Search - The Black Hole [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1979 DVD Release: 03/30/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 14 Genres: Action, Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Action, Space Adventure See Also: The Black Hole [Widescreen], The Black Hole [Fullscreen], The Black Hole

An ambitious sci-fier from the Disney folks, The Black Hole takes place in the future. A quintet of space travelers stumble across a "black hole." Not wishing to be sucked into the void, the crew prepares to flee, but stops long enough to investigate a mysterious space vessel near the entrance of the hole. Manning this craft is mad scientist Dr. Hans Reinhardt (Maximillian Schell), who intends to explore the black hole in hopes of finding the universe's energy source. The cast includes Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Yvette Mimieux, and others. The Black Hole marked one of the Disney company's first PG-rated films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Maximilian Schell - Dr. Hans Reinhardt
Anthony Perkins - Dr. Alex Durant
Robert Forster - Capt. Dan Holland
Joseph Bottoms - Lt. Charles Pizer
Yvette Mimieux - Dr. Kate McGraw

Anchor Bay's DVD of The Black Hole does a fine job of resurrecting this cult favorite for a new audience. This two-sided disc offers the film in both full-frame and widescreen transfers. Both suffer from the occasional bit of speckling around reel changes, but they also offer a sharp, vibrantly colorful transfer that is a monumental improvement on Buena Vista's atrocious original video transfer of this title. One minor caveat with the widescreen transfer: it lacks anamorphic enhancement for widescreen televisions. However, it's 2.35:1 aspect ratio fully restores the film's impressive sense of scope to its full glory. In terms of audio, the disc offers a crystal-clear Dolby Digital 5.1 remix that allows The Black Hole's soundtrack (especially its magnificent John Barry score) to live up to the punch of the film's visuals. Extras are limited to the film's original theatrical trailer and a slide show that includes stills, poster art, and the occasional conceptual design sketch. The widescreen side of The Black Hole disc also restores an overture to the film that hasn't been seen since its theatrical run. All in all, =The Black Hole is an impressive looking and sounding DVD that offers the best way to see this film in a home theater format. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide