This “Miramax Multi-Feature” set from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment packages together one good movie, a decent making-of documentary and two bad sequels. While all four features are on one disc, I thought each didn’t look too bad, though something like Full Tilt Boogie was not made for high-def and it shows.
From Dusk Till Dawn Series (1996-99)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy
Echo Bridge | R – 390 min. – $29.99 | November 29, 2011
MOVIE INFO (FROM DUSK TILL DAWN):
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Writer(s): Robert Kurtzman (story), Quentin Tarantino (screenplay)
Cast: Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek
MOVIE INFO (FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 2 – TEXAS BLOOD MONEY):
Directed by: Scott Spiegel
Writer(s): Scott Spiegel & Boaz Yakin (story), Scott Spiegel & Duane Whitaker (screenplay)
Cast: Robert Patrick, Bo Hopkins, Duane Whitaker, Muse Watson, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
MOVIE INFO (FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3 – THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER):
Directed by: P.J. Pesce
Writer(s): Alvaro Rodriguez & Robert Rodriguez (story), Alvaro Rodriguez (screenplay)
Cast: Marco Leonardi, Michael Parks, Rebecca Gayheart, Ara Celi, Orlando Jones
MOVIE INFO (FULL TILT BOOGIE):
Directed by: Sarah Kelly
Cast: George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino
DISC INFO:
Features: None
Number of Discs: 1
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) – From Dusk Till Dawn and From Dusk Till Dawn 3; English (DTS-HD MA 2.0) – From Dusk Till Dawn 2 and Full Tilt Boogie
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.78/1.85
Subtitles: None
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A
THE MOVIE – 3.0/5
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) — 4.0/5
After kidnapping a family, the Gecko Brothers (GEORGE CLOONEY, QUENTIN TARANTINO) head south to a seedy Mexican bar to hide out in safety. But when they face the bar’s notorious clientele, they’re forced to team up with their hostages in order to make it out alive.
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1998) — 2.0/5
A bank-robbing gang of misfits heads to Mexico with the blueprints for the perfect million-dollar heist. But when one of the crooks wanders into the wrong bar, and crosses the wrong vampire, the thieving cohorts develop a thirst for blood to match their hunger for money.
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter (1999) — 2.5/5
Johnny Madrid (MARCO LEONARDI) is on the run from the hangman… with the hangman’s daughter Esmeralda (ARA CELI) by his side. Along with Madrid’s gang, Johnny and Esmeralda embark on an adventure that leads them straight into the fight of their lives.
Full Tilt Boogie (1997) — 3.25/5
Go behind the scenes of the Robert Rodriguez cult classic, From Dusk Till Dawn, with this brilliant documentary. See just what it’s like to be on set with stars Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, Harvey Keitel and Juliette Lewis as they bring their characters to life on the big screen. Through exclusive interviews, delve into every aspect of the film-making process—from the role crew members play to the unpredictable setbacks they encounter and witness the magic that is From Dusk Till Dawn.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 0/5
The disc only has a menu to select a movie. The film will start playing during which you can use the pop-up button to get to the chapter menu or go to another movie. Otherwise, there are no features for any of the movies.
VIDEO – 2.25/5
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) — 3.5/5
The film is presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and 1080p high-definition. This is probably the same high-def transfer as original released in the single Blu-ray and “Miramax Double Feature” release (along the sequel). No doubt, this isn’t a fantastic looking transfer as I did notice some signs of pixilation but on the whole, the close-up shots are well detailed and the black levels also look decent.
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1998) — 2.0/5
This one comes to Blu-ray with a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio and while I could hardly call the 1080p high-def as a good release, I guess it doesn’t look awful. Like the previous film, this transfer probably was culled from the “Miramax Double Feature” release. Colors are fairly muddled (though that’s probably how it was shot) and the detail level isn’t there where most scenes a soft looking. Since I don’t have the DVD to compare it to, I can’t say if it’s better, but I have to assume it’s a slight upgrade for the few fans of this movie.
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter (1999) — 2.0/5
The second sequel looks about on par with FDTD #2 with a 1.78 aspect ratio and 1080p HD transfer. The video this time around, you get much warmer color array given this is a western. I wasn’t very impressed with the detail levels both as it comes across as soft and not very well defined. Again, this was released separately and no doubt this is the same transfer.
Full Tilt Boogie (1997) — 1.0/5
This documentary was never meant for high-definition as there is no detail in the shot footage, looking very muddy throughout. Black levels expose any artifacting or pixilation so this most definitely a poor looking transfer. That being said, one complaint for the original release of the first film was this was not included, so now fans have it on the same disc.
AUDIO – 2.5/5
From Dusk Till Dawn (3.5/5) and From Dusk Till Dawn 3 (3.0/5) have been both given DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless tracks and they’re mostly easy on the ears if not a bit underwhelming (especially for #3). The dialogue levels sounds good and action sequences, while not having a whole lot of depth, give off a decent home theater experience.
Meanwhile, From Dusk Till Dawn 2 (2.25/5) and Full Tilt Boogie (1.5/5) have a DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo tracks. Neither one are particularly special, especially FTB, but I suppose they’re adequate if not downright average. Most of the audio comes from the front channels so it’s all fairly flat be it dialogue or action-filled scenes.
OVERALL – 2.0/5
Overall, this “Miramax Multi-Feature” set from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment packages together one good movie, a decent making-of documentary and two bad sequels. While all four features are on one disc, I thought each didn’t look too bad, though something like Full Tilt Boogie was not made for high-def and it shows. In any case, if you don’t already own From Dusk Till Dawn then this might be worth picking up for $10 or less, otherwise skip this release.
The Movieman
Published: 11/16/2011