Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

A Kiss Before Dying Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 3, 2016

1956’s “A Kiss Before Dying” is an oddly managed movie. A suspense picture with macabre twists, the effort only really comes alive when it locks on to evildoing, suddenly inspired to crank up thrills and chills in a manner that’s supremely effective. And yet, these peaks of tension are few and far between, with director Gerd Oswald almost going out of his way to keep the rest of “A Kiss Before Dying” (adapted from a novel by Ira Levin) as still as possible, refusing to reach the potential of the piece.

Robert Wagner stars as a man caught in a troubling situation of his own doing, building a plan to murder his pregnant girlfriend (Joanne Woodward) and still remain invested in her rich family, who know nothing about him. The primary drive of “A Kiss Before Dying” is opportunity, watching the young killer figure out a scheme to cover his tracks as he prepares to off his loved one, working carefully to avoid police interest. Scenes involving planning are gripping, watching the ghoul cover his bases and still maintain appearances, and the production cranks up suspense once murderous opportunities arrive, teasing doom for an innocent woman. But the little here that twists wonderfully isn’t enough to carry the viewing experience, which eventually takes extended breathers to deal with tepid characterization and needlessly extended conversations.

A Kiss Before Dying Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.36:1 aspect ratio) presentation is interesting to study, with the ultra-wide CinemaScope framing taking full advantage of rectangular spaces, suggesting this was one of the easier films to push through the old pan-and-scan process. Softness is encountered, but detail remains acceptable, generally good with the rare use of close-ups and location particulars. Colors are satisfactory, keeping their period amplification with costumes and storefront neon lighting. Skintones retain their intended look. Delineation isn't threatened. Source shows wear and tear throughout, identifying points of damage, including a bluish discoloration that arrives midway through the viewing experience. Speckling and scratches are detected as well.

A Kiss Before Dying Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio troubles plague the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, which generally suffers from pronounced age, offering a muffled quality to dialogue exchanges. A few passages are difficult to understand, and intensity fluctuates throughout. Scoring is also clouded, lacking instrumentation. Hiss is persistent, and damage is periodically detected, creating pops and mild buzzing.

A Kiss Before Dying Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:17, SD) is included.

A Kiss Before Dying Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"A Kiss Before Dying" (which was remade in 1991 with Matt Dillon and Sean Young) switches focus in its second half, introducing a concerned sibling (Virginia Leith) to make life miserable for the killer. The picture's evolution into a detective story of sorts is agreeable, but never engages in full, with Oswalt emptying the tank early when it comes to nail-biting encounters. "A Kiss Before Dying" is effective, but only in spurts, taking an eternity between highlights, which throttles excitement instead of indulging it in full.