Crimson Tide (1995/Blu-ray/Shorter Theatrical Cut)
Picture: B+ Sound: A- Extras: C Film: B-
Crimson Tide (1995) remains one of Tony
Scott’s best films, pitting Denzel Washington against Gene Hackman in a
thriller that has Cold War roots, but has far surpassed its origins. You can read more about the film and its
longer cut on DVD at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3810/Crimson+Tide+(Unrated+Extended
Sadly,
this Blu-ray version is 8 minutes shorter and though it is watchable, once
you’ve seen the longer version with more of the supporting cast’s characters
realized, you know that is the version more people should see. Though this shorter cut was a hit, it has
hurt the film long term with many thinking it is the only version and the pop
culture references (penned without credit by Quentin Tarantino) gets tied
quickly.
The 1080p
2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image was shot in real anamorphic Panavision
by Dariusz Wolski, always looking terrible in previous DVD versions, but
finally getting its due here. Some shots
might still be a bit darker than they should be, but the film looks good
otherwise and is easily the best home video version to date. Bruckheimer Blu-rays are usually good, though
I wonder if the longer cut would look a bit better. Both should have been included.
Originally
a Dolby Digital-only theatrical release, the film was issued in the old 12”
LaserDisc format in a DTS-only version that offered a DTS 5.1 mix that trumped
the Dolby versions on all 12” Lasers and DVDs.
Though we do not get DTS here, Disney has supplied a PCM 16/48 5.1 mix
that is more than a match for the previous DTS edition and reminds us that this
is one of the best sound films of the 1990s.
You can compare to the lesser Dolby Digital 5.1 here, which is weak.
Extras
include an all access On The Set
piece, making of featurette and deleted scenes.
The lack of extras remain a sore point on this release as they have on
all previous versions of the film over the last ten years, but at least picture
playback is finally where it should be and has the sound to match.
- Nicholas Sheffo
