Narrow Margin (1990/Madman DVD Region 4 PAL Import)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: B Film: B
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on
machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Four/4 PAL format
software and can be ordered from our friends at Madman Entertainment at the
website address provided at the end of the review. Cover image ©1990 STUDIO CANAL.
Easily
one of the best thrillers of the 1990s, Peter Hyams’ underrated remake of the
Film Noir classic Narrow Margin (1990)
as an outright action thriller with Gene Hackman and Anne Archer. A favorite of this website, we reviewed a
basic import DVD from Poland
a few years and one of my fellow writers had nothing but great things to say
about the film. You can read all about
the plot and his thoughts at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2655/Narrow+Margin+(DTS+Polish+Import)
As
compared to that version and the old U.S. Lionsgate/Artisan NTSC Region One DVD
we never reviewed, the anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image here is as good
as any of them with a clean print throughout that has its moments of color and
detail, but also has some shots that are not up to the anamorphic 35mm
Panavision shoot or film print. However,
this has richer image and color than the NTSC version and only minor detail
issues, some staircasing and a little motion blur hold this back.
The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Stereo has some Pro Logic type surrounds, but is not as rich as the
PCM tracks on the old 12” LaserDisc version were, nor is it as good as the DTS
on the Polish import, though I was not as big on that mix or that picture
either. Thanks to the extras here that
do not exist on the other previous editions we have seen, this will be the best
version on DVD and best until someone does a Blu-ray.
Those extras
include a fine feature-length audio commentary track by Hyams himself that is
exceptionally good, stills, the original theatrical trailer, a vintage
featurette and interview sound bites, all very much worth your time after
seeing the film.
As noted
above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Madman at:
https://www.madman.com.au/actions/channel.do?method=view
-
Nicholas Sheffo
