An Audience With Peter Ustinov (1988/Region Free/Zero/0/PAL Import/Madman DVD)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: C+     Main Program: B

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Free/0/Zero PAL format software and can be ordered from our friends at Madman Entertainment at the website address provided at the end of the review.

 

 

Peter Ustinov was one of the most important actors around for about 60 years.  From his early work in One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing and Quo Vadis, to Lola Montes, Spartacus, Topkapi, his hilarious turn as the old man in Logan’s Run and underrated work as Hercule Poirot in films like Evil Under The Sun, he was a survival and serious multi-talent.  This meant some great stories to tell and An Audience With Peter Ustinov (1988) is an example of how well spoken he was.

 

At 50 minutes length, he tells some great stories and not always in politically correct ways.  A fun twist is that there are some serious name talents in the audience, many of whom ask him questions, so be on the lookout for Joanna Lumley, Petula Clark, Twiggy, Clive James, John Cleese, Roy Kinnear and Barry Norman.  It is a fine program that deserves a DVD release and if you like real talent telling stories, you should catch this one.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image is shot on low def PAL video and shows its age, but color is still good, even when the definition is not.  Also expect some aliasing errors.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is also fine for its age, but can be compressed throughout and in a few places, hard to hear.  Extras include two more Ustinov interviews: a 1981 piece from The Don Lane Show and 1990 piece from The Midday Show.

 

 

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