James Bond Story/James Bond Gadgets DVD Set (Umbrella PAL Region 4/Four Import)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: D Main Programs: B
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on
machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region 4 PAL format
software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment at the
website address provided at the end of the review.
In our massive coverage on James Bond, we like to cover
everything we can get out hands on.
Besides being one of the only sites worldwide to cover the entire series
on DVD in their new restored sets, we are covering all the Blu-ray releases and
you can start on all that with this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7716/James+Bond+Blu-ray+Wave+One:+Dr
Now we get to offer our readers something special in the
form of a double DVD import. From
Umbrella Entertainment in Australia, they have issued two programs on Bond, one
of which has never been issued in the United States. First is The
James Bond Story, made around the time of The World Is Not Enough and to take advantage of the DVD market
while pushing the entire series. It is
presented at 1.33 X 1 with some letterboxed footage here and there, but that
footage looks dated since the series was fixed up. It also runs just under an hour, but is a
basic crash course for those unfamiliar with the series.
Even better and longer, but in several configurations is James Bond Gadgets, compiling an
extensive examination (94 minutes total) that was made for The History
Channel/A&E Networks and apparently has never been issued by A&E Home
Video. It is very entertaining,
thorough, detailed, a must for all Bond and movie fans, plus has rare footage
not even on the MGM DVD sets. It covers
everything from hand-held gadgets to cars, to special one-of-a-kind vehicles
and even goes to a special show where many of the rare actual vehicles have
been collected and are on display with great artwork and the whole thing is
constantly entertaining. We even see
some of the classic vehicles being saved and restored.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is pretty good
here with only minor detail issues and was likely shot in HD, though vintage
clips vary from film to analog video. It
does look better than the other program, but not by much, though its color
quality and consistency is a plus. The
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo on both is not bad, though Gadgets has better overall fidelity; it is again not enough to
totally rate higher.
Only Gadgets has an extra and it is a terrific one. It is 25 minutes of interview footage with
the late great Bond producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and his wife Dana
Broccoli, shot in black and white videotape footage from the time they were
promoting Moonraker. It is a rarer interview than you’d imagine,
with Cubby concerned and overwhelmed by how much money they had spent on the
film, just released at the time. It was
$33 Million, versus the previous record $13 Million he spent on the previous
film, The Spy Who Loved Me, but he
was trying to compete with Star Wars
and that casts money.
At the time, it was just starting to make money and be a
hit. Later, it turned out to be the
biggest Bond ever, remains Roger Moore’s biggest outing, made twice the budget
in the U.S. alone, was a huge hit worldwide and along with its huge licensing
program did make its money back. It
would be a long time before they spent that kind of money again.
As noted above, you can order this PAL Region 4/Four DVD import
set exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
- Nicholas Sheffo
