The Brain from Planet Arous

The Brain from Planet Arous" Blu-ray video presentation, released by The Film Detective, is available in two aspect ratios: the original 1.85:1 and an alternative 1.33:1 version. This allows viewers to choose their preferred viewing experience, although the 1.85:1 is noted for its more historically accurate representation of the film's original exhibition. This format, however, sometimes feels slightly cramped but balances this with a more comprehensive visual field, unlike the 1.33:1 version, which, despite its sharper grain resolution, tends to feel excessively spacious, particularly at the top of the frame. Culled from the collection of Wade Williams, it's presumed that a print was used for this transfer which introduces a visibly gritty grain texture, observable in various scenes and screenshots provided in the review.

The video quality, encoded with AVC at 1080p resolution, despite some framing and grain texture challenges, showcases commendable detail levels that admirers of mid-century cinematography will appreciate. Fabrics and complex patterns within the scenes are rendered with clarity, adding to the visual depth of the film. That said, it's impossible to ignore the noticeable damage including significant scratches and marks that persist throughout the film. These imperfections are more prominent in the widescreen version but do not substantially detract from the overall viewing experience.

Overall, while both versions exhibit their own strengths and weaknesses, they also highlight a clear effort in preserving and presenting "The Brain from Planet Arous" in high definition. The grain structure and occasional damage remind viewers of the film's age and journey through time. It's a testament to the dedication involved in bringing classic cinema to contemporary audiences on Blu-ray, managing to retain an organic feel that fans of vintage science fiction will surely appreciate.

The audio presentation of "The Brain from Planet Arous" on Blu Ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track. While the track presents itself with a certain clarity that ensures dialogue is easily understandable, there's an unavoidable thinness and a degree of brashness that infiltrates the upper registers. This slight flaw notwithstanding, the score, composed by Walter Greene, emerges with a surprising depth. Greene's composition carries echoes of Johnny Williams’ iconic scores for Irwin Allen’s 1960s science fiction television series, managing to inject a robust, almost prescient character into the audio.

Despite these minor quibbles, the overall audio experience maintains a consistent cleanliness and clarity that should not be understated. The dialogue, an essential element for following the film's quirky narrative and performances, is transmitted without any significant losses or distortions. However, attentive listeners may notice some background noise during the more subdued scenes, although it never escalates to a level that would detract significantly from the overall experience. The inclusion of optional English and Spanish subtitles is a thoughtful addition, catering to a broader audience and ensuring that the film is accessible to all interested viewers.

In essence, while the audio track may not be perfect — characterized by its slight upper register issues and incidental background noise — the quality of the dialogue clarity and the vigor of the musical score manage to elevate the auditory experience. The effort to preserve and present "The Brain from Planet Arous" in its audial aspect on Blu Ray has resulted in an experience that faithfully captures the essence of its original presentation while making allowances for modern accessibility through subtitled options.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Brain from Planet Arous" offer a detailed and engaging glimpse into the film's production and its creative minds. Notably, the segment "Not the Same Old Brain" presents a delightful interview with Joyce Meadows, enhancing the viewing experience with personal insights. The audio commentary, led by Tom Weaver along with David Schecter, Larry Blamire, and Joyce Meadows, combines entertainment with valuable production anecdotes and information, making it a standout feature. Additionally, the two segments dedicated to director Nathan Juran, titled "The Man Before the Brain" and "The Man Behind the Brain," delivered by Justin Humphreys and C. Courtney Joyner respectively, delve deep into Juran's biography and professional world, providing a comprehensive understanding of his contributions. The inclusion of an insert booklet with an essay by Tom Weaver about Jacques Marquette further enriches the package, making it a must-have for fans and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Not the Same Old Brain: A fun interview with Joyce Meadows.
• Audio Commentary with Tom Weaver: Featuring David Schecter, Larry Blamire, and Joyce Meadows, mixing production info with anecdotes.
• The Man Before the Brain: Director Nathan Juran: Justin Humphreys gives biographical background on Juran.
• The Man Behind the Brain: The World of Nathan Juran: C. Courtney Joyner shares his insights on Juran.
• Insert Booklet: An essay by Tom Weaver on Jacques Marquette.

In the treasure trove of cult cinema, "The Brain from Planet Arous" shines with an absurd charm that transcends its evident budget constraints and technical limitations. Tom Weaver's analysis, as featured on the Blu-ray release, sets the tone right from the get-go, underscoring the lack of "mind-boggling" special effects, which could be a stumbling block for those seeking visual spectacle. Instead, this cinematic oddity triumphs through its outlandish premise, characterized by the bizarre invasion of Earth by Gor—an alien with aspirations of universal dominance and a penchant for possessing hapless humans, notably a scientist named Steve March played with eye-rolling gusto by John Agar. The ludicrous narrative arc, sprinkled with unintentionally hilarious moments, is augmented by interactions that teeter on the edge of bizarre, including Gor's law-breaking nemesis opting for a rather unconventional host.

The Blu-ray presentation enriches the viewing experience with insightful add-ons that delve into the film's production backstory and shed light on the creative forces behind this peculiar project. The commentary provided by Tom Weaver, bolstered by guest insights and featurettes about director Nathan Juran (or Nathan Hertz, a pseudonym he adopted in light of his dissatisfaction with the final product), offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of those who birthed this oddity. Moreover, Jacques Marquette's dual role as producer and cinematographer is highlighted, showcasing a production that, despite its constrained resources, manages to deliver on a visual level that surpasses expectations for such a venture.

At its core, "The Brain from Planet Arous" is emblematically representative of a bygone era's science fiction—where storytelling ambition often outran technical and budgetary means. Yet, the film's charm, augmented by the Blu-ray's comprehensive features, lies in its unapologetic embrace of its own absurdity. The narrative’s blatant ridiculousness, coupled with performances that oscillate between earnest and comically overwrought, crafts a viewing experience that is as bewildering as it is entertaining. As we navigate through Steve's tumultuous possession and the comedic interludes of an alien criminal chase, the movie secures its place in the annals of cult cinema, offering a peculiar yet endearing spectacle that prompts more chuckles than awe.

The Blu-ray release of "The Brain from Planet Arous" offers an intriguing glimpse into a unique slice of sci-fi cinema history, positioned as part of an unusual triptych alongside "Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman" and "Teenage Monster." As noted by Tom Weaver in his insightful commentary, there's an undeniable charm to these films, blending a certain naive innocence with what modern audiences might dismiss as camp. This release allows aficionados and new viewers alike to experience the film's peculiar allure, including its iconic visual of a googly eyed disembodied brain, providing at least some entertainment for those with an appreciation for less polished sci-fi adventures.

In terms of technical presentation, the Blu-ray delivers decent quality overall. Potential buyers are encouraged to examine the included screenshots shared in this review, which offer a glimpse into the film's visual transfer. It appears to capture the essence of the original cinematic experience well, preserving the lo-fi aesthetics that contribute significantly to the film's unique charm. The additional content supplements accompanying this release are particularly noteworthy, enhancing the overall value of the package for collectors and enthusiasts considering adding this title to their collection.

In conclusion, "The Brain from Planet Arous" Blu-ray presents a worthwhile opportunity for both longtime fans and newcomers to immerse themselves in a peculiar yet endearing piece of science fiction cinema. With a satisfactory technical presentation and enriching supplementary materials, it stands as a testament to a bygone era of filmmaking. This release not only preserves the quirky nature of the original film but also provides context and appreciation for its place within a broader cinematic narrative, making it a commendable addition to any Blu-ray library.