The art of the made-for-tv movie is one that does not hold the same place as it did back before the “Golden Age of television” that we have been experiencing for the past decade or so. Non-theatrical titles that are released these days are often just as strong if not markedly better than what we get from major studios theatrically. There was once a time this was not the case, as made-for-television films were kind of expected to be a bit lacking in comparison to the A-list titles Hollywood had on the silver screen. That is not to say there was not a lot to marvel at on the small screen. On the contrary, the freedom and lower stakes of a television product resulted in some truly inventive and bizarre creative endeavors that serve as something of a perceived fever dream to those who happened to be around to catch it. One such collaboration was the 1978 Rankin/Bass production The Bermuda Depths, which saw the holiday special creators coming together with Japanese director Tsugunobu Kotani. The mixture of drama, fantasy, romance, mystery and action kept this one a wild ride for classic tv fans.
This unbelievable tale begins in an appropriately dreamy way as our protagonist Magnus (Leigh McCloskey) is found napping away on a gorgeous Bermuda beach. He is dreaming of a simpler time as a child when he was joyously playing on the beach with his friend Jennie, often observing turtles. While the time with Jennie and the turtle was magical in more ways than one, this was also around the time his father perished under unknown circumstances during a storm. It is the tragic memories that stick with an adult Magnus, who has returned after some years adrift in his own life to reconnect with his friend, Eric (Carl Weathers). Magnus is trying to find some stability in his life while trying to get some of his own questions answered about his father’s death. The person who he thinks might be able to do this is Dr. Paulis (Burl Ives), who has been helping Eric to finish his master’s degree in marine biology. While the two are doing some intense exploration of the sea, the return of Magnus brings about some unusual developments that are hard to explain.
The major mystery and magical moments reside with the unusual young woman Magnus meets who calls herself Jennie Haniver (an ethereal Connie Sellecca). The locals of the island believe that Magnus must be having a joke played on him, as this is the name of a sea creature of local folklore. To say that The Bermuda Depths goes to some wild places would be an understatement. It is not exactly a good film, but it is that type of cheesy and unbelievable that can be a lot of fun, especially if you have a nostalgic connection to the film. Those going into the project fresh, such as myself, might find it too ridiculous or slow from a modern perspective, but it does have a lot to offer if you give it a chance. You have Carl Weathers and Burl Ives putting in their over-the-top best to compensate for a relatively uninspired McCloskey. There are beautiful Bermuda scenery shots complemented by an entrancing Connie Sellecca. You even have a giant turtle attacking a helicopter in one sequence that feels like a child’s imagination come to life. The film is corny a large portion of the time, but that is a big reason why many love these throwbacks. If you go in with the right expectations, you will probably have a blast with this one.
Video Quality
The Bermuda Depths comes to Blu-Ray courtesy of the Warner Archive in an absolutely stunning 1080p transfer derived from a recent 4K scan of the original camera negative. The film is a bit of an oddball, as it was broadcast in 1.33:1 domestically on television and 1.85:1 theatrically in international territories. Both versions are included on this disc so viewers can choose their preference, and both versions are showstoppers. Colors pop off the screen with a vibrancy that would boggle the minds of the audience who saw this one when it first aired. You only need to take a look at the crystal blue water to gain a deep appreciation for this transfer. The underwater sequences are incredibly clear given the way they were filmed, and the open-air portions of the film make you feel like you are watching a modern movie. That’s not to say that the filmic quality is compromised in the least; there is plenty of natural grain that yields spectacular detail. There is no hint of compression artifacts or banding to be found. Warner Archive has really pulled out all of the stops on this one.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with a strong DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that properly preserves the original sound aesthetic. Normal dialogue is crystal clear without ever being compromised by special effects or score. The more kinetic moments along with the lively weather sounds create a spacious track that is more nuanced than you might expect. The enjoyable Maury Laws score is treated respectfully and balanced well within the mix. This track provides a presentation free of any major defects or digital anomalies that would compromise the enjoyment of the film. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for those who desire them.
Special Features
- 1.85:1 International Theatrical Version: Warner Archive wisely includes both the original 1.33:1 US Broadcast Version and this international version that was shown abroad in theaters. The international aspect ratio cannot be viewed with the audio commentary track.
- Audio Commentary: Author/ Film Historian Amanda Reyes (Are You in the House Alone? A TV Movie Compendium: 1964-1999) and Kindertrauma co-founder Lance Vaughan provide a very interesting, factually rich commentary track that gives you a historical context for the film, as well as many details surrounding the production and release of the film. Reyes takes point for most of the track with Vaughan interjecting his thoughts into her carefully planned overview.
Final Thoughts
The Bermuda Depths is a ridiculous film that you have to love for the crazy turns that it takes. Carl Weathers and Burl Ives do the heavy lifting to make this a fun time, and the scenery and special effects are quite wondrous to take in. While not a film that any ever expected to get such lovely treatment, Warner Archive has given this one a Blu-Ray with a top-tier A/V presentation and a noteworthy commentary track. It is not high art like many of the releases in this line, but it is something that will appeal to those who love a good B-movie.
The Bermuda Depths can be purchased directly through Warner Archive or various other online retailers. The Blu-Ray will be available to purchase on March 30, 2021.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
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