Wolfgang Petersen’s 1993 political action thriller finally debuts in ultra high definition packed with classic extras in In the line of fire (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, R rated, 2.39: 1 aspect ratio, 129 minutes, $ 24.99).
The story of redemption features guilt-ridden Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood), unable to prevent the death of President John F. Kennedy.
Now that he is nearing retirement, he is called back to the details of protection to prevent an assassin (John Malkovich) from killing the current president, playing an entertaining, scathing and cinematic game of cat and mouse.
A charmingly grave and grumpy Mr. Eastwood is in ancient form, while the maniac Mr. Malkovich plays his stalker to the extreme.
It is by far one of Eastwood’s finest and most textured performances and is complemented by a cast that, in addition to Malkovich, also includes Rene Russo as a romantic interest and fellow agent Lilly Raines and Dylan McDermott as Al D ‘partner. Andrea.
Also, keep an eye out for pop culture stars, including “Saw” killer Tobin Bell as forger, “Fraser” father John Mahoney as Secret Service director, “Veep” political strategist Gary Cole as agent, and former Senator Fred Thompson as the president’s chief of staff.
4K in action: Sony sets a high standard for the release, remastered from the original camera negative, and delivers.
Examples include the initial panoramic views of the nation’s capital, including the National Mall and the White House, detailed sharp images, and views under a crisp blue sky.
Frank and Lilly sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of the reflecting pool looking out over the Washington Memorial at sunset or Frank on the roof with the gleaming white dome of the Capitol behind him, show the visual perfection of the high dynamic range settings.
Consistency shines through everywhere. Frank crossing a DC street in a trench coat at night features pristine clarity and vivid color so lifelike that a viewer can feel like they are looking at him from across the street.
Best extras: Viewers get all of the bonus content from the 2008 Blu-ray release on 4K disc led by an optional director’s commentary track.
Mr. Petersen joins the producer of the 2001 DVD special edition, JM Kenny, who occasionally asks questions, but mostly keeps him company as the director offers a methodical, non-stop look at his masterpiece.
Unsurprisingly, it offers a wealth of information covering the casting, working with Mr. Eastwood (a pure pleasure), Secret Service access and help provided to the team, project research, humor in the set, the visual effects and the details. linked to production design.
Below, a 20-minute promo piece originally on Showtime in 1993 offers a behind-the-scenes look at the film and a look at Secret Service duties. It is narrated by technical advisor Bob Snow and includes interviews with the cast and crew and various agents, even briefly examining the assassinations and assassination attempts of presidents.
Another 20-minute feature film, from 2001, offers a look at the film and the Secret Service with Mr. Snow in conversations that also include Secret Service Deputy Director Kevin Foley, Deputy Director Larry Cockell and Field Agent Rebecca Ediger.
Finally, it’s worth taking a look at the various technologies employed by the Secret Service, which were explored by Agent Lorelei W. Pagano, used to counterfeit counterfeiters, including watermarks, security threads, and color-changing ink.
