A widowed innkeeper battles a band of disaster-groupies from the future with explosive results. Ben Wilson (Jeff Daniels) and his daughter (Ariana Richards) buy an old Victorian mansion and begin renovations with plans to open up an inn. Their first guests are a strange and mysterious covey of tourists led by the eccentric Madame Lovine (Marilyn Lightstone). In an emotionally charged and suspenseful race against time, Ben must battle the seductive time bandits as well as his own personal demons in an attempt to save his daughter and the town from total destruction. In GRAND TOUR, David Twohy (Pitch Black. The Arrival) has created an action-adventure sci-fi thriller that examines a futuristic force of evil – with a climax that leaves the viewer in absolute awe.
For thoughts on The Grand Tour, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Unearthed Films presents The Grand Tour with a great upgrade in the form of a new 1080p master transfer in 1.85:1 that is derived from a 4K scan of the Original Camera Negative. While the source often has a bit of a softer look to the photography, the presentation showcases it well with some terrific detail when it counts. Distinct details in the clothing and production design stand out more than ever before, such as the construction happening at the mansion at the beginning or rubble from some of the disastrous moments in time.
The transfer provides lovely natural film grain absent of any compression artifacts or other such damage. There are fleeting minor nicks and faint scratches that pop up, but there is very little in the way of overly distracting damage or dirt detected here. The film features some impressive colors within the landscape that pop off the screen with a great vibrancy. There are areas of the film which take place more so in shadow which retain a good amount of detail without crush rearing its ugly head. The opening moments in the snow showcases some bright highlights which only begin to clip ever so slightly. Unearthed Films has given this film a brilliant second life.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a formidable LPCM 2.0 track that brings this film to life without issue. The emotive score from Gerald Gouriet is delivered with a warmth and depth of clarity which audiences will appreciate. Dialogue comes through clearly alongside environmental noises which are balanced well with all competing elements. This track shows no obvious signs of age related wear and tear such as hissing, popping or dropouts. The low end adds some texture when appropriate as the tension ratchets up near the end. This disc maintains a grand sense of fidelity which brings this movie to life exactly how it deserves. There are also optional English (SDH) subtitles included for the feature film.
Special Features
- Timescape – Title Sequence: A five-minute alternate beginning with the title of Timescape instead of The Grand Tour.
- Lost To Time – Cannes Promo: A nearly 19-minute virtual interview with editor Ed McNichol who discusses the process of editing a promo to present at the Cannes Film Festival along with his experiences with the main production.
- Production Stills: A selection of stills are provided from the films and production.
- Poster Mockups & Artwork: An array of artwork and marketing material is provided for the film.
- Trailers: The two-minute trailer is provided for The Grand Tour. There are also trailers provided for Dark Side of the Moon, Nightwish and The Unnamable.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Tour is a terrific blend of science fiction intrigue and character-based drama that stands out as an overlooked gem of the ‘90s. Jeff Daniels has a moving everyman quality that unlocks a well of emotion as he is processing the loss of his wife and trying to rebuild his life with his daughter. The science fiction elements are not boosted with unbelievable action sequences, but the reserved nature suits the personal elements of the story. Unearthed Films has provided a new Blu-Ray featuring a rewarding A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. This genre-spanning adventure is well worth a watch from film fans. Recommended
The Grand Tour is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Unearthed Films 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.
