WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Marathon Man
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane & Marthe Keller

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 2.5
Sound Rating: 2
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Video
(Catalog Number): LV8789-WS
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $39.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 125
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1976
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered):

Credits Information
(Director): John Schlesinger
(Screenplay/Written By):
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DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
From William Goldman’s novel, Marathon Man features Dustin Hoffman as Thomas, an intelligent graduate student and marathon runner who becomes unwittingly involved in a dizzying world of international intrigue. A man who keeps mostly to himself, he meets the beautiful, but mysterious Elsa (Marthe Keller), and shortly after, the two are attacked while walking through New York’s Central Park. His brother, who works for a division between the FBI and the CIA, knows something of the attack, but is killed before he can warn Thomas. Laurence Olivier received an Academy Award® nomination for his portrayal as the sadistic Christian Szell—a character that will leave you squirming in your seat.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, matted at 1.85:1, looks dated and exhibits inconsistencies. Some scenes seem subdued and undersaturated, while interiors appear overly dark and “muddy.” Colors are a bit dull, but look otherwise natural in fidelity with accurate fleshtones. Luminated scenes, whether interior or exterior, are hazy and overly bright. Images are wanting in sharpness and detail with mediocre shadow detail and contrast. Slight noise and minor artifacts are apparent.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is undistinguished mono.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: