Earthquake Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory's "Earthquake: Collector's Edition" presents a robust and nuanced video experience through a new 2K scan of the film’s interpositive for both the theatrical cut and the TV version. The theatrical cut, maintaining its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, benefits from an impressive transfer with organic film grain that holds up throughout, rendering fine details and strong colors faithfully. The matte paintings and optical effects from the original production still appear somewhat soft, but these inherent limitations do not detract significantly from the overall quality. Black levels are noteworthy, showing deep, inky blacks with stable shadows. The primary colors appear vibrant with natural skin tones, giving the visuals a period-authentic yet visually appealing presentation.

The TV version, reconstructed in a 1.33:1 format incorporating over 20 minutes of additional footage, doesn't fare as well as the theatrical cut but remains commendable. This version displays more speckling and artifacts, likely due to the state of the source materials. Certain sequences, especially those shot specifically for TV, tend to appear soft and less detailed. The grain is more prominent here due to the tighter cropping of the original widescreen image, resulting in a higher visibility of defects. Despite these limitations, colors in the TV version are generally solid with cooler tones and relatively lighter primaries.

Technically, this edition uses an MPEG-4 AVC encode at 1080p resolution on BD-50 discs, ensuring high bitrates for both cuts—around 36 Mbps on average. While the theatrical cut boasts better clarity and depth with well-implemented matte paintings that integrate seamlessly into the action, the TV cut, though slightly softened and challenged by inherent defects, manages to deliver a decent visual experience. Overall, this Blu-ray release from Shout Factory stands as arguably the best video presentation "Earthquake" has ever received.

The Blu-ray release of "Earthquake" offers a commendable array of audio options, each catering to varied auditory preferences and settings. The Theatrical Cut is presented with three DTS-HD Master Audio tracks: a 5.1 Surround mix (3118 kbps, 24-bit), a 2.1 mix featuring Sensurround (1923 kbps, 24-bit), and a 2.0 Stereo track (1573 kbps, 24-bit). The 5.1 track impresses with its directionality, creating an immersive soundstage that maximizes the impact of quake sounds and explosions. However, the dialogue could benefit from better centering and clarity, occasionally requiring volume adjustments to be discernible. The 2.1 Sensurround mix is notable for its fidelity to the original theatrical experience, delivering robust low-frequency effects that truly resonate during earthquake sequences. This track effectively utilizes subwoofer variations to enhance the overall sensory impact.

The Television Cut features a single DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono track (1597 kbps, 24-bit), which, while adequate, lacks the dynamic range and immersive quality found in the theatrical mixes. Despite this, it remains functional for home viewing, albeit without the dramatic impact of higher fidelity options. English SDH subtitles are available for both cuts.

John Williams' score remains a highlight across all mixes, seamlessly integrated into the audio landscape of the film. In summary, while the 5.1 mix provides the most immersive experience, the 2.1 Sensurround track remains the closest approximation to the original theatrical presentation. Choosing between these tracks depends on one's preference for immersive surround sound versus historical authenticity. The overall audio package significantly enhances the home viewing experience, ensuring "Earthquake" sounds better than ever before on home video.

The Blu-Ray edition of "Earthquake" includes a robust selection of extras that genuinely enhance the viewer's appreciation of the film. Disc One features informative vintage audio interviews with Charlton Heston, Lorne Greene, and Richard Roundtree, providing insightful anecdotes about the film and the era. Visual supplements include an extensive collection of still galleries and promotional materials that offer a nostalgic dive into the film's marketing campaign. Disc Two showcases a 2K remaster of the TV version with additional content not included in the theatrical release due to damaged prints. New interviews shed light on various production aspects, with highlights including John Burlingame's discussion on John Williams' score and Bill Taylor's tribute to Albert Whitlock's matte paintings. Ben Burtt's exploration of Sensurround technology stands out for its technical depth.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Interview with Charlton Heston: Discusses Heston’s role and special effects.
• Audio Interview with Lorne Greene: Covers philanthropic endeavors and charities.
• Audio Interview with Richard Roundtree: Talks about his theater background and movie career.
• Production and Publicity Still Gallery: Hundreds of press kit photos and lobby cards.
• Behind-the-Scenes Gallery: Images featuring wardrobe, makeup design, and direction.
• Matte Paintings & Miniatures Gallery: Illustrations of art department work.
• Deleted Scenes Gallery: On-set photos.
• Posters & Lobby Cards Gallery: Over 100 international promotional images.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: Non-restored trailer with film artifacts.
• Original TV Spot: Pixelated TV commercial.
• Radio Spots: Seven repetitive radio advertisements.

