Scarf Jack – The Complete Series (1981/VCI DVD)
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: D Episodes: C+
In another installment of a British genre (or at least
cycle) we could call think of as the “amusing rogue to root for” story, Scarf Jack (1981) has Captain Jack (Roy
Boyd of The Omen (1976) among his
many other character actor roles) aka Captain Midnight is to be lynched by his
pursuer Hunter Gowan (Bernard Kay of Doctor
Zhivago (1965) and They Came From
Beyond Space), but when a young boy named Francis (Keith Jayne of Glitterball and Robin Hood Jr.) steps in to help him, he may have a fighting chance
against the angry inquisitor.
This is made in six half-hour installments and is a
quality production considering its budget limits, but it also sports a
supporting cast including William Squire (Callan),
Robert Russell (Department S, The Avengers), Reginald Marsh (The Plane Makers), Jo Kendall (At Last The 1948 Show), Griffith Jones
(Strange Report) and Glyn Owen (The Capone Investment) so the talent is
here. Now you can see for yourself.
The 1.33
X 1 image has some detail and color limits from the PAL taping and there is
some 16mm film in parts. This is just
soft and older throughout, with the analog videotape flaws including video
noise, video banding, telecine flicker, tape scratching, PAL cross color, faded
color and tape damage. The Dolby Digital
2.0 Mono is also a few generations down and sounds aged. Be careful of playback levels and volume
switching. There are no extras.
- Nicholas Sheffo
