Plot: What’s it about?
Philip Wayne (Jack Hawkins) is determined to found a settlement in New Zealand, despite a dangerous incident there that almost claimed his life. On an earlier visit, he was tested by a local Maori tribe after he entered a sacred burial tomb. He went back to England after that, but he now has returned his wife and a small group of followers. The land is as lush as they could want, but the settlement won’t be simple to construct. The native Maori tribes are always a concern as well, since some have proven to be open to interaction, but others remain hostile. When Wayne encounters a beautiful Maori woman, he falls instantly, despite being a married man. And as it turns out, the young woman is also spoken for, by a powerful Maori chieftain no less. His adulterous actions have endangered the entire settlement, as the Maori are out for vengeance. Will the settlement be demolished by the angry Maori, or will the settlers be able to defend their new home?
Video: How does it look?
The Seekers is presented in full frame, as intended. The transfer looks good, but not quite great. The print is inconsistent, so some scenes look clean and others well worn. The overall experience is a positive one, especially given the film’s age and not exactly high profile. The color look good, with bright hues that really set off the lush tropical visuals, while contrast is stark and remains solid throughout. So not a picture perfect treatment, but a solid one.
Audio: How does it sound?
The soundtrack is passable, but reserved and forgettable. So it handles the job while you watch, but doesn’t do much beyond the bare basics. The music is clean which is nice, while all the tribal chants sound good as well. The rest of the dialogue is clear and suffers from no real issues. The track is a little worn at times, but it still sounds fine and age related defects are never a serious concern here. This disc also includes English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes some still photos as the sole extra.