As the latest film in the Bond franchise, Quantum of Solace approaches its theatrical debut, Bond fans are in for a treat as six Bond classics are bring released for the first time on high definition Blu-ray Disc and they look and sound better than ever. Spanning the first 40 years, the films range from Dr. No, where Sean Connery set the bar high for Bond, to Pierce Brosnan's final turn as the debonair spy in Die Another Day. The films are available individually, in three-packs, or in this exclusive six pack on Amazon.com.
Although only six titles are being released on Blu-ray Disc this week (plus a Collector's Edition of the new Casino Royale remake from 2006), the first twenty films in the franchise were all recently painstakingly cleaned up and restored by Lowry Digital Images, each from the original camera negatives. The first nine films were all scanned in at a whopping 4K resolution, and the other eleven were re-mastered at full HD 1920x1080 resolution - a perfect fit for Blu-ray disc. While the 12 megapixel (4000x3000 pixel) mastering of the first nine films may seem like overkill, for 1080p high definition's 2 Megapixel image, the results speak for themselves.
Even the first film in the franchise, Dr. No, which was made on a fairly limited budget over 40 years ago and which has been subjected to the ravages of time with the normal fading and aging of the elements, looks and sounds terrific on Blu-ray Disc today. It may not quite be up to the quality of today's more modern equipment and editing techniques, but it's head and shoulders above anything we've seen of this film before in any of its home video releases. It may even be better than it was when it was originally released in theaters.
In addition to the visual restoration, the films have been given a sonic makeover as well, with each being remixed from the original audio tracks to 5.1-channel surround sound, delivered on Blu-ray Disc in DTS-HD Master Audio lossless surround. This adds a level of realism and immersion that simply wasn't possible in the early Bond films with their mono soundtracks. Of course, purists will be happy to hear that the original mono or stereo soundtracks are also available on each title.
Extras vary from title to title but are mostly the same supplements available on the recent DVD remasters released in 2006. Some of these include modern interviews with original cast and film-makers looking back on these classic films with nearly 40 years of perspective and insight.
Our crackerjack Blu-ray reviewers Chris Chiarella and Brandon DuHamel have explored these new Blu-ray Discs in fine detail. Here are their thoughts on each of the six films on Blu-ray. Click the title to view detailed reviews.
Dr. No (Chris Chiarella)
Overall Score:
Dr. No remains entertaining to watch at face value but also as a time capsule of action/adventure filmmaking, an unassuming popcorn flick that would have lasting impact on the cinematic landscape. The bonus features remain captivating, and the restored audio/video transition beautifully to high-definition.
From Russia with Love (Brandon A. DuHamel)
Overall Score:
Classic Bond all the way, for many the 007 franchise begins and ends with From Russia with Love. See Sean Connery in his finest performance as the secret agent right here on this splendidly rendered Blu-ray Disc release: you won't regret it.
Thunderball (Brandon A. DuHamel)
Overall Score:
Time and again in various polls and surveys Sean Connery is the man that people point to as the definitive James Bond. If that be the case, then Thunderball is arguably the film that defined the franchise for decades to come and is in many ways still the yardstick against which all other Bond films are measured. MGM has pulled no punches on this Blu-ray release, bringing out an absolutely stellar video presentation alongside a newly remixed 5.1 channel lossless soundtrack in addition to providing the original English monaural mix for authenticity. If you are a true 007 aficionado, or even a newcomer to the franchise, this film is a must-have edition to your Blu-ray collection.
Live and Let Die (Chris Chiarella)
Overall Score:
Live and Let Die introduced us to the first lasting successor to Sean Connery as James Bond, and Roger Moore's fast-paced romp is also a nostalgic throwback to the more carefree '70s. The restoration is squeaky-clean, the hip music further enlivens a fantastic soundtrack, and the trio of commentaries is a special gift to 007 fans.
For Your Eyes Only (Brandon A. DuHamel)
Overall Score:
Final Thoughts
After viewing both From Russia with Love and Thunderball before watching For Your Eyes Only,
I have to admit that Roger Moore's 007 comes across a bit silly.
Despite being an attempt to reboot the series and go back to basics, For Your Eyes Only still feels simply like an attempt at recapturing the magic of Sean Connery's Thunderball. Still, for fans of James Bond and, in particular, those who fall on the Roger Moore side of the 007 debate, For Your Eyes Only
is one of the stronger films in the Moore cannon of 007 films. This
Blu-ray Disc presentation from MGM offers a fittingly well done level
of quality and introspect through its various supplements making it a
must have edition to any Bond fan's collection.
Die Another Day (Chris Chiarella)
Overall Score:
Die Another Day, while a hit, failed to crack the Top Ten box office ranking for 2002, falling more than $50M behind even the silly Austin Powers in Goldmember which spoofed James Bond and his ilk. With the release of The Bourne Identity that same year, the tide was clearly turning toward grittier, more realistic spy thrillers, and so 007 would go on a 004-year hiatus. But for fans who like their James Bond turned up to 0011, this final installment from the original 20 is hard to beat, especially on Blu-ray.
Where to Buy:
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