A few words about…™ Harper — in Blu-ray

4 Stars Upgrade from DVD - Yes

Mr. Newman in his first role as a detective, in Jack Smight’s Harper, based upon the novel The Moving Target, by Ross Macdonald.

Warner Archive is releasing both of the Harper films – the other is The Drowning Pool – and unless you’re a Newman completist, this is the one to add to your library, as it’s a fun, funky film, with a terrific cast, and an overall quality production.

The Blu-ray is typical Warner Archive, in that it looks and sounds wonderful. Nary a problem to be found.

Screenplay by William Goldman.

Shot by Conrad Hall.

Score by Johnny Mandel.

Did I mention the cast?

Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Arthur Hill, Pamela Tiffin, Janet Leigh, Robert Wagner, Shelley Winters…

Image – 5

Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 2.0 monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from DVD – Yes

Recommended

RAH

Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.

His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.

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Alan Tully

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Excellent, buying films that I saw & loved at the cinema is the Blu-ray magic for me, esp. sixties stuff.

I still have the DVD somewhere, & as I remember it looks quite nice, but a bit soft on todays big tellys. I won't bother with The Drowning Pool, as I never saw it & don't have a connection with it.

...& my first 2018 release purchase.
 
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Robin9

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Excellent, buying films that I saw & loved at the cinema is the Blu-ray magic for me, esp. sixties stuff.

I still have the DVD somewhere, & as I remember it looks quite nice, but a bit soft on todays big tellys. I won't bother with The Drowning Pool, as I never saw it & don't have a connection with it.

...& my first 2018 release purchase.

The DVD is good but I'm upgrading anyway. I'll also buy The Drowning Pool which I haven't seen since it first came out. I've read the novel three or four times.
 
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Robert Crawford

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The DVD is good but I'm upgrading anyway. I'll also buy The Drowning Pool which I haven't seen since it first came out. I've read the novel three or four times.
Yesterday, I listened to Warner Archive's Podcast with George Feltenstein and he stated "Harper" is from a new HD Master that Warner just did recently so it should be a major improvement over the DVD.
 

PMF

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This release and review stands in good stead as to why I am now resolved, basking in and enjoying the ride; as supplied by WAC and their library. I've arrived at some wonderful place where I am satisfied with the titles as they come, rather than worry about what has yet to be released. There is always something good to be found and usually something long not thought of. I mean, really, how could anyone squawk at a perfect transfer derived from yet another Newman/Conrad teaming? My thanks to WAC for their continued efforts and offerings; to which "Harper" is a definite purchase.
 
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