I’m taking a look a couple of Powerhouse Films earlier Blu-ray releases that are still available to purchase via the likes of Amazon. The film I’m taking a look at here is espionage thriller The Odessa File (1974). It came out on Blu-ray in 2018 but was it a good release? Well actually like most of their releases it is. Let’s take a closer look at the film and bluray. So without further ado here’s my The Odessa File blu-ray review.
- The Odessa File (1974)
- Genre: Thriller
- Directed by Ronald Neame
- Based on The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth
- UK Rating PG
- Discs: 1
- Released By Powerhouse Films
- Blu-ray Released: 3 September 2018
Plot
Journalist Peter Miller stumbles on to a story of a Jewish Holocaust survivor who has apparently just committed suicide. He is given the man’s diary in which he discovers the name of the SS officer who ran the camp in which the man was imprisoned. Whilst trying to locate the former officer he finds his investigations are not welcomed. It looks like many of the SS are indeed still living and playing an active role in Germany in 1963. They do so under new identities to avoid being brought before any war crimes hearings. Can Peter Miller locate these men and bring them to justice?
Style / Direction
The film is directed by Ronald Neame while the cinematography is handled by Oswald Morris. This is without question a very stylish and well made espionage thriller that moves along at a good pace.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is provided by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Acting / Characters
The casting is very strong with the likes of Jon Voight, Maximilian Schell, Mary Tamm and Derek Jacobi. It’s Jon Voight as journalist as Peter Miller that is the star of the show. He really delivers a terrific performance and one that requires him to transform himself into another character in order to locate the man he has been searching for.
Cast
- Jon Voight as Peter Miller
- Mary Tamm as Sigi
- Maximilian Schell as Eduard Roschmann
- Maria Schell as Frau Miller
- Derek Jacobi as Klaus Wenzer
- Peter Jeffrey as David Porath
- Klaus Löwitsch as Gustav Mackensen
- Kurt Meisel as Alfred Oster
- Hannes Messemer as General Glücks
- Garfield Morgan as Israeli General
- Shmuel Rodensky as Simon Wiesenthal
- Ernst Schröder as Werner Deilman
- Günter Strack as Kunik
- Noel Willman as Franz Bayer
Conclusion: The Odessa File (1974) Film Review
I found the story compelling the acting excellent and the direction fabulous. The Odessa File really is a fantastic espionage thriller and one I urge you to take a look at if you haven’t yet to see it.
If you enjoyed my The Odessa File Blu-ray review so far you may want to check out the following films:
Conclusion: The Odessa File Blu-ray Review
Overall the picture quailty is excellent and has undergone a 2K restoration. I only noticed a couple marks early on in the movie. Meanwhile the extras included are indeed interesting and well worth a look.
Extras
- Ronald Neame BFI Interview with (2003) (67 mins)
- Oswald Morris (2006) (62 mins)
- Safe But Real (2018) (3 mins)
- Foreign Friends (2018) (7 mins)
- Super 8 Version (17 mins)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Image Gallery
Popcorn Cinema Rating: The Odessa File (1974)
MOVIE RATING: EXCELLENT
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
The Odessa File (1974) blu-ray is available now from Amazon.
The Amazon links on this page are affiliate / associate links. By buying through the links we may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price you pay.
The Odessa File (1974) Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Original Trailer
Clip may not representative of the blu-ray version
That concludes my The Odessa File blu-ray review, I’m aiming to review more thrillers soon. What’s next? Check back soon…
Summary: The Odessa File (1974) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: The Odessa File (1974)
Duration: 130 mins
Author: Frederick Forsyth
Director(s): Ronald Neame
Actor(s): Jon Voight, Maximilian Schell, Mary Tamm, Derek Jacobi, Maria Schell,
Genre: Thriller
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Picture Rating
- Extras
Summary
Frederick Forsyth’s compelling story is brought to life in this excellent espionage thriller.
