WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Victim
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Dirk Bogarde, Sylvia Syms, Dennis Pryce, Nigel Stock, Peter McEnery, Donald Churchill, Anthony Nicholls, Hilton Edwards & Norman Bird

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 2
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Criterion Collection
(Catalog Number): CC1510L
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $49.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 104
(Color Type): Color With Black & White Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1961
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered):

Credits Information
(Director): Basil Dearden
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
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DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

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:
At the time of its release in 1961, Victim was considered controversial for its taboo subject of homosexuality. Dirk Bogarde shocked his traditional audience starring as Melville Farr, a respectably married, but closeted gay barrister who learns that his ex-lover has been arrested and commits suicide in jail. When Farr discovers that the boy has been a victim of extortion, he realizes he also may be targeted and must choose between seeking help or tracking down the blackmailers himself—a decision that could destroy his marriage and his career. The British Board Of Film Censors Certificate with the film’s original “X” rating is presented in the beginning of the feature.

LaserDisc Picture:
The black and white picture, matted at 1.66:1, exhibits a generally good grayscale with deep blacks and pure whites. Definition is good as well as contrast and shadow detail. Images are generally sharp and detailed, although sometimes wanting in definition. Noise, grain and minor artifacts are apparent.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished monaural that sounds overall compressed and distorted.
(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: