Black Sunday
Paramount Pictures (1977)
Action, Drama, Thriller
In Collection
#533
6*
Seen ItYes
(6/13/2011)
097360885545
IMDB   6.5
165 mins USA/English
DVD  Region 1   R
Robert Shaw Major David Kabakov
Bruce Dern Captain Michael J. Lander
Marthe Keller Dahlia Iyad
Bekim Fehmiu Mohammad Fasil
Fritz Weaver FBI Agent Sam Corley
Steven Keats Robert Moshevsky
Michael V. Gazzo E. Muzi
William Daniels Alan Pugh
Walter Gotell Colonel Riat
Victor Campos Nageeb
Joseph Robbie Himself
Director John Frankenheimer
Producer Robert Evans
Ernest Lehman
Ivan Moffat
Alan Levine
Robert L. Rosen
Writer Ernest Lehman
Ivan Moffat
Kenneth Ross
Thomas Harris

Bruce Dern is ideally cast as Lander, a crazed Vietnam veteran, in Black Sunday . Lander joins terrorists Dahlia ( Marthe Keller ) and Fasil ( Bekim Fehmu ) in a plot to create a bloodbath at the annual Super Bowl. Piloting the ubiquitous Goodyear blimp, Lander is to ram the aircraft into the capacity Orange Bowl crowd, then fire thousands of poisoned darts into the fleeing spectators. Israeli military officer Kabakov ( Robert Shaw ) struggles to thwart Lander's plan before it comes to fruition. As unbelievable as it may sound on paper, Black Sunday is wholly credible on film. — Hal Erickson
Edition Details
Chapters 24
Release Date 10/14/2003
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles English
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Mono [CC]
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Mono
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 11/30/2003
Owner Thomas Eisenmann
Store WalMart
Purchase Price $5.88
Condition Excellent
Reviewed Widescreen Review
Bit Rate 448 KB
Anamophic Yes
Links IMDB

Features
Anamophic
Features Not Specified

Widescreen Review
Story Synopsis:
Michael Lander (Dern) is a Vietnam vet who joins up with Dahlia (Keller) and her group of terrorists in a plan involving the Goodyear Blimp on Superbowl Sunday. When Israeli leader Kabakov (Shaw) discovers what they are up to, he chases the maniacs in a helicopter and does what he can to stop the destruction as the terror-filled fans fight to flee the scene. "Black Sunday" is based on the novel by Thomas Harris. (Tricia Littrell)

DVD Picture:
There are definite dated characteristics in this 2.35:1 anamorphically enhanced DVD picture. Contrast seems low at times, and the darker scenes are very limited in visual information. However, in the brighter scenes, the color scheme is generally well balanced, though fleshtones can appear a bit brownish at times. Sharpness and detail can be quite satisfying, though a soft focus is inherent in the filmmaking. There is a minor flickering noticed with brightness in a few scenes. Edge enhancement is evident, and there is also some pixelization. Much of what is mediocre about the picture is related to the source element, which is revealing of film grain, dirt, and a few artifacts. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
This Dolby® Digital 5.1 soundtrack is a commendable remastering effort, especially with regard to to the presence of atmosphere. This soundtrack repurposing seems to have been sourced from original stereo recording elements, noticeable particularly with the music. The restoration of the vintage audio is remarkable in that background noise is particularly low. Fidelity is dated but pristine. Some deep bass enhancement has been incorporated. (Perry Sun)