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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.85:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Sided
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Surround
  • French: Dolby Digital Surround
  • Italian: Dolby Digital Surround
  Subtitles
    English, Dutch, Portuguese, English - Hearing Impaired
  Extras

    Quiz Show

    Buena Vista/Buena Vista . R4 . COLOR . 131 mins . M15+ . PAL

      Feature
    Contract

    Quiz Show tells the true story of how contestant Herb Stempel (John Turturro) on the late 1950's quiz show "Twenty One" brought the fixed nature of the show to the awareness of the American people.

    Initially, Stempel was a very successful contestant, being provided with the answers several days before the show, as ratings were high. However, as his popularity started to decline, the shows sponsors decided it was time to find a new contestant, one more popular with the audience. Fortunately for the shows executives, along comes Charles van Doren (Ralph Fiennes) - handsome, intelligent university lecturer with several degrees, and Stempel is asked to take a dive. Stempel agrees with the decision, believing the network executives are going to help set him up with his own TV show - needless to say, this doesn't come through.

    Van Doren agrees to appear on the show, but doesn't want to be spoon fed, he'd rather things be done honestly. However, when the pressure's on and he's asked a question he'd been asked during the interviewing process, van Doren can't resist and takes the proverbial carrot.

    Stempel, unhappy at being shafted, takes his case to the District Attorney and a Grand Jury is convened, with the results being sealed from the public. This action piques the curiosity of Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow), a lawyer working on a Congressional subcommittee, and an inquiry into the operations of "Twenty One" is set in motion.

      Video
    Contract

    The film's picture quality was reasonably good. Given the setting and style of the film you're not going to see anything astounding on the screen, so it's not what I'd consider to be reference material. On the other hand, there aren't any noticeable defects or artifacts from the transfer process - you see what you're supposed to see, and it all looks like it should.

      Audio
    Contract

    Again, it's not the type of film that's going to rock your world. Presented in Dolby Surround I can't say that I noticed anything from any speakers except the center channel, with the possible exception of the film's score, which expanded to use both the left and right channels as well. This is a film where you're supposed to pay attention to the characters and listen to the dialogue, which comes through crystal clear. The only negative point I'll make is that the sound levels might be a little low - I had my amp set to my normal "let's have a good time watching the movie" level, yet it didn't seem to be as loud as most discs at the same volume.

      Extras
    Contract

    What's an extra feature? This disc hasn't got any - not even a trailer. If I could score this section any lower than a '1' I would, just to show my disdain for making this disc a flipper. Hello!! What year is this people???

      Overall  
    Contract

    It's a good film, and I'd recommend people to see it, but for crissakes it's a flipper!! Haven't we evolved past this yet? I know the film's set during the 50's, but this is the 90's - we can sit through a two hour film without an intermission. And where are the extras? This is an Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture - surely there's something interesting you could put on the disc?

    In all: watch it, but I wouldn't bother buying it.


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      And I quote...
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    - Andrew MacLennan
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Pioneer DV-515
    • TV:
          Philips 29PT6361
    • Receiver:
          Denon AVR-2700
    • Speakers:
          Aaron ATS-5
    • Centre Speaker:
          Aaron CC-240
    • Surrounds:
          Aaron SS-120
    • Subwoofer:
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