A few words about…™ Vice Squad – in Blu-ray

4 Stars Everything that is on the negative appears at full tilt on the new Blu-ray, and it reproduces the look and textures as captured by John Alcott.

Vice Squad, a 1982 film, directed by Gary Sherman, isn’t normally something that I’d suggest people purchase for viewing.

For me, it’s a reminder of what certain sections of Hollywood were like, back in 1981-82.

But it really hasn’t met the test of time.

But for true cinephiles, the importance is beyond cast or story, it’s all about the DP, and how this film, with many sequences apparently shot without the aid of lighting, or at least minimal lighting, were taken by someone already recognized for extraordinary achievments in his field.

Presumably, what has been released by Scream Factory, is a 4k scan of the OCN, which at times is extremely grainy, based upon the lack of light.

Everything that is on the negative appears at full tilt on the new Blu-ray, and it reproduces the look and textures as captured by John Alcott.

Was this a pick-up job between major shoots? Could it have been as a favor to an Avco Embassy exec? I’ve no idea.

But here we have the DP who had worked on 2001, and shot Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, and The Shining for that gentleman from Brooklyn, living in the UK.

While I’m a fan of Season Hubley, this film is all about John Alcott.

Image – 5

Audio – 5

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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Colin Jacobson

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Everything that is on the negative appears at full tilt on the new Blu-ray, and it reproduces the look and textures as captured by John Alcott.

Was this a pick-up job between major shoots? Could it have been as a favor to an Avco Embassy exec? I've no idea.

In the disc's commentary and interview, director Gary Sherman states that he worked with/was friends with Alcott going back years, so Alcott basically did the film as a favor for a pal...
 

Bob Cashill

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Alcott shot TERROR TRAIN and THE BEASTMASTER around the same time. It's not like Kubrick kept him in work all the time (and his post-SHINING credits were pretty much at this level. Gone too soon, alas).
 

Colin Jacobson

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Alcott shot TERROR TRAIN and THE BEASTMASTER around the same time. It's not like Kubrick kept him in work all the time (and his post-SHINING credits were pretty much at this level. Gone too soon, alas).

Gee, given the breakneck pace at which Kubrick pumped out movies in the 70s and 80s, why would Alcott need to work with anyone else? :D
 

Worth

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In the disc's commentary and interview, director Gary Sherman states that he worked with/was friends with Alcott going back years, so Alcott basically did the film as a favor for a pal...
He'd also take on work which let him experiment with new techniques - likely why he did this and Terror Train.
 

Robert Harris

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Actually. Stanley Kubrick and David Lean directed nearly everything that was filmed on the other side of the pond;
even without being on the actual set.;)

There’s an entire chapter in Kevin Brownlow’s wonderful book on Lean, that delves into the moon landing, being shot at Shepperton.
 

Robert Harris

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Yep and he wanted widescreen but hated anamorphic so he resurrected the ole SuperScope format for the modern day, and the Super 35 format was born. But RAH, I know you know that and you are more of an expert than I am. Lol

And precisely why Greystoke, which I saw in an early test screening, looked superb in 70mm.
 

Brian Husar

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And precisely why Greystoke, which I saw in an early test screening, looked superb in 70mm.
Actually the 2 Super 35 blow ups to 70mm I remember seeing, looked a hell of alot better than the anamorphic ones. Backdraft and True Lies. Didn’t see Titanic because Chicago didn’t get the 70mm blow up.
 
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