Based on the Harold Robbins novel of the same name, The Carpetbaggers was a landmark of the sexual revolution of the 1960’s. offering more heated embraces and sexual innuendo than most films of the era.

George Peppard stars as Jonas Cord (a character loosely based on Howard Hughes), the son of the wealthy Jonas Cord, Sr. (Leif Erickson). Father and son don’t get along at all. Senior resents that Junior is more interested in piloting airplanes than in learning the family business.  Junior is angry that Senior has married Jonas’s ex-girlfriend, actress Rina Marlowe (Carroll Baker). As far as Junior is concerned, his father’s best friend and sometime business partner Nevada Smith (Alan Ladd) is more of a father to him than Senior ever was.

When his father unexpectedly dies, Junior inherits the Cord fortune and aircraft firm. He quickly becomes one of the richest people in the world through sheer ruthlessness alone. He abuses everyone he encounters, including his loving but neurotic wife, Monica (Elizabeth Ashley) who suffers nobly while trying to stand by her man. He eventually goes to Hollywood, and becomes a director and studio tycoon, making a star out of his stepmom. Junior soon finds himself falling for another actress (Martha Hyer), who of course, he starts treating badly.

Director Edward Dmytryk saves the best high camp moment for last, knock-down brawl between Ladd and Peppard that climaxes with Peppard flipping the pathetic Ladd onto his back with a bone-crunching thud. This was Alan Ladd’s last film (he died of an accidental overdose shortly after the film was completed). For all its ridiculousness, nothing reads quite as false as the final scene, in which Ashley (who halfway through the film morphs from a flapper to motherly moral compass) makes a well-adjusted family man out of Peppard. Yeah, whatever…

A brand new HD master from a 4K scan of the 35mm camera negative, the film is presented in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Colors are Colors are rich and vibrant. The image is detailed, with no apparent scratches or other anomalies. Skin tones look natural. There is a nice level of grain that gives the proceedings a filmic appearance.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack preserves the film’s original sound with great clarity and resonance. Dialogue comes through clean, clear and concise.

English SDH subtitles are available.

The following extras are included:

  • NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian and Writer Julie Kirgo
  • NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian David Del Valle
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Reversible Art
  • Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase

No products found.