Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray presentation of "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold," brought to us by Olive Films, is encoded with AVC and sports a 2.36:1 ratio. This transfer unfortunately seems to be marred by several quality issues, perhaps indicative of it being sourced from duplicate materials rather than original prints. The grain structure throughout the film is notably heavy and appears somewhat unnatural, lending a rough, almost patchy texture across a variety of scenes. This is most apparent in wide and mid-range shots, but close-ups are not immune, often appearing softer than one might expect. The picture quality leans towards the darker spectrum, which impacts the vibrancy of the film's color palette, leaving many scenes lacking in visual depth and sometimes bordering on the appearance of a poorly colorized film.

Adding to the presentation woes are several technical anomalies that detract from the viewing experience. Notably, around the 29:40 mark, viewers will encounter an unusual pixelation issue on the frame's upper left section that eerily resembles tracking problems seen in VHS tapes. Furthermore, this Blu-ray's enhanced resolution unfortunately makes some of the less sophisticated process photography all the more apparent, such as a cave sequence that is almost distractingly poorly executed. Despite these issues, it's worth noting that scenes set in well-lit environments tend to fare better, albeit still hampered by excessive graininess and lacking sharpness.

The video quality struggles particularly in darker scenes, where details are lost, and the picture can appear muddied. While there are fleeting moments where the presentation manages to capture some of the film's intended aesthetic, these are overshadowed by the pervasive technical shortcomings. Overall, this Blu-ray release of "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" disappoints with its inconsistent transfer quality, ranging from somewhat watchable in optimal lighting conditions to problematic in others. This presentation might serve as a cautionary example of how crucial access to original elements is for preserving the integrity of classic films in modern formats.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix featured in the Blu Ray audio presentation of "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" delivers a solid foundation for the film’s dialogue, ensuring clarity and audibility throughout. However, this technical proficiency is somewhat overshadowed by significant issues arising from the film's musical score. The mix demonstrates an uneven handling of Michael Linn’s music, which, although credited to him, substantially borrows from Jerry Goldsmith's compositions for "King Solomon's Mines" as well as incorporating elements from other Golan-Globus productions. This mishmash of sources contributes to a distracting auditory experience, hampered further by editing decisions that could be described as clumsy at best.

The audio mixing approach, while intending to create a cohesive soundscape, instead presents a jarring patchwork that detracts from the immersive experience expected of a high-definition release. The layered scores, rather than enhancing the film's adventurous tone, serve to confuse and even alienate the listener with their haphazard integration. The blatant emulation of John Williams’ iconic work for the Indiana Jones series does the film no favors, making these audio shortcomings all the more glaring. The attempts at blending different musical cues result in a disconcerting experience, marked by poorly executed edits and fades that disrupt rather than complement the film’s narrative flow.

Moreover, the reuse and recycling of musical pieces across Golan-Globus projects, while a common practice in certain productions, is particularly conspicuous here due to the lack of finesse in its execution. This contributes to an overall sense of disjointedness in the film’s audio presentation. Despite the technical capabilities of the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix in transmitting dialogue clearly, the broader sonic landscape it constructs is marred by these musical missteps, leaving much to be desired in an otherwise professionally packaged Blu Ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" provides an additional layer to the film experience, albeit in a modest capacity. The inclusion of the trailer, presented in full 1080p resolution and lasting just over a minute, offers a succinct yet vivid glimpse into the adventure and excitement that the movie promises. This single extra feature, while minimal, is a neat, crisp addition for fans and collectors, highlighting the film's key moments and enticing new viewers. Its technical presentation is polished, ensuring that even this brief piece of material is delivered with a quality that respects the film's adventurous spirit.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A high-definition preview of the film's thrilling adventure.

Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" struggles to escape the shadow of its more successful predecessor, "King Solomon's Mines," and the iconic Indiana Jones series it so fervently tries to emulate. Filmed concurrently with its precursor but delayed in release, perhaps due to a belated realization of its outdated stereotypes and controversial portrayals, the movie inadvertently showcases the pitfalls of recycling 19th-century colonialist sentiments without a hint of modern self-awareness. The titular character, Allan Quatermain, is awkwardly renamed "Quartermain" by his peers, a minor but glaring issue that symbolizes the movie's larger identity crisis: trying to blend action, adventure, and comedy but failing to pronounce its unique voice amid the cacophony of its cinematic inspirations.

Set against the visually uninspired backdrop of supposedly exotic locales—which more closely resemble budget vacation resorts than the mysterious, ancient civilizations they aim to depict—the narrative follows Allan and Jesse Huston on another whimsical treasure hunt. Accompanied by a diverse yet stereotypically portrayed cast, including James Earl Jones in an unfortunately caricatured role, the film stumbles from one incoherent set piece to another. The editing is especially erratic, weakening any attempt at suspense or excitement with its disjointed pacing and overreliance on lackluster special effects. This mishmash of ineffectively executed vignettes leaves much to be desired, diluting any sense of adventure with predictable resolution and forgettable action.

With a setting that borders on self-parody, complete with a cartoonish villain and an inexplicably multicultural lost tribe, "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" veers into the realm of the absurd. Its reliance on outdated tropes and painfully obvious attempts at serial adventurism only accentuate its inability to forge a distinct identity or offer substantial entertainment. Despite earnest efforts from its cast, notably the stoic performance of James Earl Jones who seems out of place amidst the surrounding folly, the film fails to captivate or thrill, ultimately serving as a lackluster chapter in the annals of adventure cinema.

The Blu-ray release of "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" is a mixed bag that teeters on the edge of becoming a treasured piece for collectors, yet ultimately falls short due to a combination of factors. At the heart of these issues is the film’s execution, which is marred by a script that fails to fully engage, marked by its politically incorrect elements and a palpable uncertainty in the performance of some of its actors. Furthermore, the film suffers from nearly comical special effects and an all-too-familiar feel that lacks originality, casting a shadow over its potential entertainment value.

The technical presentation of this release does little to elevate the film above these foundational problems. Although it is indeed watchable, the transfer leaves much to be desired. Fans who have a penchant for visual details are likely to find themselves examining screenshots with a critical eye, seeking out moments of visual redemption in a transfer that does not live up to the expectations set by contemporary standards. The visual aspect, so crucial to the immersive experience of any film, especially one that hinges on its ability to transport the viewer to another time and place, is compromised here, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold" might hold some appeal for die-hard fans eager to revisit this adventure, it falls short of providing a compelling upgrade over previous formats. The combination of a lackluster script, underwhelming performances, dated special effects, and a sub-optimal video transfer renders this release an opportunity missed. For those contemplating an addition to their collection, it may serve as a curiosity or a nostalgic piece, but it fails to stand out as a must-have, leaving much room for improvement in both content and quality.