Runaway
Train (1985/Cannon/MGM/Twilight Time Limited Edition Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B Film: B
PLEASE
NOTE: This Blu-ray from our friends at Twilight Time, is
limited to 3,000 copies and is available exclusively at the links at
the end of this review.
Andrei
Konchalovsky's 1985 thriller Runaway Train finds its way onto
Blu-ray courtesy of the good folks at Twilight Time. I first saw
this in film school many years ago and have been clamoring for a high
definition release for years and boy was it worth the wait. Based on
an original story by the legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa (The
Seven Samurai), Jon Voight and Eric Roberts were both nominated
for Academy Awards for their amazing turns in this film, which would
have been much deserved. I think Tony Scott’s last film,
Unstoppable (reviewed elsewhere on this site and almost
released with the same title), has a debt to owe to this film (or
Speed for that matter, in that the vehicle is out of control
and its up to the passengers to stop it, though this was a staple of
some silent films back in the day) but this is definitely great
viewing for fans of high octane action.
Runaway
Train stars Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T.
Heffner, John P. Ryan T.K. Carter, and Kenneth McMillan.
Manny
(Voight) is the toughest convict in a cold and remote Alaskan prison
complex where the minimum sentence is 22 years and an idol amongst
the rough and tough prisoners. Along with fellow inmate Buck
(Roberts), the two breakout and jump abroad a freight train, thinking
they have made it. Soon, their plans for freedom and peace are put
on hold, when the train engineer dies of a heart attack and they find
themselves hurtling towards their death. The plot thickens when they
discover a third passenger, a beautiful railroad worker (De Mornay)
who aides the train with that is hopelessly speeding out of control
with nobody behind the wheel and no brakes to stop it.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1,
the film looks better than ever in high definition, capturing the
Rank Color (or Colour) and its slight darkness. You can actually see
the sweat on characters and the 35mm print looks rich and textured
throughout. The sound mix is a English 2.0 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio)
lossless Stereo (with Pro Logic surrounds) that brings out the
wonderful sound mix and makes the film sound fresh and new again.
This is a huge improvement over previous standard definition DVD
releases of the film.
Special
Features include...
Isolated
Score Track
Commentary
with Actor Eric Roberts, and Film Historians David Del Valle and C.
Courtney Joyner
Original
Theatrical Trailer
Insert
booklet with linear notes by Julie Kirgo and full color photographs
This
is a great film that has finally found a home in high definition.
To
order this limited
edition Blu-ray, buy it and other great exclusives while supplies
last at these links:
www.screenarchives.com
and
http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
