Rockers (1978/Reggae/Music Video Distributors Blu-ray)
Picture: B
Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: B-
Writer/director Theodorus Bafaloukos’ Reggae film Rockers (1978) is back and this time,
it is on Blu-ray in a very impressive playback upgrade from the DVD, which you
can read more about (along with the film), at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2380/Rockers+-+25th+Anniversary+Editon
The 1.85 X 1 image is now in 1080p digital High Definition
and on the DVD, the print’s poor condition was an issue, as was the transfer in
general and sadly the state of the element at the time. The new transfer is from the restored 35mm
negative and for the most part, the results are stunning. The only thing that holds this back from a
higher rating is that the darker and nighttime scenes (even when they have good
color, which they do) look too grainy and the definition suddenly drops very noticeably. However, color is still amazing throughout
and when the majority of the shots (which are in the day and happen with various
daylight sources) happen, the film is stunning.
Color, detail and depth surpass so many major films in Blu-ray, it is
not even funny. Along with The Harder They Come (see below) and
the James Bond film Live & Let Die
(1973, see the Blu-ray review elsewhere on this site), Rockers proves that Jamaica has some of the best outdoor shooting
you can possibly film.
If the night scenes were better, it would likely overtake
the Bond Blu-ray, but it is the daylight footage that is so amazing, that many
shots are actually of demonstration caliber for any serious system. Even the cover art cannot do justice to the
amazing performance this Blu-ray offers to the point that you will swear you
are watching a fine film print more often than not. Director of Photography Peter Sova moved on
to work for years with Barry Levinson, on episodes of The Equalizer and lately has lensed some Horror/Thriller films and recent
Sci-Fi actioner Push.
This remains one of the best works of his career, with a
few shots of homage to The Harder They
Come, yet also finding new aspects of Jamaica to show. I cannot say enough about how rich, accurate,
detailed and blur-free the best shots are, while the color is so great and
remains so throughout. Considering so
many limits in the production of the time, this is a first rate work visually
and a must-own Blu-ray for any serious collector.
The DVD had a DTS 5.1 mix, but this Blu-ray only has a
regular Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, that is about on par with the DTS because the
low-budget film was originally monophonic and a low-budget production. Despite the best restoration efforts, the
sound simply shows its age in either case, but is just fine. Of course, the dialogue and dialect are
richer here than in The Harder They Come
and you can make out what everyone is saying, but subtitles are included. The music is obviously a big highlight and
comes across well enough.
Unlike the DVD, the Blu-ray has none of the extras at all,
though the case has a paper foldout inside with a glossary of words and terms
from the film. That will disappoint some
fans, but the picture is such an improvement that if leaving extras off of the
disc is what it took, then so be it.
For more Reggae films restored, try this link to our
coverage of The Harder They Come
import DVD:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/8660/The+Harder+They+Come+(1972/Rest
- Nicholas Sheffo
