WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Poltergeist
Genre:Horror

Reviewed In Issue 10 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Zelda Rubinstein.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4.5
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM
(Catalog Number): ML104865
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $59.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 114
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1982
(LD Release Date): 07/01/94
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Tobe Hooper
(Screenplay/Written By): Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais & Mark Victor
(Story): Steven Spielberg
(Music): Jerry Goldsmith
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): James H. Spencer
(Visual Effects): Industrial Light & Magic
(Costume Designer): NA
(Editor): Michael Kahn, ACE
(Supervising Sound Editors): Stephen Hunter Flick & Richard L. Anderson
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Steven Spielberg & Frank Marshall

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Hailed as a “superior, spectacular ghost story,” Poltergeist is a horrific thriller about supernatural forces that invade the suburban home of the Freeling family. When Steve (Nelson) and Diane Freeling’s (Williams) 5 year-old daughter Carol Anne (O’Rourke) is kidnapped by ghosts, they hire expert parapsychologists Dr. Lesh (Straight) and Tangina (Rubenstein) to try to help them get her back.

LaserDisc Picture:
The 2.35:1 composed picture, shot with J-D-C scope lenses has, a natural quality due to excellent color fidelity, deep blacks and good shadow detail. Some grain and artifacts are apparent but overall the picture is sharp and pleasing.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is a disappointment. While it has a strong surround presence, the fidelity is inferior. It is harsh and extremely bright. There is no effective energy below 100 Hz!
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(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: