SHOUT AT THE DEVIL [1976 / 2013] [Blu-ray + DVD] [USA Release]
An Epic So Vast, It Took 2 Years to Create and a Whole Continent to Contain!
Screen legends Lee Marvin and Sir Roger Moore unite on ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ in this epic tale of adventure and revenge. Set in German East Africa just prior to World War I. Shout at the devil is the story of Colonel Flynn O'Flynn [Lee Marvin] and Sebastian Oldsmith [Sir Roger Moore], where the two men have teamed up on a series of illicit poaching raids. Their actions soon catch the eye of the German Commissioner Herman Fleischer [Reinhard Kolldehoff], who uses his authority to enact a terrible punishment. Colonel Flynn O'Flynn and Sebastian Oldsmith embark on a personal campaign against Herman Fleischer, eventually being recruited by the allied forces to take on an even better target, an elusive German battleship.
Also starring Ian Holms and Barbra Parkins. ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ is an exciting mix of Hollywood's finest stars. Join Lee Marvin and Sir Roger Moore on this grand adventure!
FILM FACT: The book which the film is based on is vaguely based on real events, but takes significant artistic licence with historical facts. The main story is loosely based on events concerning the light cruiser SMS Königsberg, which was sunk after taking refuge in Rufiji Delta in 1915. Ivory hunter P J Pretorius had gone on board SMS Königsberg disguised as a native to pace out the ranges for the Navy's guns. In the film the German ship is named SMS Blücher; there was a vessel of this name, but it did not serve in Africa. The film implies that Portugal became a co-belligerent with Britain against Germany when the First World War broke out in August 1914. Although the motives for killing Fleischer are personal, Sebastian Oldsmith is in fact the only major character who is a citizen of a nation actually at war with Germany.
Cast: Lee Marvin, Sir Roger Moore, Barbara Parkins, Ian Holm, Reinhard Kolldehoff, Gernot Endemann, Karl Michael Vogler, Horst Janson, Gerard Paquis, Maurice Denham, Jean Kent, Heather Wright, George Coulouris, Renu Setna, Murray Melvin, Bernard Horsfall, Robert Lang, Peter Copley, Geoff Davidson, Simon Sabela, Shalimar Undi, Joe Mafela, Paul Mafela, Solomon Dungane, Ray Msengana, Nikos Kourtis, Nicole Boshoff (Baby Maria Oldsmith uncredited) and Derek Ware (German crewman uncredited)
Director: Peter Hunt
Producers: Michael Klinger, Robert Sterne and Tony Klinger
Screenplay: Alastair Reid (screenplay), Stanley Price (screenplay) and Wilbur Smith (book/screenplay)
Composer: Maurice Jarre
Cinematography: Michael Reed, B.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Panavision)
Audio: English: 1.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
English: 1.0 Dolby Digital Audio Mono
Subtitles: None
Running Time: 150 minutes
Region: Region A/1
Number of discs: 2
Studio: American International Pictures / ORION Pictures / Shout! Factory
Andrew's Blu-ray Review: ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ [1976] is aA gratifying brilliant British War film. The title itself is an interesting choice since its meaning is never made entirely clear until the final moments. But when it does become clear, viewers will hopefully be left with a satisfying smile on their face, especially after waiting 150 minutes to finally understand its reference. 'Shout at the Devil' entertains mostly through its characters. A small but colourful, almost cartoonish cast of individuals, each pursuing their own egotistical goals, they are a memorable eccentric bunch, including the so-called protagonist.
German Commander Herman Fleischer [Reinhard Kolldehoff] German Commander of Southern Province is a caricature practically ripped off from some unknown comic strip. A dogged overweight oaf that rides a white donkey, the poor man is given little respect by African locals in his province, his military superiors and hilariously much less by the film's pair of reluctant heroes.
The first of which, and arguably the film's main attraction, is Lee Marvin in a noteworthy performance that easily justifies reasons for recommending ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL.’ Lee Marvin plays gin-guzzling, Irish-American poacher Colonel Flynn O'Flynn, a ridiculously silly-sounding name we're left to wonder if it is real or made-up because he's hiding from authorities. Lee Marvin is a lovable, defiantly unruly scallywag that understandably gets on everyone's nerves, but so much fun, you don't want to get rid of him altogether.
Working alongside him in an equally worthy performance is Sir Roger Moore as foolishly gullible British aristocrat Sebastian Oldsmith. Taking a break from his A-list turn as MI6 spy legend James Bond, Sir Roger Moore effortlessly plays the easily susceptible gentleman with cool haughtiness and the sort of self-confident, well-mannered chap that makes him an easy target for the drunken charms of Flynn O'Flynn. A wonderfully uproarious highlight is seeing Sir Roger Moore dressed in German garb to collective taxes from the African tribes, but to the dismay of Colonel Flynn O'Flynn's mute servant Mohammed [Ian Holm]in a memorable portrayal, whereas Sebastian Oldsmith's sympathetic side has him doing the opposite of the intended scam. Adding a dash of seriousness into the mix is Barbara Parkins as Flynn O'Flynn's understandably discontented daughter Rosa O'Flynn. Her presence is interestingly used as both a small wedge between Colonel Flynn O'Flynn and Sebastian Oldsmith's friendship, because the younger two eventually fall in love and marry, as well as the bridge that brings them closer.
