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by Jox on 18 Sep 2024, 23:46
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• NEW! Introduction by Director Perry Lang
• Featurette: "An Unsafe Place: Making Men of War" (HD, 12:48)
• Raw Footage / Dailies of Select Scenes from “Men of War” (SD, 09:45)
• Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 01:47)
• 2-Sided Artwork
• Collectible Mini-Poster
• Limited Edition Slipcover (first pressing only)
by Moltisanti on 19 Sep 2024, 04:30
by Jox on 19 Sep 2024, 08:43
by Dida on 19 Sep 2024, 15:10
by Jox on 19 Sep 2024, 16:57
by Jox on 20 Sep 2024, 09:50
by Jox on 25 Nov 2024, 17:57
by Jox on 28 Nov 2024, 11:20
by Krom on 29 Nov 2024, 17:31
by Dida on 02 Dec 2024, 13:31
by Jox on 02 Dec 2024, 13:42
by Jox on 04 Dec 2024, 10:54
The Transfer
The transfer is a beautifully imperfect perfect picture. There’s something to the image that appears to be remastered but not restored that gives the film an added oomph. Men of War on Blu-ray feels and looks like it’s been transferred from a well-loved, often screened but impeccable kept 35mm print. There are slight imperfections, flecks of dirt … that work FOR THE FILM. It gives that midnight movie feel to the entire film. The image retains the sharpness and clarity one expects but the look with those added imperfections, again I’ll say this to be clear, adds to the film’s charms and that loving 35mm print look.
The Extras
Introduction by Director Perry Lang (0:36) – an all-too-brief introduction to the film and the location where they filmed.
An Unsafe Place: Making Men of War (12:53) – this archival making-of featurette is quite comprehensive at only 13 minutes hosted by Lundgren collaborator Jeremie Damoiseau. It covers the inception – work of John Sayles; the preproduction – attaching Lundgren, changes made by the producers to the script, the director that almost made the picture; production in Thailand – shooting in real 35mm Anamorphic, the difficulty with getting to the locations and the trouble that held for the production, a few anecdotes from the production and just how dangerous the shoot was; and release of the film – how Miramax (as per usual) botched the release after buying from Sony; and more.
Raw Footage / Dailies of Select Scenes (9:44) – pulled from a VHS dub of dailies this consists of various pieces of raw footage from the Opening Scene; hiring the crew; the bazooka distance scene; the fight at the club; the final showdown. Each of the scenes that are covered features some alternate shots and moments. Unfortunately, this does not have any of the production sound and plays with the score from the film.
Photo Gallery (7:36) – the gallery consists of 91 production stills, poster art, and behind-the-scenes photographs that run automatically with the score from the film. The gallery can be paused but unfortunately does not have navigation features.
Theatrical Trailer (1:47)
The Final Thought
Men of War is a true cinematic surprise, though armed with a Sayles script, it should not shock any cineaste. Highest possible recommendations!!!
by Jox on 06 Dec 2024, 20:24
The Video 2.35:1 anamorphic. You’ll see Dolph sweating in the jungle. The Audio is LPCM 2.0 Stereo. There’s also a 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix. There’s also a Spanish LPCM 2.0 dub. The explosions are at the right volume. The subtitles are in English and Spanish.
Introduction by Director Perry Lang (0:36) has him point out the fishing village in Thailand is now a major tourist attraction.
An Unsafe Place: Making Men of War (12:53) is a vintage featurette. Film Scholar Jeremie Damoiseau places it as the best of Dolph’s films since so much is top notch including John Sayles’ script. He explains how the project happened. The script turned from a single character to a buddy flick to a mercenary group. He brings up how the end duel was changed so watch this after the movie. The film went straight to video in the US even though Miramax promised it would get a theatrical release.
Raw Footage / Dailies of Select Scenes from “Men of War” (9:44) has Dolph in Chicago, the chess game with the Colonel, fights in the jungle and more. There’s no sound to the shots.
Photo Gallery (7:36) includes press photos, behind the scenes shots, lobby cards, posters, newspaper ads from around the world. We also see the original cover from when it was John Sayles’ script. There’s even the ad from when they sold the VHS cassette to rental stores.
Theatrical Trailer (1:47) shows how Dolph ends up on the island.
Collectible Mini-Poster is suitable for framing. You can be part of the Dolph revival.
Limited Edition Slipcover is only available for the first pressing.
The script turned from a single character to a buddy flick to a mercenary group.
by Jox on 09 Dec 2024, 20:20
by Jox on 10 Dec 2024, 20:16
Video Quality 4.0 of 5
Men of War is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of MVD Visual's MVD Rewind Collection imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. As usual with these MVD Rewind Collections, there's not much if any technical information included, but this is a surprisingly healthy looking presentation for a film that looks like it only has had a "double feature" release in Region A courtesy of bargain bin purveyors Echo Bridge Entertainment, so I am kind of assuming by default that this probably looks a good deal better than that older release, though I've admittedly never seen it. (Rather interestingly, if you look at the international releases listed on the site, Men of War has been rather well represented in 1080 across the globe.) The palette is generally very nicely suffused and natural looking throughout, though there are some momentary downgrades in the last section in particular, where some of the island material can look a little rough with a slight downgrade in suffusion and clarity. Detail levels are commendable for the most part, especially in close-ups where some of the fine detail on things like one character's gruesome facial injuries is quite gory looking. Grain can be heavy but has no real resolution issues.
Audio Quality 4.0 of 5
Men of War actually defaults to the LPCM 2.0 track, which may indicate an acknowledgement that the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 option tends to open things up kind of fitfully, though there is some clear and enjoyable engagement of the side and rear channels in the many outdoor moments in terms of ambient environmental effects. The surround track probably also has a bit more punch in the midrange and low end, which can become more noticeable during some of the action sequences. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.
Special Features and Extras 4.0 of 5
Introduction by Director Perry Lang (HD; 00;36) is accessible either as a standalone supplement or under the Play Menu, where it's authored to lead directly to the main feature.
An Unsafe Place: Making Men of War (HD; 12:53) offers thoughts by Lundgren collaborator Jeremie Damoiseau.
Raw Footage / Dailies of Select Scenes (SD; 9:44) have timecode captions.
Photo Gallery (HD; 7:36)
Trailer (SD; 1:47)
The keepcase insert features an inner print of Lundgren in close-up. A folded collectible mini poster is enclosed. Packaging features a slipcover.
Overall Score and Recommendation 3.0 of 5
While not as patently silly as the two Farmer outings mentioned above, it probably can't be argued that this is the best thing John Sayles has ever (co) written, though you can kind of feel some of Sayles' sentiments suffusing at least the background of this piece. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplements appealing, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.
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