Kidnapped Network Restoration Blu-Ray

[Bourne1886]

Released today:-

Kidnapped On U.K Blu-ray by network restoration starring Michael Caine.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kidnapped-B.../dp/B08QLGGX6W


Comes in a clear Blu-ray box which is only 11mm thick, not common for the U.K.

Inside it comes with a little four sided leaflet which has poster art on the front in black and white with red writing and synopsis and from novel to film notes inside. There’s also cast and crew info.

The inside cover has artwork with three mini posters, Special Features Info and restoration notes;-

‘Kidnapped has been newly scanned to 2k resolution from a 35mm interpositive and restored in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1. The restoration involved both automated and manual removal of film dirt and damage and correction of major instability,warping and density fluctuations.’

The disc has the cover art on it.
Upon placing the disc in and loading it plays two very dated original trailers automatically for The Man in the Iron Mask starring Richard Chamberlin and The Count of Monte Cristo also starring Richard Chamberlin. Run time altogether 5 mins.

Disc menu states there is an Original Theatrical Trailer, Production Featurette which is just over 6 mins long, an interview called A Tale and a half: 2020 with Vivien Heilbron about 30 mins, Archival Michael Caine Interviews about a 1 hour and 10 mins in length, a 5 minutes photo gallery and an option to have subs on and off.

Stereo soundtrack in English. Plays automatically. When the film starts it even has the original certificate of U before the first scenes.

Even though this is a 2k scan it looks rather dated. Yes it’s better than the old dvd and looks like HD but don’t expect it to be pin sharp. It’s obvious it’s had lots of work done on the transfer but it still has a few issues.

Detail is adequate for the most part (although it struggles with fine detail) as are the colours. It’s a mostly clear and clean picture but occasionally still has the odd bit of dirt and speckles pop up from time to time. Sometimes it looks quite flat and depth isn’t great. There are a few problematic scenes for example at the 5 minute mark when the woman come to find the men folk who have died at Culloden. The top half of the picture looks brighter than the bottom half which looks dark and has density, fluctuation and flickering issues. The bottom of the screen looks weird. Luckily it’s not for long. The first half of the film looked ever so slightly dull at times even in daylight and not very bright or vivid but the 2nd half faired slightly better in daylight scenes. The good news is there is grain and I didn’t see any of that dreadful DNR! So from that point of view it looks like film and not some digital mess.

Overall it’s looks okay and more than watchable but probably no more than a 3/3.5 out of 5. I was hoping it would a bit more impressive to be honest.

Still it’s good to get this in the U.K on Blu-ray and network have done a pretty good job overall with the whole package.

[Bourne1886]

I’ve actually changed my mind about the picture quality. For some reason the contrast was set too low. I didn’t realise. I thought I had it on 95 but it was down to 45 for some reason. I only realised this after watching another film. Anyway it looks a lot more natural and the dullness has gone. There’s more depth to the picture and colours look like they’ve more life to them now.

It looks like a 2k restoration now rather than a dated transfer. There’s still a nice amount of grain to give it that film like appearance and no DNR. It still has the few anomalies that I mentioned and as I said fine detail could be better. I’m much happier now and judged it wrongly. I’m revising my score to 4 for picture quality. I forgot to mention the sound. The dialogue is clear but when music comes on it sounds a bit harsh and tinny. No hiss or cracks or anything like that. I think a 3 is fair. I watched the trailer straight after and that looks rough in comparison.

Sorry about that.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Does the Network/StudioCanal restoration have the British Lion logo after the BBFC U card? There was a US Blu by Kino Lorber in 2019 using a 2k restoration from MGM's elements, and I think that one opened with a American International Pictures card.

[Aclea]

Despite the IMDB distributor listing, it wasn't British Lion: Rank distributed it in the UK.

The UK credits didn't credit James Franciscus as co-producer, though he is credited on the AIP credits.