A letterboxed edition of '55 Days In Peking' was released by PC Films and Image some time ago. I initially passed on this disc due to it's cost and my unfamiliarity with the film, however, an interview with the film's director, Nicholas Ray, in an issue of The Perfect Vision piqued my interest. I decided to take a chance and have been rewarded with a terrific disc.
'55 Days In Peking' stars Charlton Heston, Ava Gardener and David Niven and was produced by Samuel Bronston, who also produced 'Fall Of The Roman Empire'. The film is a drama set against the Boxer Rebellion in early 1900's China. Heston plays a Major leading a U.S. Marine detachment assigned to the diplomatic compound inside Peking. Niven is the British Ambassador with Ava Gardener as a Russian Countess that becomes the love interest of Heston. When the compound comes under siege, it is Heston and Niven that must get the foreign nationals to safety.
The film's director, Nick Ray, is known as a master of the "widescreen" and it is perhaps this that is the most compelling element in this presentation. The film was shot in Super Technirama 70, a 70mm process from the early 60's, and Ray takes full advantage of the wide frame. Here you will find some of the finest examples of widescreen composition that I have seen. A cropped and scanned transfer of this film would be almost worthless. Fortunately, Image (or PC Films) has delivered an exceptional rendition of this exquisitely detailed film.
Though originally a 70mm production, this transfer was taken from anamorphic 35mm elements, as one can readily see from the elliptical reel change markers. The transferred aspect ratio is about 2.30:1 and Ray's compositions use every bit of it. The image quality is very good. Colors are solid and clear and reasonably (for video) accurate. Sharpness and detail are excellent, perhaps as good as is technically possible. Contrast and brightness are also very good.
The soundtrack was originally discrete multi-track and has been mixed down to a Dolby Stereo matrix. The audio is relatively clear with good range and clarity though seperations and use of the surround channel are kept to a minimum.
The film runs 159 minutes and is spread to 3 sides in CLV with a modest 25 chapter markers. The overture, intermission and exit music have been included. Retail price is $59.95.
One of the real pleasures of collecting movies on disc is that occasional "suprise". This disc is one such suprise. I wholeheartedly recommend this disc to any fan of "widescreen epics", even at 60 bucks. Enjoy.
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