Disc Two:

• NEW Scoring Disaster: The Music of EARTHQUAKE: An interview exploring John Williams’ musical contributions.
• NEW Painting Disaster: The Matte Art of Albert Whitlock: Examination of Whitlock’s work and career.
• NEW Sounds of Disaster: Ben Burtt Talks About SENSURROUND: Historical analysis of Sensurround technology.
• TV Scenes: Compilation of scenes exclusive to the TV broadcast version.
• Additional TV Scenes: Two segments from the TV cut presented in standard definition.

"Earthquake," directed by Mark Robson and released in 1974, is quintessential 70s disaster cinema, bursting with big-name actors and groundbreaking special effects. The film is a product of its time, juxtaposing melodramatic character arcs with impressive technical feats. The storyline is overstuffed with nearly 15 major characters, including Charlton Heston as Stewart Graff, George Kennedy as Lew Slade, and Richard Roundtree as Miles Quade. While the character development is ample, it often detracts from the film's pacing. The earthquake itself only consumes about 10 minutes of screen time, situated near the midpoint, causing the narrative to feel unfocused until the citywide chaos finally erupts.

Technically, "Earthquake" was groundbreaking for its era. It employed meticulous miniatures, matte backgrounds, and practical optical effects. Most notably, the film introduced Sensurround audio technology, crafted to replicate the low-frequency rumbling of an actual earthquake in theaters—a feature that was ahead of its time but unfortunately short-lived. Despite its ambitious attempts at blending personal drama with high-stakes disaster, the film often feels more like a 70s TV drama rather than a blockbuster. Scenes sometimes drag with excessive exposition, and the mélange of subplots creates an uneven viewing experience.

The Special Edition Blu-ray release rectifies past video shortcomings with a full 2K scan of the interpositive. The picture quality exhibits solid grain structure with varied detail; some scenes are impressively sharp while others appear soft and textured less consistently. Colors are vibrant and true to the film's original aesthetic, though skin tones sometimes veer towards orange and pink. Black levels are robust with minimal crush, contributing to a visually appealing yet imperfect experience. Overall, despite script issues and pacing flaws, "Earthquake" delivers as an engaging piece of disaster movie history, both in terms of narrative and technical innovation.

"Earthquake," despite its somewhat dated narrative and pacing issues, holds a special place in the pantheon of disaster films. Starring an impressive ensemble cast including Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and George Kennedy, the film combines star power with pioneering sound design. Shout Factory's Blu-ray release has markedly improved upon Universal Pictures' previous 2013 offering. With a fresh 2K scan from the interpositive that includes both the theatrical cut (2.20:1) and TV cut (1.33:1), this edition undoubtedly stands as the definitive release. The added scenes in the TV version provide a different, albeit more melodramatic, experience that complements the original storyline.

Technically speaking, this Blu-ray features robust audio options: DTS-HD MA 5.1, 2.1 Sensurround, and 2.0 tracks, ensuring an immersive and dynamic auditory experience. Subtitles are also available in English SDH. Shout Factory has gone a step further by supplementing the discs with a rich array of extras—vintage sound bites from cast members, new interviews, photo galleries, and additional scenes—making it a treasure trove for fans and cinephiles alike.

In conclusion, while "Earthquake" may not rival its disaster film contemporaries like "The Towering Inferno," it remains a thoroughly entertaining spectacle, especially if approached with tempered expectations. Shout Factory’s meticulous attention to detail in video and audio quality, combined with significant supplementary content, makes this Blu-ray release an essential upgrade for followers of the genre and an important addition to any collection. Highly recommended for disaster film enthusiasts.