Customer Reviews

The Fugitive

5 star:		(169)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

When I first saw 'The Fugitive', I was hoping that it didn't fall into the trap of silliness that most TV-show based feature films have fallen into (remember 'Car 54', or 'Wild Wild West'?). Needless to say, I was more than pleasantly surprised to see that it went WAY beyond my low expectations! Great moments of suspense, action, and plot twists galore!

Harrison Ford's been knocked for not putting much 'feeling' into some of his roles. But if there are emotions he does do well, it's desperation and determined stoicism with a touch of sarcasm... a perfect fit for a fugitive out to clear his name. As well, Tommy Lee Jones is a lock as U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard- he plays the character's somewhat cocky and no-nonsense attitude to perfection. He also gets the best lines, and a pretty good supporting cast playing his U.S. Marshal Service cohorts (including the recently- recognized Joe Pantoliano). It's scenery-chewing at it's best, and definitely an Oscar-worthy perfomance.

Their performances of the two main characters and antagonists is so compelling that, like my fellow reviewers have stated before, I was rooting for the both of them throughout the presentation. It's two 'good guys' against each other, with one helping lead the other to the same end!

When I heard about the Special Edition DVD release, I was kinda bummed. I'd already spent a few bucks on the original release, and never anticipated the possibility of an enhanced version. But, thanks to those wonderful buyers on eBay, I got a good return on my original disc at a minimal loss, and grabbed a copy of the new one.

The new disc isn't half-bad, but doesn't quite match up to the standards of other fully-loaded DVD fare as `T2 Ultimate Edition' or `The Abyss'. It features teasers, trailers, and a few behind-the-scenes bits, including the setup & shooting of the train wreck. Davis even discusses a `flub' following the wreck that was cut out of the original video version, but was then digitally corrected and restored in this DVD release! And no, I'm not gonna tell you about it- you'll have to see it for yourself!

The commentary track by director Andrew Davis and Tommy Lee Jones was not one of the better feature-length commentaries I've experienced. There are parts where neither of them speak for a couple minutes on end, almost like they didn't have that much to say about the movie in the first place. Jones' commentary was minimal, with mostly throwaway-type observations that didn't really add much to the track.

And now, my biggest gripe: Warner is STILL using cardboard snap cases for their digital discs! You'd think they'd've gotten out of the DVD Stone Age by now...

'Late

I've noticed various reviews here have stated that the video quality was impressive. Personally I was quite disapointed.

This was the first Blu-ray I purchased and frankly I was disappointed with the video quality. I realize the film is never going to look as sparkling and clean as more recent films, but the image quality seemed lacking.

It has a soft, washed out 'milky' look and the detail is off and on. Sometimes the close-ups on faces are impressive, but then it will cut to a city shot at night and I really noticed the lack of definition.

Of course much of this flatness comes from the fact that the photography was fairly dull in the first place (the whole film has a 'grey' look), but I still expected something more impressive on the Blu-ray format.

Also the sound is not HD or PCM. It comes with the same audio as the previous DVD.

So my advice, if you only want to collect Blu-rays with superb video & audio quality, this is NOT one of them. But, if you are simply a fan of the film and want the best quality version available, then this is still your best bet.

One of the greatest thrillers of all time, The Fugitive is a textbook example of a thriller that keeps its audience glued without insulting their intelligence. Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), a Chicago surgeon, is wrongly convicted of killing his wife (Sela Ward), escapes from prison and heads back to his hometown in search of the real killer, a mysterious one-armed man that Kimble struggled with in his house after his wife's murder. U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones, in his Oscar-winning role) and his deputies relentlessly pursue Kimble in and around Chicago, always staying a few steps behind.

This movie works on so many levels, but it begins with the actors. Harrison Ford, is one of his best roles, perfectly portrays the dignity and righteous indignation that Kimble feels. He should have received an Oscar nomination for the sheer physical and emotional effort that he put into this character. Jones is a perfect choice for Gerard: He is relentless, shrewd and sarcastic in his quest to track down Kimble. He always projects a smarmy, superior quality that attracts the viewer, yet makes us want him to lose his prey. The terrific supporting cast includes Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas, Daniel Roebuck, and Jeroen Krabbe.

Director Andrew Davis takes the audience along for the chase, and uses Chicago as his landscape, including a busy St. Patrick's Day Parade for one scene. These locations enhance the film by using the city as a maze through which this chase occurs. Another terrific feature is James Newton Howard's score, which manages to add color and tension to scenes, even when there is no dialogue. Perfect all around, from acting, directing, composing and screenplay, The Fugitive should remain a classic.

Vote: 10

First off, I just want to clarify that this is a review of the product, NOT the movie.

The transfer was a complete ripoff, this in no way was a remastered dvd. It has about the same quality as a VHS, the first 2 minutes shows a perfect example how bad the quality of the supposed "Blu-ray" is, the blacks are completely washed out and throughout almost the whole movie the picture is soft.

What a joke.

Although this movie is fantastic, sadly it is one of Harrison Ford's last good performances (other than perhaps "Clear and Present Danger" in 1994). Ford plays Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongly accused of killing his wife. He escapes prison and then sets out to not only avoid recapture, but also prove his innocence. As good as Ford's performance is, this movie is really carried by Tommy Lee Jones who plays Marshall Samual Gerard. His humor and intensity are outstanding. The plot is intriguing with lots of action. This is the first movie I've had the pleasure to see in the theater, on laserdisc, on DVD, and now on HD DVD. The HD DVD transfer is quite good and the sound is improved over the DVD version as well. Highly recommended.

