I will not argue about the story,the stars and the production. this is a great all around movie. But it deserved a far better DVD transfer then Fox gave it. They chose to cheap out on a very good soundtrack and pass on a DD 5.1 upgrade, leaving the original (VHS) Dolby 2.0. The film transfer is at times grainy and no better than VHS, in fact we compared it to the tape and found it about the same.The film was transferred to a 2.35 wide screen format. The only "extra" was the original trailer. Fox was certainly after the quick buck on this conversion. We give the film 5 stars for its entertainment value, but 0 for it's DVD technical merits. I guess that makes it a 3 overall. Michael Douglas/Robert Zemekis how could you let Fox do this to your film.
Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is a shy, mousy, albeit highly successful romance novelist who weeps at her own work when she finishes each novel ("Oh, God--that's good!") and, terrified to leave her Manhattan apartment, only dreams of the adventures that her fantasy character, Angelina, lives. All this changes when she receives a letter from her sister's recently deceased husband which contains a treasure map, and receives a phone call from her terrified sister held hostage by the same kidnappers (introducing the hilarious Danny Devito and Zack Norman, two partners-in-crime who happen to be cousins) who insists that Joni must deliver the map to her in Colombia. Reluctantly, the borderline agoraphobic Joni agrees, because it's her sister.
After her bus, supposed to be routed to Cartagena but ends up crashing into a jeep filled with exotic birds in the middle of the mountainous nowhere, and she is ordered to give up her purse containing the map to the same man who murdered her husband, the evil Colonel/Minister of Antiquities/Deputy Commander of the Secret Police Zolo (chillingly portrayed by Manuel Ojeda) she is narrowly rescued by a soldier of fortune named Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas). He becomes embroiled in the struggle for what is at the end of the map, the green, priceless emerald stone. They meet numerous crazy characters along the way and hijinx abounds!
Seeing this movie on blu-ray makes me remember the sheer VISUAL pleasure of its 35mm release! Its 2.35:1 Panavision anamorphic cinematography, lensed by horror maestro John Carpenter alumnus Dean Cundey, is lush. He cut his teeth in Carpenter's early films like Halloween, The Fog, The Thing and Escape from New York, with his trademark cobalt blue night lighting; here, the screen is a tapestry of jungle greenery, flickering orange firelight and lots of wild night hues, complimented with the cool blues of Manhattan at various times of day and night. After this, he would go on to photograph several of director Robert Zemeckis' other works, the Back to the Future trilogy and then Jurassic Park for director Steven Spielberg. His naturalistic lighting lends credibility and yet an elegance and glamour to all these films.
The legendary production designer Lawrence G. Paull, of Blade Runner fame, again works his magic here, making very little, the jungles of Mexico made to be Colombia, look spectacular.
Director Robert Zemeckis, whose career was effectively over after the dismally received (but quite goodj) I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Used Cars, was enlisted by producer Michael Douglas, who recognized the then 28-year-old lad's talent. Douglas, who originally didn't want to play the part of Colton, caved in when all his potential leads declined, and he realized just how rare good parts and scripts are!
Diane Thomas' first script is indeed a gem, filled with action, humor, passionate romance, and a wonderful sensitivity. We really root for our leads! This movie is an example of a cross-genre piece that Hollywood has since always strived to emulate: It has everything; action, romance, suspense, humor, even a rather hot, steamy after-sex scene between our two attractive leads! This makes this movie a favorite in my book. Our two protagonists go through amazing character arcs: The petrified novelista Joan learns how to live. The hardened jungle warrior veteran Jack learns how to love.
The visual quality of the blu-ray release is superb, especially considering that this film was previously only released to DVD in non-anamorphic letterbox. The details, immediately evident in the ruddy, sweaty complexion of Grogan, Angelina's nemesis in the fictitious novelista prologue pre-opening credit sequence, really pop! A real treat!
And, no small sidebar...eureka--the film's original English subtitles are there to explain the Spanish dialogue! The "Cartagena, Colombia" caption before Elaine is captured, as well as Zolo saying "You must be French" to Danny DeVito, who is attempting to do the most ghastly Spanish, Zolo ordering "Assemble your men" to his military commander, and, the most needed, when the bell-maker Juan explains to his henchmen that "this is Joan Wilder, the one who writes the books I read to you on Saturdays!", one of the biggest jokes in the movie. Without the subtitles, in previous versions, if you don't speak Spanish, you're lost.
If I find any faults with this blu-ray release, they apply to to the quality of the soundtrack. The film was released prior to the advent of Dolby Digital 5.1, so one can't expect the kind of in-your-face clarity and realism of today's 5.1 discreet mixes, but, while the sound mixers did a bang-up job of making center dialogue (the crispest I've ever heard it outside a cineplex) completely discreet from the side music and effects channels, the side and rear channels seem to be lacking almost all high frequencies, resulting in a mushy dulling of composer Alan Silvestri's sizzling Latin percussion/synthesized score and the sound of the drizzling rain. The audio also seems to be behind the image one frame in sync. Good news is: Bass, especially in the waterfall, is superb and robust.
