WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Bat 21
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 26 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Gene Hackman, Danny Glover, Jerry Reed, David Marshall Grant, Clayton Rohner, Erich Anderson & Joe Dorsey

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Lumivision
(Catalog Number): LVD9605
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 104
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1988
(LD Release Date): 9/9/97
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Peter Markle
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DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.80:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
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WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on a true incident and the book by William C. Anderson, Bat 21 tells the powerful story about two men in Vietnam, 1968. Gene Hackman stars as Colonel Iceal Hambleton, a middle-aged Air Force officer shot down behind enemy lines. Stuck behind a desk his entire life and having never seen combat, Hambleton is scared and ill-prepared for his life threatening predicament. Captain “Bird Dog” Clark (Danny Glover), a veteran spotter pilot is assigned to find the intelligence officer before the Viet Cong find him—and the U.S. Air Force carpet bombs the area.

LaserDisc Picture:
The 1.80:1 picture exhibits very natural color fidelity with rich and warm colors, accurate fleshtones and deep blacks. Images are generally sharp and detailed, although some scenes are a bit soft. Shadow detail and contrast is good. Some slightest noise is apparent with minor artifacts. Color fidelity is fantastic throughout!

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack sounds dated though surround envelopment is nicely produced and often aggressive in the war scenes. Dialogue is ADR-produced and wanting in spatial integration.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
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(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: