Sentinel is an uneven yet still creepy supernatural-horror flick with some good performances from a respectable ensemble cast that includes Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Eli Wallach and Christopher Walken. The Blu-ray released by Shout Factory has above average video and audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus material.
The Sentinel
(1977)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Horror, Suspense/Thriller
Shout Factory | R – 92 min. – $27.99 | September 22, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Michael Winner Writer(s): Jeffrey Konvitz (novel); Michael Winner and Jeffrey Konvitz (screenplay) Cast: Chris Sarandon, Cristina Raines, Martin Balsam, John Carradine, Jose Ferrer, Ava Gardner, Arthur Kennedy, Burgess Meredith, Sylvia Miles, Deborah Raffin, Eli Wallach DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 1.0) |
** Click Here to Purchase The Sentinel on Blu-ray from Amazon.com **
PLOT SYNOPSIS
“There must forever be a guardian at the gate from hell… she was young, she was beautiful. She was the next.”
When a beautiful model, Alison Parker (CRISTINA RAINES), rents an apartment in a gloomy New York brownstone, little does she realize that an unspeakable horror awaits her behind its doors… a mysterious gateway to hell. Alison likes her eccentric new neighbors, so it comes as a shock when she’s told that, except for a strange old priest, she’s the only tenant.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5
A bit light but still impressive; this basic release has no slip cover or reversible artwork.
Audio Commentaries – There are three tracks included: 1) Writer/Producer Jeffrey Konvitz; 2) Writer/Producer/Director Michael Winner; and 3) Actress Cristina Raines. All three are fine though it’d been nice if they were together. Still each, with the help of a moderator, individual recounts their experience filming The Sentinel.
Interview (23:56; HD) – In this new feature, assistant director Ralph S. Singleton gives an interview about his contribution on the film.
Last up is the Theatrical Trailer (2:35; HD), TV Spots (1:39; HD) and some Still Galleries (Movie stills, B&W Press Photos, Lobby cards and posters).
VIDEO – 3.75/5
Shout Factory releases The Sentinel on Blu-ray with a supposedly new 1080p high-definition transfer and presented with a 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio. I say supposedly as it’s been mentioned on other sites but not on the back cover; however beyond that there is a fair amount of dust marks, scratches and other flaws. There was even one shot where there was cell disintegration or flare around the left and top edges. On the plus side, colors appear to be bright without being pumped up and detail, for the most part, is half decent though not great.
AUDIO – 3.5/5
The film comes with a solid if not limited DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track which offers good dialogue levels while other elements, such as ambient noises and the score round things out all via the center speaker.
OVERALL – 3.0/5
Overall, The Sentinel is an uneven yet still creepy supernatural-horror flick with some good performances from a respectable ensemble cast that includes Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Eli Wallach and Christopher Walken. The Blu-ray released by Shout Factory has above average video and audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus material.
Published: 09/20/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.