The Fourth War Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image presentation of "The Fourth War" (1.85:1 aspect ratio) reveals signs of aging, evident through a somewhat muted color palette and moderately bloodless skintones. Military hues particularly lack vibrancy, diminishing the natural appeal. Detail resolution is mediocre, with close-ups showing better clarity than broader scenes. Nighttime scenes struggle with delineation, and there is noticeable speckling and scratching in the source material along with some mild banding.

Shot on film, the Blu-ray retains the original theatrical aspect ratio and offers reasonable quality for an older title, despite several shortcomings. The initial credits suffer from significant dirt and debris, which lessens but does not disappear entirely throughout the film. The white, snowy backgrounds emphasize the persistent dirt, and slight jitter is noticeable during text displays, such as subtitles for Russian dialogue. Nonetheless, the transfer provides some depth in detail, particularly in outdoor daytime scenes. Black levels are solid but lack the depth seen in contemporary releases, and while grain is present to maintain a cinematic feel, it has been subdued.

Overall, the Blu-ray presentation achieves a good balance for Kino’s release standard. Despite its imperfections—including jitter during the occasional text display and inconsistent black levels—the transfer maintains a respectable film-like quality. The grain ensures that the image retains a nostalgic aesthetic, making this a satisfactory visual restoration for fans of older films.

The Audio presentation of "The Fourth War" on Blu-ray is encapsulated in a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless track. This audio mix successfully handles the straightforward soundscape of the film; however, it misses the opportunity to enhance the sense of expansiveness that the remote and wintry settings could have offered. Dialogue exchanges remain clear and direct, despite being consistently challenged by recording limitations associated with filming in loud environments like vehicles and tiled hallways.

Considering the technical aspects, this 2.0 lossless track provides a faithful representation of how the film likely sounded during its original theatrical release. The era-specific score, while thin, is still identifiable and suits its purpose fairly well. Sound effects such as gunfire and explosions are present but lack the necessary impact to truly immerse the listener. While atmospherics are adequately reproduced to convey the cold, wintry setting, their subtlety might not impress those seeking a more profound auditory experience. Overall, this serviceable mix fulfills its requirements without delivering any noteworthy highlights or causing technical issues such as dropouts or glitches.

In summary, while the provided 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is proficient and maintains clear dialogue, it does not offer the depth and punch that some might hope for in an action-driven narrative. It’s capable and consistent, giving a fair audio representation suitable for this type of release, yet falls short of being exceptional.

The extras on the Blu-Ray of "The Fourth War" are limited but well-curated, featuring a collection of trailers predominantly centered around Roy Scheider's filmography and director John Frankenheimer's earlier works. The materials are presented in a mixture of HD and SD formats, offering a nostalgic dive into the promotional efforts of these classics. Notably, each trailer must be viewed individually, as a 'Play All' option is absent.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for "The Fourth War".
• 52 Pick-Up Trailer: A spotlight on another Scheider classic.
• Last Embrace Trailer: Capturing the intensity of this thriller.
• Still of the Night Trailer: Featuring sequences from the psychological thriller.
• The Train Trailer: Highlighting Frankenheimer’s earlier work.

Adapted from Stephen Peters' novel and directed by John Frankenheimer, "The Fourth War" (1990) explores the provocative question of what Cold War commanders do when their era ends. Roy Scheider stars as American Col. Jack Knowles and Jürgen Prochnow as Russian Col. Valachev, two soldiers struggling with obsolescence during a fading geopolitical conflict. Set against the backdrop of the German-Czechoslovakia border in 1988, the film presents a compelling premise but handles it inconsistently, vacillating between suspense and dark comedy. Frankenheimer's serious directorial approach treats the story more as an action thriller, filled with shootouts and explosions, rather than taking a satirical angle that might have enlivened the warring antics.

The narrative's potential is somewhat undermined by its primary character depiction, nearly comparing the two seasoned commanders to children engaged in spiteful games. The film sets its tone early with dramatic encounters ranging from tanks threatening Soviet troops to snowball fights between the commanding officers. Roy Scheider's portrayal of Knowles is both hard-nosed and impulsive, often putting him at odds with his peers and escalating tensions dangerously close to international incidents. Despite his reckless behavior, punctuated by hostage situations and arson, Knowles faces minimal immediate repercussions, a detail that stretches believability but fuels the plot's momentum.

With geopolitical changes looming large in 1990, the film employs a preface to establish its setting in 1988, sidestepping the larger implications of the Soviet Union's collapse. Though not entirely achieving the intended suspense, the film underscores the redundancy of 'Cold Warriors' in a rapidly transforming world. While Scheider's performance garners respect, the film delivers more on action than on thoughtful introspection. It's not a must-have for collections but does offer an evening of '80s action nostalgia, supported by solid acting amid a somewhat absurd premise.

The Fourth War on Blu-ray offers a mixed cinematic experience that harks back to the anti-Soviet Union films of the 1980s, despite its 1990 release. Directed by John Frankenheimer, the film presents a solid performance by Roy Scheider, who takes on a less-than-likable character with a certain commendable dedication. While the film struggles with credibility and occasionally leans into over-the-top theatrics, its pace remains brisk enough to maintain interest.

The Blu-ray transfer does justice to the film's visual and auditory elements, ensuring that viewers can appreciate its detailed cinematography and sound design. Technical aspects such as video quality and audio mix are handled proficiently, offering a clear and immersive viewing experience. This respectable transfer elevates the film somewhat, providing a visually cleaner and better-audio experience than previous formats might have offered.

However, despite John Frankenheimer's dedication to crafting a compelling narrative, ‘The Fourth War' ultimately stumbles as it approaches its climax. The story becomes overly complicated and falters under its ambitions, leading to a final showdown that feels inevitable and somewhat uninspired. Nonetheless, fans of Roy Scheider or those with an interest in Cold War-era dramas might find it worth their time.

The Fourth War has a host of problems, but it never gives up. Frankenheimer is committed to the story and he delivers meaty work, but the tale eventually falls apart as it works to achieve a level of complication that motivates a showdown finale. However, by the time the grand climax arrives, The Fourth War is out of tricks, limping to a foregone conclusion.