The 7th Voyage of Sinbad Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" delivers an enriched visual experience that effectively captures the essence of Harryhausen's timeless adventure. While the 1080p 1.66:1-framed transfer stays true to the film's vintage roots, it inevitably brings to light certain artifacts inherent to its primitive process shots. Grain is pervasive, particularly in scenes where special effects are prominent, magnified by the increased resolution of the MPEG-4 encode. Despite these occasional distractions, the colors throughout the film are robust and well-saturated, revealing the rich palette of Technicolor – from the vivid reds of the wine river to the distinct hues of Sadi’s serpentine transformation.

Detail and texture stand out impressively. The intricate Middle Eastern costumes reveal a wide range of tones, and the detailed textures of landscapes and cityscapes are more discernible than ever. Close-ups of characters' faces, especially those of Sokurah, show exceptional clarity and detail, although a few shots do exhibit minor soft focus. Black levels, while not extremely deep, maintain above-average shadow detail, providing good visual dimensionality in darker sequences set in caves and Sokurah's castle. While some scenes may appear busy or slightly muddled due to grain and background flicker, this transfer ensures a solid depth and overall visual vitality.

Fleshtones maintain a natural appearance, contributing to the lifelike rendition of characters. The bustling streets of Baghdad and vistas of the island of Colossa are particularly noteworthy for their authentic reproduction. Bright scenes comprise a dynamic range, though some viewers may note slight encoding-related smearing and infrequent camera focus issues. Despite these minor flaws, this Blu-ray release is a commendable upgrade over previous SD editions, promising longtime fans and new viewers alike an engaging and visually fulfilling experience that respects the original film's unique style.

The audio presentation of "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" on Blu-ray is a comprehensive enhancement, featuring both the original monaural track and a newly minted Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix. For aficionados of the original sound, the mono track retains its classic charm. However, the TrueHD mix provides a noteworthy upgrade without compromising the film's authenticity. While rear speaker engagement is minimal, the front soundstage is notably widened and enriched, lending a fuller acoustic presence. The multi-channel mix shines particularly in scenes where Bernard Herrmann's dramatic score commands attention. Enhanced with increased volume, depth, and instrumental clarity, the score's dynamic nuances are more vibrant than in any prior release.

The TrueHD 5.1 mix offers a marked improvement in sound quality, delivering a robust and enveloping auditory experience. Herrmann's iconic compositions, ranging from the booming main theme to intricate xylophone sequences, benefit significantly from cleaner instrumental separation and greater range. The enhanced soundstage brings forth critical effects with added vigor—the roaring of mythical creatures and clash of weapons feel more immersive and impactful. Although the surround activity is noticeably restrained, spatial ambiance during stormy sequences or intense skirmishes becomes more engaging due to subtle rear emanations that, while not overpowering, enhance the overall auditory experience.

Dialogue reproduction remains crisp and well-defined, flowing seamlessly from the center channel, though it occasionally sounds thin—a likely consequence of the source material rather than the remastering efforts. Despite this minor shortfall, other elements such as creature effects exhibit better weight and blend smoothly with the music and ambient sounds. Purists might relish the nostalgia of the mono track, but the TrueHD 5.1 mix presents a commendable balance between fidelity to the original experience and audio revitalization, making it the preferred choice for many listeners for its enhanced clarity and wider dynamic engagement.

"The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" Blu-ray's extras offer an excellent dive into the world of Ray Harryhausen's cinematic magic. The standout feature is a new audio commentary with Harryhausen, Phil Tippett, Randall William Cook, Steven Smith, and Arnold Kunert, which delivers an in-depth discussion on the film's production, effects, and score. Another gem is "Remembering 7th Voyage of Sinbad," where Harryhausen shares behind-the-scenes tales and conceptual artwork. "The Harryhausen Legacy" and "The Music of Bernard Herrmann" provide insightful interviews and analysis from industry experts, while vintage features like "A Look Behind the Voyage" and "This Is Dynamation" document the pioneering special effects. Additional features include a whimsical music video, a photo gallery, and various promotional materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring Ray Harryhausen, visual effects experts, and historian.
• Remembering 7th Voyage of Sinbad: Harryhausen reminisces about the film's creation.
• The Harryhausen Legacy: Interviews with Hollywood directors and visual effects experts.
• The Music of Bernard Herrmann: Analysis of the composer's work by biographer Steven Smith.
• Photo Gallery: Production stills slideshow set to Herrmann's music.
• Sinbad May Have Been Bad, But He's Been Good To Me: 1958 music promo.
• A Look Behind the Voyage: Vintage featurette on the film’s background.
• This Is Dynamation: Explains groundbreaking special effects.
• Ray Harryhausen Interview by John Landis: An entertaining discussion on the film.

"The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" stands as a timeless example of fantasy cinema, delivering an adventurous and spirited experience. The film stars Kerwin Mathews as the legendary Sinbad on his quest to save Princess Parisa (Kathryn Grant) from a curse imposed by the sinister magician Sokurah (Torin Thatcher). Sinbad's journey leads him to confront mythical creatures including a Cyclops, a fire-breathing dragon, and the iconic sword-fighting skeleton, brought to life by Ray Harryhausen's trailblazing visual effects. The simplicity of the plot and straightforward storytelling resonate as pure escapism, encapsulating a bygone era devoid of today’s cynicism, making it a delightful throwback for audiences willing to embrace its old-school charm.

The high-definition transfer on Blu-ray impeccably showcases Harryhausen's stop-motion animation, enhancing the vibrant Technicolor visuals and meticulously-crafted mythical creatures. While some may find that the increased clarity brings out the original film’s graininess and minor inconsistencies, it also magnifies the stunning detail and rich textures of Harryhausen’s work. The TrueHD audio track delivers Bernard Herrmann's majestic score with impressive clarity, adding depth to the film's immersive soundscape. Despite some dated special effects, the craftsmanship remains awe-inspiring, maintaining the film's enchanting allure.

Overall, "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" continues to enchant with its blend of heart-pounding adventure and whimsical effects. The film doesn't aim for modern glossiness but compensates with its heartfelt and engaging storytelling. Its nostalgic appeal is heightened by charmingly exaggerated performances and a commitment to delivering straightforward fun. The Blu-ray release not only preserves but enhances this classic experience, offering fans a crisp and vibrant viewing that honors the magic of Harryhausen’s artistry.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad stands out as an enduring piece of cinematic entertainment. Its compact runtime ensures nearly nonstop action, making it perfect for a wide audience, including families. Despite being over five decades old, the film remains engaging, with its appealing characters and fittingly exaggerated actions that mesh perfectly with the film's tone. Sony’s Blu-ray release does justice to this classic through a meticulously restored 5.1 lossless soundtrack and a vivid, detailed image that enhances the viewing experience.

Sony's attention to detail is apparent in the high-quality restoration work. The Blu-ray’s image is not only rich and colorful but also remarkably sharp, a significant improvement over previous releases. This meticulous restoration allows viewers to appreciate the film’s visual effects and craftsmanship, which were groundbreaking for its time. Additionally, the lossless soundtrack provides an immersive auditory experience, with clear dialogues and dynamic sound effects that bring the adventure to life.

Moreover, Sony’s Blu-ray release goes beyond just the audiovisual presentation by including a substantial collection of extras. These added features delve into the making of the film, offering behind-the-scenes insights and interviews that will appeal to both die-hard fans and those new to the movie. The combination of high-quality restoration and comprehensive extras makes this Blu-ray release a must-have for collectors and casual viewers alike.

In conclusion, Sony's Blu-ray release of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is a commendable effort that highlights the timeless charm of this classic adventure film. With its restored visuals and sound, along with extensive bonus content, this edition is well-crafted to satisfy both aficionados and newcomers. The release exemplifies how classic films can be preserved and appreciated by future generations through careful and thoughtful restoration. Highly recommended.