A blend of silly farce that reminds me of classic Hollywood filmand family drama that enjoys exposing the domestic struggles of getting along with strangers, the film has no qualms of exploring the darker side. Indeed, switching from comedy to the sombre realities of war in the third act with ease, Alastair Reid and Stanley Price's script unexpectedly grows very dark as the narrative suddenly becomes an obsessed pursuit of vengeance. At the start of World War I, Fleischer goes from chasing after Colonel Flynn O'Flynn and Sebastian Oldsmith frantically hunting Herman Fleischer. Once the story has filmgoers hooked with laughter, the character's efforts change to hesitant participants in defeating the German Empire.
Like any Great War film, the best stories are those based on small, little-known events which contributed something significant in the battlefield. 'Shout at the Devil' is thankfully no different. Very loosely inspired by the sinking of the SMS Königsberg (Königsberg-class cruiser) and named after Königsberg, the capital of East Prussia and based on the novel of the same name by Wilbur Smith, much of the focus and attention is placed on the characters. And while the lead up to those events is engaging and amusingly entertaining, it does sadly feel somewhat slow and plodding in a few spots.
Director Peter R. Hunt, best known for his work as editor on several James Bond features but also for helming the oddball entry in the series was ‘On Her Majesty's Secret Service’ and does a really reasonably good job behind the camera. With excellent, sometimes stunning cinematography by Michael Reed, wide landscape shots show the idyllic beauty of the land while also serving as an ironic backdrop to the horrors soon to come. 'Shout at the Devil' is a largely forgotten British war film and may not be in the top tier towards becoming a classic, but it deserves a wider audience, which hopefully it will find its way on to everyone who ons a Blu-ray player.
This rollicking adventure film features a rather odd pairing of two old school cinematic stars, Lee Marvin and Sir Roger Moore. At times you might say it’s Lee Marvin vs. Sir Roger Moore. Especially when the two engage in one heck of a comical brawl that brings to mind that was featured in ‘The Quiet Man’ between Duke Wayne and Victor McLaglen.
SHOUT AT THE DEVIL MUSIC TRACK LIST
O’REILLY’S DAUGHTER (uncredited) (Traditional) (Arranged by Arthur Absalom)
AS RIVERS RUN DEEP (uncredited) (Music by Maurice Jarre) (Lyrics by Georges Sigara)
THE WEDDING MARCH (uncredited) (Music by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy)
Blu-ray Image Quality – ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ is brought to you via this Blu-ray release with a really excellent 1080p image presentation and is enhanced with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio that shocks and amazes you considering the age of the film. Despite showing one or two moments of average image resolution, the majority of the video image is highly detailed. Facial complexions are surprisingly revealing, exposing every wrinkle and blemish in the faces of actors, while fine lines in the furniture, clothing and surrounding foliage are sharply defined and distinct. Contrast is spot on throughout, allowing for outstanding clarity and visibility in the distance, and giving viewers a chance to appreciate Michael Reed's wonderful cinematography. Blacks are rich and deep, which provide the high-definition transfer with an attractive cinematic appeal. Colours are vibrant and richly-saturated, wonderfully complements the story's comic aspects while also contradicting its darker features. Overall, it is a totally fantastic image quality, for a little remembered classic British war film.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ also shouts loudly and impressively with just a strong 1.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Mono soundtrack. Dialogue reproduction is precise and crystal-clear in the centre, delivering every intonation in the voices and making every conversation perfectly audible. Imaging is wide and welcoming, creating a nice and wonderfully engaging soundstage, with mid-range that's detailed and very well-defined. Every instrument and note in the musical score of Maurice Jarre is clear and distinct, while atmospherics in the background broaden the sound field with amusing effectiveness. Low-bass is generally limited and on weaker end but appropriate with good response for a film of this vintage and calibre. In the end, the sound mix does the film justice and is a fitting complement to the story.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Photo Gallery: Here we have a limited amount of promotional photo images, though the images you view are really great, especially shown in high-definition. This feature runs by itself, meaning automatically advancing the still pictures every few seconds.
Finally, ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ is sadly a largely forgotten British War film that honestly deserves a bit more attention and TLC love. ‘SHOUT AT THE DEVIL’ is an entertaining mix of British farce and action adventurous drama about the ways in which war interrupts idyllic pursuits of happiness. From director Peter R. Hunt, the film stars Lee Marvin and Sir Roger Moore who are totally wonderfully and very memorable performances as two polar opposites who find a happy middle ground in the end of the film. The Blu-ray arrives with a surprisingly excellent audio and video presentation, but supplements are sadly lacking, as I am sure there are some behind-the-scenes documentaries. In the end, the overall package is still good and the film makes up for the lack of any extras and despite this I have always loved this film when I saw it in the cinema, now everyone can enjoy it on their Home Cinema set-up when you feel like watching a big budget blockbuster film and if you have never seen this film, then you are in for a real treat and it made my dreams come true now it has been released on a fantastic Blu-ray disc. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
