One of the best "Football" films ever made, NORTH DALLAS FORTY," has been released on dvd from PARAMOUNT.  Based on the equally impressive novel by Peter Gent, the script loses some of the most compelling surprises(especially the sobering conclusion)in its adaptation, but it's insightful just the same!  Nick Nolte stars as Phillip Elliot, a receiver, whom has been losing body parts for the game throughout his career.  In the brilliantly conceived opening, viewers watch him as he sits in a bathtub, remembering not only the glories of the sport, but also which points in the previous game caused the pains he's now suffering!  Of course, this reflection is cut short by the gunblazing entrance of Bo Svenson, in the finest performance of his career.   While the plot focuses on Elliot's awakening that he's just one of many people being used by the entertainment conglomerate making up Professional Football, the film is at its best in depicting the variety of characters surrounding him.  A stellar cast aids greatly in making the characters succeed whenever the script fumbles.  Even Mac Davis is terrific here!
Canadian Director Ted Kotcheff has created a film that alternates between being funny and moving, and never rings false!
"NORTH DALLAS FORTY" has been sorely overlooked by the masses.  And, when it has been shown on cable, only the beginning credits are shown in letterboxed format.  So, we're pleased that PARAMOUNT has released this film in its proper aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with 16:9 enhancement.  With this said, however, we're also disappointed that the transfer isn't nearly as sharp as the letterboxed laserdisc made available a few years ago.  The color values
are only average, varying from correct to cartoonish, and the overall image is really soft.   The one positive thing we can say, is that contrast seems right. 
PARAMOUNT has actually taken the time to "remaster" the soundtrack to the film, offering it in DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 sound.  While this helps in terms of the presentation of the wonderful film score, it really does nothing to aid in the soundtrack's overall fidelity, at times, even making it harsher!
There are some nice directional effects, but the intelligibility of the
dialogue and increased distortion make a monaural track preferential.