WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

List of Adrian Messenger, The/Mirage
Genre:Mystery Suspense

Reviewed In Issue 24 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, George C. Scott, Dana Wynter, Clive Brook, Herbert Marshall & Gladys Cooper

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

Supplementals
None.

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 42939
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $69.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 98
(Color Type): Black & White
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1963
(LD Release Date): 3/9/97
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): John Huston
(Screenplay/Written By): Anthony Veiller
(Story): NA
(Music): Jerry Goldsmith
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Alexander Golitzen, Stephen Grimes & George Webb
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Terry O. Morse, A.C.E.
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Edward Lewis

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:
A double delight for classic mystery buffs! Based upon a story by British thriller writer Philip MacDonald, the smart, stylish mystery The List Of Adrian Messenger is a wonderful classic suspense thriller. Shortly after a mysterious clergyman peels off his face, a trans-Atlantic plane explodes over the ocean. Adrian Messenger, the intended victim, survives long enough to gasp out a few important clues to his friend, Anthony Gethryn (George C. Scott), a retired British intelligence officer determined to apprehend Adrian’s killer. As the evil unfolds, potential heirs to a family fortune are also being murdered, leaving a young grandson as the sole survivor. Gethryn must try desperately to save him during a suspense filled fox hunt. There is a second part of the mystery and that is to find which of its characters are Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum and Tony Curtis in disguise?

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture is matted at 1.85:1, exhibiting an overly dark grayscale with poor shadow detail and contrast. Sharpness is inconsistent and the picture is marred with noise and artifacts throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished and compressed monaural.
(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:
No
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
No
Collector Edition:
No
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: