Murphy's War (1971) coming from Arrow

[whiteberry]

WORLD WAR TWO IS ENDING, WORLD WAR MURPHY HAS JUST BEGUN…

Iconic actor Peter O’Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, The Stunt Man) joins forces with director Peter Yates (Bullit, The Friends of Eddie Coyle) in this blisteringly acerbic, wildly entertaining film about the absurdity of war.

During the last days of WWII, the merchant ship ‘Mount Kyle’ is sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Venezuela and the sailors machine-gunned in the water. Only Murphy (O’Toole) survives, making his way to shore where he is nursed to health by Dr. Hayden (Sian Phillips), a pacifist Quaker who runs a missionary settlement near the mouth of the Orinoco River. When Murphy discovers that the U-boat is now hiding further up the river using the jungle for cover, he becomes obsessed with retribution and begins a one man war to sink the German U-boat, no matter the cost.

With a script by Stirling Silliphant (In the Heat of the Night, The Poseidon Adventure), cinematography by the legendary Douglas Slocombe (The Italian Job, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and a supporting cast that includes Philippe Noiret (La Grande Bouffe, Cinema Paradiso) and Horst Janson (Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter, Shout at the Devil), Murphy’s War is an underseen gem.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
- Original lossless mono audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Running Out of War, a new visual essay by film critic David Cairns
- A Great Adventure, an archive interview with assistant director John Glen
- Dougie, Chic and Me, and archive interview with focus puller Robin Vidgeon
- One Man Army, an archive interview with film critic Sheldon Hall
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critic Philip Kemp

Murphy's War (1971) Original Trailer [FHD] - YouTube

[snipemonkey]

Great movie! I already own the Region B Indicator release but it's well worth picking up for anyone who's US-only.

[MifuneFan]

Been interested in checking this one out. Pretty interesting cover art, I like it.

[DukeTogo84]

Never seen this one, and looks interesting enough. Will be picking it up.

[dressedtokill]

Indicator edition:

-Michael Deeley in Conversation: Conducted by Matthew Field, at BFI Southbank, London on 29 September 2008" audio track only (41:38)
- "Philippe Noiret on Murphy's War" 1971 interview extract from Bulleti d’information (5:59)
- "A Great Adventure: John Glen on Murphy's War" 2022 interview (31:08)
- "Dougie, Chic and Me: Focus Puller Robin Vidgeon on Murphy's War" 2022 interview (17:18)
- "One Man Army: Sheldon Hall on Murphy's War" 2022 interview (17:17)
- "Behind the Camera: Douglas Slocombe" 1999 featurette (12:46)
- Super 8 version (20:15)
- Alternative US Ending Credits (1:19)
- Textless Theatrical Trailer (3:20)
- Murphy's War Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (116 images)
- Comes with a 36-page liner notes booklet with a new essay by Julian Wheeler, a look at the production of the film, an archival interview with Peter O’Toole, an overview of contemporary critical responses and film credits.

Arrow:
- Running Out of War, a new visual essay by film critic David Cairns
- A Great Adventure, an archive interview with assistant director John Glen
- Dougie, Chic and Me, and archive interview with focus puller Robin Vidgeon
- One Man Army, an archive interview with film critic Sheldon Hall
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critic Philip Kemp

[spatafore]

Originally Posted by dressedtokill

Indicator edition:

-Michael Deeley in Conversation: Conducted by Matthew Field, at BFI Southbank, London on 29 September 2008" audio track only (41:38)
- "Philippe Noiret on Murphy's War" 1971 interview extract from Bulleti d’information (5:59)
- "A Great Adventure: John Glen on Murphy's War" 2022 interview (31:08)
- "Dougie, Chic and Me: Focus Puller Robin Vidgeon on Murphy's War" 2022 interview (17:18)
- "One Man Army: Sheldon Hall on Murphy's War" 2022 interview (17:17)
- "Behind the Camera: Douglas Slocombe" 1999 featurette (12:46)
- Super 8 version (20:15)
- Alternative US Ending Credits (1:19)
- Textless Theatrical Trailer (3:20)
- Murphy's War Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (116 images)
- Comes with a 36-page liner notes booklet with a new essay by Julian Wheeler, a look at the production of the film, an archival interview with Peter O’Toole, an overview of contemporary critical responses and film credits.

Arrow:
- Running Out of War, a new visual essay by film critic David Cairns
- A Great Adventure, an archive interview with assistant director John Glen
- Dougie, Chic and Me, and archive interview with focus puller Robin Vidgeon
- One Man Army, an archive interview with film critic Sheldon Hall
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critic Philip Kemp

Same transfer?

[dressedtokill]

Originally Posted by spatafore

Same transfer?

Yes

[latehong]

Originally Posted by spatafore

Same transfer?

Originally Posted by dressedtokill

Yes

DVD Beaver reports the color and framing of the Arrow release is quite different from the Indicator release.

Comparatively it seems like the Indicator is leaning green where the Arrow is blue-ish. There is also some movement in the frame with the Indicator, generally, showing a bit more information. In terms of colors balance, warmer flesh tones - I prefer the Arrow which is mostly brighter and more vibrant. The image presentation differences are quite surprising.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by latehong

DVD Beaver reports the color and framing of the Arrow release is quite different from the Indicator release.

Yep, totally different transfers. Arrow's looks newer... and bluer... that said, the colors do look generally more life-like and less yellow.

[Wtdk]

It looks quite good. Anyone else notice the hair in the gate during opening? Must have happened when they created the opening montage or during the transfer from the OCN to the inter positive. Otherwise, it looks terrific. The color timing is different.

[An4h0ny]

I just came here to say bravo to whomever designed that cover image.

I absolutely love it.