The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper (1981) {40th Anniversary KL Studio Classics Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

On Thanksgiving eve, November 24, 1971, a man carrying a black attaché case identified as "Dan Cooper" purchased a one-way ticket on Flight 305, a 30-minute trip north to Seattle. Not long after the Boeing 727's takeoff, he claimed to have bomb and hijacked the plane with his $200,000 in ransom and parachuted over southwestern Washington.

The news media misreported the name as D. B. Cooper instead of Dan Cooper. While the thought is that D.B. Cooper didn't survive the jump, the FBI searched for Cooper for 45 years. Than in July 2016 the FBI officially suspended active investigation of the case, but the agency continues to request that any physical evidence that might emerge related to the parachutes or the ransom money be submitted for analysis.

Ten years after this event a film was produced taking the events of D.B. Cooper and the book Free Fall: A Novel by J.D. Reed and made the adventure 'The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper'! Now the good folks at Kino Lorber Studio Classics are giving this cult classic a Blu-ray release for the first time ever.

The movie follows J.R. Meade (Treat Williams) alias D.B. Cooper, who parachuted out of an airliner somewhere over the Pacific Northwest timberland. He took with him $200,000 in stolen cash. While no one knows who he is or where he went. Well, no one except for one man who has an inkling as to who the infamous D. B. Cooper is. That man is former military Sargent Bill Gruen (Robert Duvall), who just happens to be Meade’s former Green Beret instructor and is now and insurance investigator. What follows is an exciting adventure chase on foot, water, car, horse and even plane. As the two men are pitted against each other.

The pursuit of D. B. Cooper is fast paced action movie straight out of the 80s. Treat Williams and Robert Duvall do a great job in their roles and the supporting cast is tremendous, featuring, Kathryn Harold (Raw Deal), Ed Flanders (True Confessions), Paul Gleason (Die Hard) and R.G. Armstrong (White Lightning).

Now this film is rated PG. But in this day and age it would be more of a PG-13. Parents should be aware there is a very good amount of adult language, some suggestive content and mild violence. So parental guidance is suggested.

I remember wanting to see this many many years ago than it just disappeared. I couldn't find it anywhere on TV, streaming, DVD it was no where to be found. Now thanks to Kino Lorber The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper is in the Classic Cinema Plus archives and we can enjoy it anytime we choose to.

I have to say that seeing this film for the first time on Blu-ray is quite the experience. While many reviewers might be able to compare it to other viewings. I don't have that luxury. But I can tell you that my viewing experience of this film this time was amazing.

The film has been transferred in 1080p and in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. There is no signs of damage to this print that I could see. The colors are vibrant. The picture is crisp as a new 100 dollar bill.  

In addition to a beautiful copy of this 80s cult classic. Kino Lorber added a very good brand new audio commentary by Screenwriter Jeffrey Alan Fiskin and Film Historian/Filmmaker Daniel Kremer. Lots of knowledge is dropped on the listener in this commentary. But that is not all there is also the theatrical trailer and 3 TV Spots as well as an option for English Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

This is an absolute amazing release by Kino Lorber for physical media fans. A 40th anniversary Blu-ray edition of The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper. I am so glad that Kino Lorber got the opportunity to do this release as they never cease to amaze me with how beautiful the transfers are.

So if you are a fan of Robert Duvall, Treat Williams or 80s action films, this 40th anniversary Blu-ray of The Pursuit of D.B. Copper is an absolute must own. I highly recommend it. You can order a copy for your collection by heading over to Amazon.com today.


Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Kino Lorber Sudio Classic's Blu-ray The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper receives...