Moonfleet (1955)

[Darth Marcus]

Moonfleet (1955)

MOONFLEET (1955) New 2019 1080p HD Master: https://www.wbshop.com/products/moonfleet-bd

Fritz Lang brings his remarkable gifts for scope and spectacle to this epic swashbuckler that teams plucky young orphan John Mohune (Jon Whiteley) up with the honorable, if piratical rogue Jeremy Fox (Stewart Granger) in a wild quest for diamonds. Catacombs, double-crosses, dead-men telling tales and more, all lie in wait for the unlikely pair of adventurers in this action/adventure classic that looks sea-swept fresh thanks to this simply sumptuous new 1080p HD transfer for deep blue sea Blu-ray Disc that highlights Lang and cinematographer Robert Plank's lush visuals and Miklos Rozsa's soaring score. Co-starring George Sanders, Viveca Lindfors, Joan Greenwood and Jack Elam. Includes Original Theatrical Trailer (HD) 16x9 Letterbox

[Randy Miller III]

Thanks for making a new thread. Review has been posted if you haven't seen it yet.

Moonfleet Blu-ray

[ArnoldLayne56]

Appreciate the review!
Based solely on that, I'll watch for it on future 4/ $44 sales!

[Robert Siegel]

I am looking forward to this one, nothing like a 2:55:1 Cinemascope stereo film with a great remaster. But I am confused by a statement in Randy's review, where he says, "Although Moonfleet's source audio could have likely been outfitted for a 4.0 or even 5.1 remix with few compromises, I respect Warner Archive's continued decision to maintain its original format as they also did on their 2010 DVD edition."

In those days, these Cinemascope movies were either 3.0 or 4.0 stereo, they never had any matrixed magnetic stereo tracks.This disc supposedly has a DTS HD 2.0 track, and his first line in the review (on the sound) says, "Moonfleet's original four-track Stereo source mix lends itself to unsurprisingly great audio on this DTS-HD 2.0 MA mix."

He then goes on to say, "Although Moonfleet's source audio could have likely been outfitted for a 4.0 or even 5.1 remix with few compromises, I respect Warner Archive's continued decision to maintain its original format as they also did on their 2010 DVD edition."

Kind of a contradiction, it should read that Warner should have provided the original 4.0 stereo mix. With a matrixed surround (2.0), there is always at least some front channel information leaking into the surrounds, which is why I am always pleased to see a 4.0 track on these titles, such as Fox does most of the time on its Cinemascope blu-rays.

By the way, The review on Nixpix says, "The 5.1 DTS audio resurrects vintage 4-track ‘scope’ stereo and shows off Miklós Rózsa’s score to its best advantage."

So Randy, if you are reading this, is this a misprint on the cover and actually has a 4.0 or 5.1, or is this 2.0 audio?

[Randy Miller III]

Originally Posted by Robert Siegel

So Randy, if you are reading this, is this a misprint on the cover and actually has a 4.0 or 5.1, or is this 2.0 audio?

No, it is indeed a 2.0 audio mix that provides something of a simulated surround experience without using rear channels discretely. I'd probably compare to a Dolby 2.0 Surround track, if that makes sense.

[James Luckard]

Wow, I just bought this as I work my way through Lang's lesser-known films, and I was AMAZED.

I found it to be an almost perfect mix of adventure, humor and genuine heart. The emotion is amplified enormously by Miklos Rozsa's stunning score, but I was also really impressed by all of the performances.

This is a witty, clever script, beautifully directed by Lang. It reminds me a lot of another utterly forgotten period adventure that also starred George Sanders, A Scandal in Paris, which I also thoroughly enjoyed as I did my Douglas Sirk deep dive about two years ago.

I'll grant that ti does feel a bit choppy, a few narrative lines feel underdeveloped, as if they're remnants of larger elements, but I still found it thoroughly engrossing.

Among all of Lang's American films that I've seen so far, I'd say this is possibly tied with The Big Heat as my favorite.

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Wow, I just bought this as I work my way through Lang's lesser-known films, and I was AMAZED.

I found it to be an almost perfect mix of adventure, humor and genuine heart. The emotion is amplified enormously by Miklos Rozsa's stunning score, but I was also really impressed by all of the performances.

This is a witty, clever script, beautifully directed by Lang. It reminds me a lot of another utterly forgotten period adventure that also starred George Sanders, A Scandal in Paris, which I also thoroughly enjoyed as I did my Douglas Sirk deep dive about two years ago.

I'll grant that ti does feel a bit choppy, a few narrative lines feel underdeveloped, as if they're remnants of larger elements, but I still found it thoroughly engrossing.

Among all of Lang's American films that I've seen so far, I'd say this is possibly tied with The Big Heat as my favorite.

This review has moved up my timeline to watch this. I am very director-centric in my collection and have 27 Lang blu's up to this point. Most being blind buys, including this one. I have watched about half so far and have yet to be disappointed. Some are better than others, of course, but even when Lang was off his game, he still could deliver.

[Matt89]

I've seen so many mixed reviews for Moonfleet and that's kept it from being high on my watchlist, but now I'm definitely more interested in checking it out.

~Matt

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Matt89

I've seen so many mixed reviews for Moonfleet and that's kept it from being high on my watchlist, but now I'm definitely more interested in checking it out.

~Matt

I can see why it got mixed reviews, it's a "feathered fish," an adventure movie with a child protagonist, but with a grown up soul. It has a dark, realistic tone for the most part, and is filled with bitter, almost nihilistic humor at times, yet it also has a romantic sweep and genuine heart. It's not really for a mass audience, I guess, though it does feel a bit like a good Dickens film in its tone.

I couldn't have loved it more, I was genuinely moved and laughed out loud a number of times at the clever narrative elements.

I recommend it.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Some are better than others, of course, but even when Lang was off his game, he still could deliver.

Yup. Even middle of the road films like "Human Desire" and "Cloak and Dagger" are still worthwhile.