary (made especially for the bonus 6th
disc) which features newly shot footage of Captains Scarlet and Blue explaining
the premise of the series (using rather lengthy clips) while undertaking a
brand new adventure. Recreating their alter egos, voice artists Francis
Matthews and Ed Bishop join surviving crew members to describe a technically
complex but fondly
Mike Fillis |
Do not try to |
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| from Ultimate DVD #22 | ||
Reviews © Visual Imagination Ltd 2001. Not for reproduction
Spinotti's glossy, emotive cinematography.
Trailer
too.
these are not evident
on the disc itself.