(sigh) While the audio is disappointing, to say the least, the gorgeous visual transfer, in addition to the enchanting story and performances, makes me forgive the audio faults (for now anyway, until a future version arrives), and enjoy the ride! I really hope Fox remasters this one more time on blu-ray in the future, as it is one of their most endearing catalog titles, and since blu-ray is supposed to be the ultimate presentation format of the film.
The extras, including interviews with our now much-aged cast (ironically, Danny Devito hasn't aged at all) and sumptuous deleted scenes, which contain much of the same dialogue as their film version counterparts, and replace Joan's female editor Gloria with a seemingly docile male editor but whom we know is attracted to Joan, which adds fuel to her fear and mistrust of men, are wonderful, and enhance my appreciation of an already beloved film.
Put on your aligator boots and prepare for romantic adventure: This one is sure to please!
Buy Romancing the Stone (1984) Now
This review refers to the DVD edition(Twentieth Cent Fox) of "Romancing The Stone"....
I could not even think of going less than 5 stars on this film. It is one that is as enjoyable the 50th time you watch as it was the first. If it was playing on TV, I could not pass it, without stopping to watch it. So when I saw it at such a great price, I could not pass it up. Here's my only problem with it...I'm having a heck of a time trying to decide what genre to put it with. It has something for everybody. Action-Adventure, Comedy, and Romance. It's a Caper and a Cliffhanger.
Here's the story for those that may have missed this gem....
Joan Wilder(Kathleen Turner)is a romance novelist who's hopes and dreams are to be swept off her feet by a man like Jessie, the hero of her adventurous stories. She's about to have her own adventure though, one that includes a man, well... not quite like Jessie,but a hero in his own way, Jack T. Colton(Michael Douglas). He has dreams too. And he's into "short-cuts" to make them come true.
After coming into possession of a mysterious treasure map, Joan finds herself in the jungles of Columbia. She must use the map to bargain for her kidnapped sister's life. Things are not going smoothly though. All kinds of villains are after the map. Enter Jack to the rescue, but are his intentions to help her or is he also after the treasure at the end of the map?? Find out as things go downhill(literally), they are swinging from vines, fighting off crocodiles, and are all the time being chased by bad cops and bumbling thieves, including the likes of Danny DeVito!
Good job by Twentieth Century Fox.I was pretty pleased with the DVD. The picture is one of the better non-anamorphic transfers I have seen. It is presented in widescreen(Aspect Ratio 2.35:1), is clear and bright in all scenes, with great color. The sound(DD Surround), including the always wonderful scoring by Alan Silvestri is very good.All the action is sharp and crisp. The only minor thing about it is the dialouge seemed low at times. I would have to turn it up and then during action sequences, turn it back down a bit. This was only on occassion and not a big problem. No special features, but there is a theatrical trailer and it may be viewed in French(also Dolby Surround) and has subtitles in English and Spanish.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it is a wild and romantic ride. Take it.. and then watch the sequel..."Jewel Of The Nile".
Go for it....and thanks....Laurie.....p.s. It's in my comedy section ...for now!
update: new and improved editions of both films in great 2 pack:Romancing the Stone / Jewel of the Nile
Read Best Reviews of Romancing the Stone (1984) Here
As a family, we love watching this movie, and each of us like it for a different reason. My husband is a big fan of Danny DeVito, and just loves all the blustering he does at his brother Ira. I love the romance of it; Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas have visual sparks flying between them and they are a joy to watch. The kids love the adventure and the action, and as they get older, they too love the romance. It's not really for younger kids (under 10) but for tweens, teens and older, it's a gem. It is set in the 1980s so there is a slight issue with the aging of the film, but the directors were fairly careful to avoid obvious fads; Kathleen Turner's clothes are classic rather than trendy so this film stands the test of time better than many others of the 80s. However. Why in the world aren't there any extras (to speak of?) How about a commentary? Interviews? A making of featurette? Anything...throw us a bone. This is such a well loved movie by many people...surely it deserves a special edition!! This DVD is just bare bones. It's been more than 20 years...how about for the 25th anniversary (or sooner?) Please, Fox studios??
Want Romancing the Stone (1984) Discount?
Joan Wilder is a highly successful romance novelist that longs for the same kind of adventures she writes for her characters. When she receives a call to deliver a map to Columbia in exchange for her kidnapped sister, she is on the next plane. Upon landing, Joan inadvertently takes the wrong bus, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Others after the same map follow her, and try to take it from her, but Jack saves the day. Although he charges to taking stranded ladies to safety, she follows his lead. This is such a great action adventure movie! One of the best I have ever seen. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas have some great on screen chemistry in fact they sizzle.
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Where can I get the sound track? When do the Johnson Brothers tour Philadelphia? I'm there. Now I gotta go get a corndog.
