The Boatniks
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Movie Reviews of The Boatniks
Movie Review: Another Disney DVD ripoff
Summary: 1 Stars
Today I had the chance to buy two DVDs at the same price. One was of the restored version of "The High and the Mighty", with two discs--one containing a beautiful widescreen transfer of the film with accompanying audio commentary anchored by Leonard Maltin; the other stuffed with special features on the making of and restoration of the film. The other was a full-screen version of "The Boatniks" from Disney DVD, with an outtakes reel and nothing else. Both items were offered at $14.99. So, which do you think was the better deal?
The difference between these two packages pretty much sums up everything wrong with Disney DVD's latest botched release. "The Boatniks" is a zippy, funny farce from 1970, which is eons better than some of the Disney films that followed it. Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers and Don Ameche anchor the fine cast, and there are hysterical performances by Phil Silvers and Mickey Schaunessy leading a gang of diamond thieves as they try to smuggle their catch out of Long Beach harbor without getting caught. The film is a riot. Too bad I can't recommend such a cheap, cheesy packaging of this fine film, especially since for the same price I can support the film restoration efforts of John Wayne's Batjac company, who, through Paramount Home Video, has rescued a long-lost film and given it a second life on home video at a reasonable price considering the content. Disney DVD, however, couldn't care less about restoration and giving its consumers a good deal on its ridiculously overpriced product. So no matter how much I'd like the film, no sale on this one.
Just think about it. My senior citizen parents just bought a widescreen TV. Now Mom won't buy a DVD unless its in widescreen format so it will look good on her TV. These TVs are becoming more and more affordable. Before long, most homes will have them. Next thing you know, Disney will be rereleasing all these films in "special edition widescreen" formats and will expect everyone who bought fullscreen versions to repurchase (at an even more ridiculous price) these special editions that they should have offered in the first place.
So, there you have it. The reasoning behind the ripoff. Don't be fooled into buying substandard product. This version of "The Boatniks" just doesn't cut it.
* (out of *****) for the presentation of this classic film.