Although the disc is pretty light on features – damn near empty, in fact – the fact that Deathtrap finally gets a proper widescreen release is good news for any fan, especially those in North America.
Deathtrap (1982)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Crime, Suspense, Comedy
Warner Archive | PG – 116 min. – $19.95 | November 20, 2012
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Writer(s): Ira Levin (stage play); Jay Presson Allen (screenplay)
Cast: Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon
Theatrical Release Date: March 19, 1982
DISC INFO:
Features: Trailer
Number of Discs: 1
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.77
Subtitles: English SDH
Disc Size: 22.3 GB
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A, B, C (unconfirmed)
THE MOVIE – 3.75/5
Plot Outline: If you were a fame mystery playwright with a devastating string of recent flops, what would you do for a can’t-miss thriller script? That’s the question that Sidney Bruhl (MICHAEL CAINE) contemplates when he receives a play from one-time student Clifford Anderson (CHRISTOPHER REEVE), one so flawless that “even a gifted director couldn’t ruin it”. Bruhl takes into serious consideration in killing Anderson and taking credit for the play though oddly Bruhl’s wife, Myra (DYAN CANNON), strangely goes along with the plan, albeit with hesitance. But not everything is at it seems and Bruhl has more in store the night he invites Anderson over for a consultation.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 0.5/5
The disc only has the theatrical trailer.
VIDEO – 3.75/5
Through Warner’s Archive Collection line, Deathtrap arrives on Blu-ray presented with a 1.77 widescreen aspect ratio and 1080p high-definition. It should be noted that up to this point, in the United States, this movie was only available on reportedly poor DVD in 1.33 full frame ratio. Here, while the picture isn’t exactly striking and shows a fair amount of pixilation during a couple of darker scenes, while others are pitch black, the detail levels are impressive and color tones seem to be well balanced.
AUDIO – 2.5/5
Given the film’s age, and no doubt limited resources, the disc has been given an adequate DTS-HD MA Mono track so all the action and dialogue comes from the center channel. Things can top out at times but everything is understandable and allows for an OK track, just nothing noteworthy.
OVERALL – 3.0/5
Overall, although the disc is pretty light on features – damn near empty, in fact – the fact that Deathtrap finally gets a proper widescreen release is good news for any fan, especially those in North America. The video transfer isn’t the best but still somewhat impressive in many aspects and the mono audio track is adequate and nothing more. For those who have not seen the movie, now is the chance to do so as it’s well worth checking out if not to see two great performances from Caine and Reeve.
Published: 12/01/2012