In the Line of Fire Studio:
Columbia Tristar
Starring:
Clint Eastwood
John Malkovich
Renee Russo
John Mahoney		 Director:
Wolfgang Petersen		 Regional code:
2		 Disc Format:
Single Sided, Single Layer
Screenplay:
Jeff Maguire		 Aspect Ratio:
2.35:1		 Anamorphic:
Yes
Year:
1993		 Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital 2.0		 Subtitles:
None
Genre:
Action
Extra disc featues:
DVD Trailer		 Length:
123mins
   

Review of the DVD - rating: * * 1/2

Review of the film - rating: * * * 1/2
This disc is a bit of a throwback for Columbia. Originally scheduled to be released mid-Summer 1998 while the company were still finding their DVD feet, it has brought baggage from that era with it. Consequently the title lacks the finesse of their other recent releases.

That's not to say that the quality ain't good, mind - it is. The picture is pin sharp, with very minimal artefacts (impressive on a film of this length). The colour rendition is quite superb - check out the low-sun kissed streets at the film's start. The sound is similarly flawless, with plenty of motorbikes and gunshots flying around to satisfy the 5.1 brigade.

But that's it, sadly - no commentary as originally promised, and not even a humble biography in sight. The DVD trailer is a new one at least, but is not much compensation. And in case you were wondering - this is the BBFC cut 15 certificate version. Ah well, if you do like the film, at least this looks and sounds the business.

 This great yarn concerning a Secret Serviceman's attempts to stop a lone assassin getting to the US President is hampered by poor execution. Eastwood is unconvincing, the script has cliches for Africa, and the spurious, vanity romance between Clint and fellow agent Renee is nothing short of excruciating.

On the plus side, Malkovich just about single-handedly saves the film with a mesmerising - if broad - performance, and in the last half an hour, Petersen slips into his well worn action shoes very comfortably. Annoying it wasn't much better, really.