Review: The Odessa File
Blu-ray: The Odessa File (1974)
Based on the novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth, The Odessa File is a taut thriller which unravels against the backdrop of the aftermath of WWII, and the atrocities of the German SS.
Peter Miller (the always watchable Jon Voight), through a moment of fate, comes into possession of a Jewish mans personal diary which catalogues the actions of an evil SS Commander who ruled over a concentration camp during World War II with an iron fist.
Miller slowly uncovers a secret society called ‘ODESSA’, which is formed by former members of the SS.
As his investigations lead him down an ever darker path, it becomes apparent that there are shocking personal links that tie him into the whole organisation.
The 1970’s were a golden time for gripping, slowly paced, well acted, serious thrillers, which didn’t hand hold the audience and allowed time for the narrative to breathe and unfold in a way that often took you by surprise. The Odessa File is a fine example of what this decade produced.
Voight demands your empathy as he runs through a gamut of emotions as Miller. At first seen as a lackadaisical freelance reporter, his (and the viewers) adrenaline begins to flow as page after page of this strange diary leads him down a road for which there is no return.
Accompanied by some great special features (including an amazing 3 minutes with Vic Armstrong which shows just how crazy/brave stuntmen were back then) which add a whole new appreciation to the movie. The Odessa File is yet another jewel in the crown of Powerhouse Films Indicator series of releases.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• 2K restoration
• Original mono audio
• The BFI Interview with Ronald Neame (2003, 67 mins): archival audio recording of the award-winning filmmaker in conversation with Matthew Sweet at London’s National Film Theatre
• The BFI Interview with Oswald Morris (2006, 62 mins): archival audio recording of the celebrated cinematographer in conversation with Anwar Brett at the National Film Theatre
• Safe But Real (2018, 3 mins): new and exclusive interview with stuntman Vic Armstrong
• Foreign Friends (2018, 7 mins): new and exclusive interview with continuity supervisor Elaine Schreyeck
• Super 8 version (17 mins): original cut-down home cinema presentation
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery: promotional photography and publicity material
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with new essays by Carmen Gray and Keith Johnston, Ronald Neame on The Odessa File, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
• UK premiere on Blu-ray
• Limited Edition of 3,000 copies
The Odessa File is released on 27th August 2018 and you can buy it by clicking HERE. ALL money raised by purchasing from Amazon via our website is given back to our listeners and followers in upcoming competition prizes. The more people buy, the bigger our prizes.
Review by Dave (host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Powerhouse Films.