First, Night scenes, the video is bleeding and spots are everywhere almost like VHS tape.
Day scenes are pretty good but not sharp enough to say wow it's blu-ray!
Most of all worst then previously released normal DVDs.

Sound. Also is the worst. Don't say that because this movie is old. Think about the movie 'Blade runner'.

This doesn't has true HD Sound or PCM uncompressed Dolby Digital 5.1.

I don't know why I bought this after reading other peoples' comments in this website.

Trust me, just don't waste your money.

"The Fugitive" is what many adventure films wish they could be: Well-directed, finely casted, intelligently written. Never have I sat through a film that engulfs its viewer on a manhunt while the pursued voraciously searches for evidence to prove his innocence in the shadow of his beautiful wife's murder. Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones are stunning and captivating in their respective roles. Though they are on the opposite ends of the law, you root for them nevertheless because somewhere in the film the real criminal basks in his "perfect" crime.

Thank goodness Harrison Ford was casted into this role as the wrongly-accused Dr. Richard Kimble. He should've been the first choice considered over conceited and self-absorbed Alec Baldwin. Baldwin was originally casted before Ford, but ostentatiously withdrew believing "The Fugitive" was a go-nowhere role for his so-called career. Shows how much he knows. Ford has far more appeal and true connection with a film going audience and succeeds at gaining sympathy and respect in his hunt of the real culprit.

"The Fugitive" was deservedly nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, and though it did not garner the prestigious award, the film is a masterfully well-crafted film only intelligent director Andrew Davis could weave together. Could he be our next Alfred Hitchcock? Hopefully so. "The Fugitive" is a worthy and excellent addition to your video/DVD collection!

warner continues to issue all of their products with the Nasty, NASTY VC-1 codec because it was easy for them to do it both in Blu-ray and hd-dud. And I can see the differences in their releases and other companies who use the FAR more superior AVC. They even stick only to the antiqued douby-digital! Never have I seen a release with a DTS track in any of warners stuff, and it rubs me raw because I usual see the DTS mark at the end of the credits in most of the movies!!!

Loosely based on the 1954 murder case of Sam Sheppard - whose son fights to clear his father's name to this day - 1960s television created an added dose of drama by allowing The Fugitive (the late David Janssen) to escape from prison, and hunt down the man who murdered his wife in cold blood.

Perhaps never in the history of TV was a plotline so ripe for the treatment (and budget) afforded by the big screen - and, perhaps, never has it been done so well.

Harrison Ford plays Doctor Richard Kimble, a Chicago-area vascular surgeon ("What the hell is that?" asks one of his pursuers. "Someone who makes a lot more money than you," answers another in the easy, natural humor of two people who've worked together for years) who seems, at first, too good to be true. A philanthropist respected by the community, loved by his colleagues and adored by his wife, you can't help but wonder if there's trouble in paradise, despite the shadowy presence of Helen Kimble's (Sela Ward, bringing remarkable life to a dead woman, thanks to flashbacks) killer.

Chicago's finest quickly come to the same conclusion, and a damning 911 phone call by the dying victim seals Kimble's fate - a death sentence!

Fate, however, has other ideas. One of four survivors of the most spectacular - and controversial - train wreck ever captured on film, Kimble sets off to blend in to the Windy City's skyline long enough to find the man who took Helen from him. He has plenty of clues to start him on the trail; his biggest enemy not so much his pursuers as time itself.

Deputy United States Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), meantime, is as dogged as his prey; so determined to capture "my man" that, when confronted by the fugitive Kimble and his professed innocence, snaps back, "I don't care!"

Though Gerard isn't "out to solve a puzzle here," Kimble is, and with equal persistence. The plot that led to the death of his wife is revealed in tense, dramatic fashion to the audience as Kimble himself learns it - and learns who has betrayed him.

What remains, of course, is whether his time has run out.

Ford's Kimble is what many people would consider an oxymoron: A truly benevolent, honest doctor. Best known as the almost-reckless Indiana Jones, Ford plays Kimble as a highly intelligent man who uses his wits and a level head to keep one step in front of not one, but two groups of adversaries.

Hot on Kimble's heels, Jones' Gerard does Ford one better by creating a lawman walking the thin line between pursuit and obsession. "Never argue with the big dog," Gerard admonishes his team, when Kimble shows up "not dead yet" - proof, yet again, that "the big dog is always right."

Hunter and prey, cat and mouse, Jones and Ford present real people trapped in a deadly game. The viewer quickly bonds with Kimble and roots for his success, while not quite able to root against Gerard. "It's alright if you catch him," we seem to be saying, "just, not yet!"

A supporting cast including Joe Pantoliano, Jeroen Krabbe and Julianne Moore (in a small, but pivotal role) is equally up to the task; never did anyone's performance feel like they were acting, and the rich range of emotions coupled with crisp pacing, a riveting storyline and a properly brassy soundtrack adds up to one of the finest films ever made.

Virtually every person on Earth has seen The Fugitive; buy the DVD, and you'll never forget why.

One of the greatest mystery films of the last decade. Chock full of so much suspense, it can be easily mistaken for a thriller.

As far as the Blu-ray edition goes, 5 out 5 stars for picture and sound. The skin tones are well rendered and the blacks almost never clip. The sound is house shaking without an ounce of distortion. The picture is sharper then I remember even from the theatrical presentation.

Highly recommended.