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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Live And Let Die

    Featured In Issue 137, December 2008

    Picture4
    Sound4.5
    WSR Score3.5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    MGM Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    M111675
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG
    (Rating Reason):
    NA
    (Retail Price):
    $34.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    122
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    1973
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    10/21/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Guy Hamilton
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Here is our first look at Roger Moore as Bond, James Bond. Moore is the suave, dashing—and deadly—Agent 007 in Live And Let Die, where an infamous drug lord is bent on overpowering the world and eliminating Bond in the bargain! Based on the book by Ian Fleming. (Stacey Pendry)

    Special features include three commentary tracks: one by Actor Sir Roger Moore, the second by Director Guy Hamilton, and lastly by Writer Tom Mankiewicz; the following featurettes: Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary (22 minutes) and Roger Moore As James Bond, Circa 1964 (eight minutes); a look at conceptual art that became iconic movie posters; 007 Mission Control, which is an interactive guide to your favorite scenes in the movie displayed by character or theme; a photo gallery; two theatrical trailers; three TV spots; and two radio spots.

    The H.264 1.78:1 AVC-encoded Blu-ray Disc™ shows very good resolution at times, but there are instances when it can appear overly soft. Black levels are solid, and shadows are defined well. There is a palpable sense of depth in the image that is enjoyable. Colors are generally saturated and balanced well, although there are times when colors appear dated. The picture occasionally looks washed out, though, and there is noticeable noise in some dark scenes. Source element artifacts are cleaned fairly well, but there are still blips of dirt that can be a distraction. Fleshtones appear natural, though, and compression artifacts aren't recognizable. (Danny Richelieu)

    The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel re-purposed soundtrack features a broad front stage, especially for music, with a very aggressive mix for the Paul McCartney-sung title track. Surround envelopment is generally limited in the movie, but there are instances when the surrounds are used very effectively. Deep bass is not a big part of the sound design, and the LFE channel is rarely incorporated. Fidelity is somewhat dated, and dialogue occasionally sounds harsh and grating. In general, though, fidelity is good for the age of the film. Dynamic range is very good, considering the age, and there is a decent sense of depth in the front stage. The original mono soundtrack is also included on the disc. (Danny Richelieu)

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    Bryant Moore
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