The Big Fix (1978), starring Richard Dreyfuss - March 19, 2019

[oildude]

The Big Fix (1978) will arrive on Blu-ray on March 19, 2019, from Twilight Time. This will be a limited edition of 3000 copies.

From IMDb....An ex-'60s radical now working as a private eye is hired by an old flame to investigate a political smear campaign. The case becomes more dangerous as it unfolds.

Directed by Jeremy Kagan (The Journey of Natty Gann, Big Man on Campus, Heroes, The Chosen, and many 1970s- 2000s television series)

Starring:

Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl, Mr. Holland's Opus, Inserts, What About Bob?)
Susan Anspach (Five Easy Pieces, Blume in Love, Play It Again, Sam)
Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard, Die Hard 2, They Shoot Horses Don't They?, Presumed Innocent, Heart Like A Wheel)

[Fred Sliman]

This is one of the best pieces of news in some time for me, in particular because I was 0 for 2 in the notorious Universal Vault DVD fiasco in which a cursory glance at the Amazon reviews suggest that 3/4 of the products were defective. After deciding to wait for a blu no matter how long, this gem will be most welcome.

[thecooldud]

I love how there's always these 70s movies with awesome casts popping up that I've never even heard of before, let alone seen.

[trevanian]

Originally Posted by thecooldud

I love how there's always these 70s movies with awesome casts popping up that I've never even heard of before, let alone seen.

It was a tiny little movie that I only caught on a double-bill reissue with something I've since forgotten about, but I've probably watched it a dozen times since. There's a moment very early on when he is watching archival imagery of the 60s that just works so damn well on me, it practically overshadows the rest of the movie. Also the first time I saw F. Murray in anything (this cast is really something else!)

I know it is a tired refrain, but is there any chance TWILIGHT can get hold of LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR or THE PARALLAX VIEW?

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by trevanian

It was a tiny little movie that I only caught on a double-bill reissue with something I've since forgotten about, but I've probably watched it a dozen times since. There's a moment very early on when he is watching archival imagery of the 60s that just works so damn well on me, it practically overshadows the rest of the movie. Also the first time I saw F. Murray in anything (this cast is really something else!)

I know it is a tired refrain, but is there any chance TWILIGHT can get hold of LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR or THE PARALLAX VIEW?

Both of those titles are owned by Paramount. Twilight Time doesn't have a deal with Paramount and the labels that do have been limited to titles that they themselves haven't released on DVD, so that would exclude Parallax View. Looking For Mr. Goodbar has music rights issues that Twilight Time wouldn't have the resources to overcome.

So, in short, there is very little chance of seeing these titles at all, let alone from Twilight Time.

[trevanian]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Both of those titles are owned by Paramount. Twilight Time doesn't have a deal with Paramount and the labels that do have been limited to titles that they themselves haven't released on DVD, so that would exclude Parallax View. Looking For Mr. Goodbar has music rights issues that Twilight Time wouldn't have the resources to overcome.

So, in short, there is very little chance of seeing these titles at all, let alone from Twilight Time.

Thanks for the details. Bummed, but unsurprised.

[Wtdk]

This appears to be an older transfer to me and grain management is inconsistent. Doesn't look like much was really done for the film. There's an occasional bit of speckling. It isn't a bad transfer.

The lack of special features is disappointing. Dreyfus acted as a producer on this after the success of "CE3K", "Jaws" and other films and I'm sure he could easily have provided an interview if contacted. This doesn't even have subtitles. A disappointing set to be sure and it could have been improved but we also could have gotten nothing.

[Aclea]

Apparently Twilight time did reach out for a commentary but no-one was interested (and, it has to be said, Dreyfuss' memory has become notoriously hazy in recent years). It would have been interesting to hear author Roger L. Simon's views on his love letter to faded Sixties idealism now his politics have radically shifted from left to right, though.

I thought the transfer was generally pretty decent for a title that only got an MOD DVD-R release: it's not a showcase disc, but it is a huge improvement on the DVD-R (there's a pleasing amount of depth and detail in some places, less in others), and for a film that pretty much dropped out of distribution for a couple of decades that's more than I was expecting.

[PowellPressburger]

Watched this one for the first time.

Really nice cast of characters throughout the film even to the smallest parts.

At times felt like some scenes were missing, or edited. Almost like things happened but not 100% sure why...

But i loved the tone of the film, was nice to finally see it.

For sure dated Universal master, but still glad to have it.

[trevanian]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Watched this one for the first time.

Really nice cast of characters throughout the film even to the smallest parts.

At times felt like some scenes were missing, or edited. Almost like things happened but not 100% sure why...

Yeah, I've always thought Bonnie Bedelia's part seems way too tiny for her talent, but THE BIG FIX is sure not the only picture (or film series for that matter) to underutilize her.

The thing that I remember feeling very haphazard -- and this may have been deliberate, given where and when the film takes place -- is the part leading up to Moses finding the guy is up on the roof. I remember there are some aerial views of the city and some music building tension, but that it kind of plays out in an off-kilter way. Sort of like the opposite of the way the music and camera moves and everything else builds into Eastwood spotting Malkovich just before the assassination IN THE LIFE OF FIRE. Maybe the screwed up quality is part of its appeal. Plus Dreyfuss in his cocaine phase usually delivered good scenes even in bad movies, like the part of THE BUDDY SYSTEM where the budding novelist goes to the beach, sets down his huge godawful bad manuscript and then watches the wind blow it away.

Will probably wind up ordering the new FIX soon, now that I'm thinking about it.

[Chris-22]

I have the DVD-R from Universal and it was fun seeing the movie again, even if the DVD picture quality isn't that great. There are a few times when Dreyfuss' acting seems a bit forced, but he looks like he's having a good time throughout.

From what's been said here, it sounds like Twilight Time's BD is made from the same source. That's a shame, but you make do with what you can get. Twilight Time has made good BDs before, and I'm sure they did the best they could with this one.

One alteration for video that bugs me is the song that's played as Moses is walking up to Lila's apartment. Originally it was "I Want to Be Seduced" sung by Leon Redbone. It's a fun song and I remember Dreyfuss singing the song on SNL shortly after this movie was released back in '78 (it's also on one of Redbone's albums from the 80s). On the DVD-R and, apparently, the VHS that came before it, the song was replaced, probably having to do with rights for home video. I don't know if the Twilight Time BD has the song restored. It's a small thing that doesn't hurt the story, but it's best when original soundtracks are used.

[DarthEd]

Has anyone checked out either the new (2021) Indicator (UK) Region B release or the French Region A/B/C 2019 release of this film?

I'm wondering if the Indicator release is a new transfer?

And how does the French release compare to either the Twilight Time or Indicator releases?

Thanks!

[LennonKolpin1975]

Originally Posted by DarthEd

Has anyone checked out either the new (2021) Indicator (UK) Region B release or the French Region A/B/C 2019 release of this film?

I'm wondering if the Indicator release is a new transfer?

And how does the French release compare to either the Twilight Time or Indicator releases?

Thanks!

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDRev...ix_blu-ray.htm

[judacia1978]

The Indicator release should have been A/B/C. They missed a great opportunity.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by judacia1978

The Indicator release should have been A/B/C. They missed a great opportunity.

They would if they could. They are bound by the studio’s contracts.

[Brandon K]

I missed the Twilight Time release and was thinking of picking up the Indicator release... In the comparison screenshots on DVD Beaver, they hail the Indicator release as superior in terms of color and contrast, but to me, it looks awfully dark. I agree that the color temperature on the Indicator release looks better, but I feel like detail is probably being lost in the contrast. Can anyone else weigh in?

[tehthomas]

Originally Posted by Brandon K

I missed the Twilight Time release and was thinking of picking up the Indicator release... In the comparison screenshots on DVD Beaver, they hail the Indicator release as superior in terms of color and contrast, but to me, it looks awfully dark. I agree that the color temperature on the Indicator release looks better, but I feel like detail is probably being lost in the contrast. Can anyone else weigh in?

I just re-watched my TT blu last night and one thing to note is that the TT doesn't have subs and this movie would def benefit from that. As for PQ, I think the TT looks great and I'm pretty sure you can snag it on eBay for a decent price.