Product Details

• Actors: Matt Salinger, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty, Darren McGavin, Michael Nouri
• Directors: Albert Pyun
• Writers: Stephen Tolkin, Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, Lawrence Block
• Producers: Joseph Calamari, Menahem Golan, Tom Karnowski, Stan Lee, Stephen Tolkin
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: MGM
• DVD Release Date: September 20, 2011
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005E7SF7E
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,156 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While it can't hold a candle to the blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger, this 1990 screen adaptation of Cap's origins and first battles with his longtime nemesis, the Red Skull, holds its modest own in the action-adventure department despite some serious budgetary challenges. Matt (son of J.D.) Salinger plays both Steve Rogers and his heroic alter ego, Captain America, who is spawned from a World War II experiment to create "super soldiers." Cap immediately locks horns with his Axis number, the Red Skull (Scott Paulin), before becoming entombed in ice for the better part of the 20th century. Upon emerging from deep freeze, he discovers that the Red Skull has been fronting a crime syndicate in the employ of a rogue American military group with designs on controlling the country. Cap is subsequently forced to rescue the president (Ronny Cox) from the Skull's clutches while also contending with the girlfriend (Kim Gillingham), now elderly, he left behind prior to his wartime disappearance, and her look-alike daughter (also Gillingham). As mentioned by Salinger and director Albert Pyun in a 20-minute making-of featurette included on the Blu-ray, Captain America was plagued by production problems almost immediately after The Cannon Group purchased the rights to the character from Marvel. Pyun's attempts to lend comic book brawn to his film were further hampered by a threadbare special effects budget (the effects still look dreary two decades later), and the whole affair was pulled from theatrical release in 1990, only to resurface two years later in shoddy VHS and manufacture-on-demand editions. Shout Factory's widescreen HD Blu-ray looks exceptionally well--often too well, underscoring the corners cut in visual effects--but its restoration probably won't elevate the 1990 Captain America beyond its current status as a curious, well-intentioned, but ultimately minor effort to bring Cap's adventures to the big screen. --Paul Gaita

Product Description

The Red Skull defeats Captain America in 1941, but the super hero is thrown into suspended animation. Captain America is revived 50 years later to face the Red Skull one more time.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

This product is expected to play back in DVD Video "play only" devices, and may not play in other DVD devices, including recorders and PC drives.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 85 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars The price of a 2011 DVD, the quality of the 1992 LaserDisc September 11, 2011

By Mattman Omega

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let me start by saying this review has nothing to do with the movie itself. For better or for worse, this movie is what it is...and if you don't know what that is, you probably shouldn't make this a "blind-buy". I grew up with it, so I happen to like it...but I do not like this DVD.

Immediately, it starts out with a warning, claiming something along the lines of "This is the best source we could find." TRANSLATION: "We couldn't be bothered to make a new transfer, so enjoy this old one. And, thanks for the cash."

As far as I can tell, MGM's MOD edition recycles the one made for the 1992 VHS and LaserDisc versions. Video is a cropped 4x3 full screen presentation. I had hoped it was open-matte, but after comparing it to a UK edition, I am certain it has been cropped.

And, like the '92 VHS and LD releases, quality is quite poor. Colors are washed-out, the picture is soft, there is heavy grain, and loads of rainbow-artifacts grace the image.

Oh, I forgot to mention the compression problems. Yep, this baby has some pretty big areas of block noise during some of the fast moving action scenes (like the machine gun fire at night during the early portions of the film).

Audio is Dolby stereo and sounds adequate, but has some occasional pops. And, I also think I heard some mild "hiss" at times. However, given that I am sending this back to Amazon in a hurry, I don't have time to check it more thoroughly.

As for extras, a theatrical trailer is included. I would say "hooray", but the quality of the movie itself has left me quite apathetic.

In closing, MGM has delivered the legal equivalent to all the "bootlegs" floating around the "grey market"...complete with being on a DVD-R disc. If you're desperate to own the '92 "Captain America" on DVD, be my guest...but prepare to be underwhelmed.

Thanks, MGM :(

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Captain America: The Star Spangled Avenger Almost Makes it to the Big Screen; but Has to Settle for VHS May 14, 2006

By The Green Hornet "Barry"

Format:VHS Tape

I always liked this movie. It was Marvel's answer to Tim Burton's big budget Batman. Although it received a European release, it was shelved in the U.S. until 1992. I thought it was a good low budget attempt to bring the Joe Simon-Jack Kirby comic book character to life. I can remember seeing the movie poster for it at the theater and being excited, "Captain America: Coming in 1990". This movie has a great cast: Matt Salinger, Scott Paulin, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty, Darren McGavin, Carla Cassola, Melinda Dillion, Michael Nouri, Kim Gillingham Francesca Neri and Billy Mumy. It was directed by Albert Pyun.

In Italy during WW2, Dr. Maria Vaseli (Carla Cassola) creates a process which transforms child musical prodigy Tadzio de Santis into the hideously scarred 'Red Skull' (Scott Paulin) for the Nazis. Dr. Vaseli escapes to America where she perfects the process and helps the American Military transform Polio-ridden Steve Rogers into the Star Spangled Avenger 'Captain America' (Matt Salinger). Aided by two Resistance Fighters (Scene deleted), Captain America to a hidden Nazi Fortress, Captain America encounters his nemesis, the Red Skull, where he is defeated and strapped to a rocket that the Nazis are planning to launch launch at the White House to kill President Roosevelt. Cap heroically manages to stop the rocket from crashing into the White House; but it crashes in the Alaskan Tundra where he is frozen for the next 50 years.

While Captain America is frozen, the Red Skull and plots and successfully carries out the deaths of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King with the help of a group of international businessmen and General Fleming (Mumy/McGavin). Now, they are planning on kidnapping President Kimball (Cox) and controlling his mind to do their evil bidding. Luckily for the Red, White and Blue, Cap is accidently found by an Alaskan Surveying Team and thawed out where upon he tried to return home and while he finds that things have drastically changed; Captain America is torn between duty and the love of his former girlfriend, Bernice (Gillingham). Sharon, Bernice's daughter (also played by Gillingham) try to stop these evil conspirators.

Music was provided by Southside Johnny, Barry Goldberg and one of the Neville Brothers. It's theme song "Home of the Brave" is very moving.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars BE WARNED, a good version, but very disapointing DVD quality. September 10, 2011

By frankh

Format:DVD

Seen on TV many years ago, this Captain America version stands up very well today, however, the master that this DVD is made from, is of very poor quality. OK, this is an Authentic " Region O " import, but most (not all) DVD's made available this way, that I have seen, are from top quality, crystal clear, source material, but this is a disappointing, dark, grainy version on the DVD, similar to the lowest VHS picture quality, you could possibly imagine, maybe 1 out of 10 & the sound is not much better at 3/10.
Overall, a very disappointing DVD, of so poor quality that it won't be added to my collection. The day's when buyers & collector's, like myself, would accept inferior quality material, just to own your very own copy, are long gone & I won't lower my standards, as rubbish is still rubbish, no matter what format it is presented in.
BE WARNED, don't waste your money!
( The 2 star rating is for the DVD quality only! )