Bwana Devil (3-D) [Blu-ray]

I saw BWANA DEVIL in Philadelphia, PA, probably on the last Sunday of 1952. Until last night, that was the only time I had even seen this movie. I remember the natives' spears coming off the screen and the people in the front rows putting up their hands or ducking. Frankly, that's all I remember of the film itself. I also remember that I thought that the film was terrible! We have a home theater which is equipped with, among other things, a 3D projector and a 110" screen. I have purchased quite a few 3D Blu-ray discs and I really wanted to own this one as it was the first full-length color 3D feature-length film and is therefore very important in film history (it did set off the 3D craze of 1953-1954). The disc arrived on July 30 but we waited to watch it last night (August 1). And do you know what? It's STILL a terrible movie! BUT --- if you are a film lover AND if you have the ability to show 3D movies, you will definitely want to own this disc. Actually everyone can show this film in 3D because the disc contains an "anaglyph" (red-blue) version and the disc comes with one pair of red-blue glasses (if you need more, Amazon has them at very low prices). Unfortunately, if you watch this version, you will see the film essentially in monochrome - Black & White - as there appears to be no way to reproduce full color using the anaglyph method. The disc also contains a "flat" (2D) full-color version but, believe me, THAT is not worth watching (unless you can only watch the 3D version using the anaglyph system which, as I mentioned, shows the movie only in B&W and you do want to see it in full color). There are a couple of extras: Mike Ballew's presentation of the history of BWANA DEVIL is excellent and well-worth watching (it alone is almost worth the price of the disc in my opinion). Plus there are two previews. Even though BWANA DEVIL is a very poor film, it is well-worth owning just for its historical importance. As I mentioned, it was the first full-color sound feature-length film in 3D and it started the 3D "boom" of 1953-54. I have to say that 3 3D Archive and its restoration crew have done a magnificent job of restoring this film - even the Ansco color restoration is superb. And it includes Lloyd Nolan's B&W introduction to the film. The 3D image is excellent and I saw only two or three very brief instances of ghosting. And there is one unintentional effect which both my wife and I noticed: near the beginning of the film, a fly got onto the set and, if you have a large enough screen, you will think there is a fly in your room! Amazing - and funny! I hope Kino-Lorber as well as all associated with the production and distribution of this disc make a lot of money from it. They deserve it! If you've read this review this far, do not hesitate: BUY THIS DISC. (Amazon's current price, $21.98, is a genuine bargain!) Obviously EXTREMELY HIGHLY AND URGENTLY RECOMMENDED! Thank you for your attention to my review. Lawrence H. Bulk

Movie isn't the best but the 3D is fantastic. Im adding on an extra star just because I never thought this would be available. Definitely not one to watch for the movie. Watch it for the 3D!!

OK, this is not a great movie, but it did start a major move into 3D movies back in the 1950s. The plot is weak, the acting is so-so, and the special effects are less than impressive. So why would I give it five stars? The restoration is great, and the 3D effects are good. When you consider when it was made and how primitive the technology for doing 3d was, it's an impressive movie. If you have seen it in 2D, or bad 3D, you will be surprised how much difference having a pristine print to watch makes. If you like 3D, you will like this movie. If you don't like 3D, don't buy it.

This is absolutely great in 3d ! The restoration is truly great and presented here for the first time in all its 3d glory !!

The first of the 50's 3D films. Very dated and not particlarly good even for its time except as a historical document. You need a 3D plyer to get the 3D effects although a small prologue is included in black and white which you see the 3d effect wwith the glasses provided, The filim was remade as The Ghost and the Darkness. Fun to see Nigel Bruce playing someone other than Dr. Watson to Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes.

An exquisite presentation. I couldn't believe how good this looked - PQ and all-round restoration are aces. And what's remarkable is how disciplined and well-integrated the 3D was in only the first feature-length stereoscopic release. Nothing like the gimmicky rush-job its reputation suggested. As with every Golden Age 3D movie I've seen so far, a lot of thought and creativity went into Bwana Devil. The script, not so much. As a film it's certainly watchable, and again better than I was led to believe. Stack is fine in the lead, and there are some nice flourishes. It made me want to watch Ghost and the Darkness again, a film I find vastly underrated. Mike Ballew's bonus featurette was interesting, as always. I also enjoyed the vintage prologue with Lloyd Nolan and Miss USA. Great release.

The film is a really slow pace. However seeing the African scenery is worth the watch. While I tend to love 1950s 3D films for their depth and detail, the shot composition and the 3D depth were very underwhelming in this film.

This 3D disc finally was released. It is no longer possible to buy a new 3D TV. I have one and I wanted to own this film from the day 3D televisions became available. It was the first modern era 3D film and started a wave. It was always a lousy film with bad acting but the 3D was deep and awesome. I'm sure everyome that saw it properly exhibited was enraptured by the depth and items jumping out from the screen. The 3D encoding by the 3D Film Archive is first rate. We need to start a campaign to get tv manufacturers to start selling 3D tvs again.