DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 98 minutes, two isolated music score tracks, TV featurette, theatrical trailer and teaser, TV spots, and still galleries

VIDEO: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

AUDIO: English Stereo, English Mono, French Mono, Spanish Mono

Subtitles: English, Spanish

STUDIO: 20th Century FOX

RELEASE DATE: 6-5-2007

THE NEPTUNE FACTOR went through some of the same challenges 16 years before James Cameron made THE ABYSS. they had to bring new technologies to the forefront and even used a real submersible and underwater habitat. They filmed in Canada and imported 2000 animals from over 50 countries to be trained to act on cue. Over 40 technical consultants, 20 professional divers, top photagrphers, and over 200 extras. The production went all out to make THE NEPTUINE FACTOR a rality- a film people thought was impossible to mount.

THE NEPTUNE FACTOR follows a group that is trying to find Ocean Lab II after an earthquake sends it into a fissure. They have 7 days to find the three people still trapped down there. Their last hope rests on the untested Neptune and it's pilot (Ben Gazzara). Along for the ride are Ernest Borgnine and Yvette Mimiuex. On the surface of the ocean is Walter Pidgeon as an olf doctor whose daughter is played by Mimieux (who worries about a doctor she is in love in and is trapped in the Ocean Lab.

THE NEPTUNE FACTOR's story isn't without it's problems. It inserts a few last minute surprises that don't quite gell with the rest of the movie. I love how you see the course of the rescue and not knowing if the Ocean Lab is intact (and the three men are still alive for that matter).

SPECIAL FEATURES: Two isloated music tracks are included with the film (one by Lalo Schifrin which also has the F/X on it and a never-before-released one by William McCauley). Trust me, the released track is better. The TV featurette is a nice vintage piece that looks at the making of THE NEPTUNE FACTOR. Also included are the theatrical trailer and teaser (which spoil all of the film) and two TV spots.

Three still galleries are on the disc: the interactive press book (where you can actually read it by picking a section of the page), advertising gallery (poster art and press cards), and the production gallery (some nice behind-the-scenes shots).

FINAL ANALYSIS: THE NEPTUNE FACTOR is a thrilling adventure that did the impossible before Cameron did it with THE ABYSS.