A Prize of Gold Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

A Prize of Gold Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 25, 2026

Mark Robson's "A Prize of Gold" (1955) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with second unit camera assistant Geoff Glover; archival program with editor Bill Lewthwaite; a collection of vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The transporter

Postwar Berlin, before it was divided, is the ideal setting for a special film noir, and having Richard Widmark, in his prime, right in the middle of it, suggests that such a film is inevitable. However, it appears this is not the film Mark Robson was tasked to deliver when he was hired to direct A Prize of Gold, which is unfortunate because many of its visuals still ooze an undeniable noirish atmosphere.

While taking a break from patrolling the ruins of Berlin, Sgt. Joe Lawrence (Widmark) and his best buddy Sgt. Roger Morris (George Cole) have their jeep stolen by a young troublemaker. Luckily, the two are able to follow the troublemaker back to an underground shelter, where the gorgeous schoolmistress Maria (Mai Zetterling) and Dr. Zachmann (Karel Stepanek) are looking after a large group of orphans. Lawrence instantly falls in love with the schoolmistress, and soon after, while inventing different reasons to keep coming back to the underground shelter, the two arrange a proper date.

In the days following the date, Lawrence chooses to participate in a dangerous job, previously mentioned to him by Morris, that could make him a rich man and allow him start a new life with the schoolmistress. Lawrence and Morris then hatch a perfect plan to steal a large load of recently discovered Nazi gold, which is to be transported from Berlin to London via a U.S. military cargo plane, and have it exchanged for cash with British gangsters Brian Hammell (Nigel Patrick) and Alfie Stratton (Donald Wolfit). However, while crucial details of the perfect plan are ironed out, the plane’s departure date is moved forward, and the crew is forced to improvise.

The bulk of the material Robson directed can fit well only in an old-fashioned romantic melodrama, which was likely what the producers of A Prize of Gold expected him to deliver. However, in the rest of the material, the ruins of Berlin and Widmark’s presence reveal that, with some careful edits, A Prize of Gold could have been transformed into a special film noir. The edits would have had to eliminate various cliches, the majority of which compromise the credibility of the main characters, and several safe developments, which destroy the credibility of the heist.

In its current form, A Prize of Gold seeks to impress almost exclusively while relying on the charisma of its stars, and Widmark’s in particular, which is not the correct strategy. Additionally, neither the romance between Widmark and Zetterling nor the drama from the heist convincingly dominates the narrative. As a result, the soapy, easily forgettable melodrama that flourishes feels like a compromise, which is an odd development as well.

Only some of the outdoor footage from Berlin is authentic. The rest, which is plenty, was shot in London. Nevertheless, all visuals have a casual and believable attractiveness, perfect for a special film noir.

Robson was paired with director of photography Ted Moore, who is best known for lensing several early James Bond films, including Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger.

A Prize of Gold Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.75:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, A Prize of Gold arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from an old, rather rough master, supplied by Sony Pictures. Delineation and clarity are mostly good, so on a large screen, the bulk of the visuals look pretty decent. However, there are numerous areas where density levels fluctuate a lot, overexposing or underexposing grain, and depth becomes average. Additionally, while color balance is good, color stability is not ideal. Indeed, in many areas, saturation should be better, and the color pulsations present on the current master can be eliminated. There are no traces of any problematic digital corrections. However, a proper new 2K or 4K master will easily produce visuals with superior organic qualities. I noticed various nicks, flecks, blemishes, and even small marks, but there are no large debris, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

A Prize of Gold Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

All exchanges are clear and easy to follow. There isn't much dynamic variety, but in action sequences, like the one where the hijacked plane lands and later explodes, all contrasts are convincing. The music does not sound thin and/or uneven. If the film is fully restored and the audio remastered, some cosmetic adjustments may improve stability and balance, but I do not think that the overall quality of the audio will be dramatically different.

A Prize of Gold Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Bill Lewthwaite - presented here is an archival interview with editor Bill Lewthwaite, conducted by Glyn Jones. In it, Lewthwaite discusses his background and career, as well as some of the more prominent films he was hired to work on, including a A Prize of Gold. In English, not subtitled. (104 min).

• Geoff Glover: Golden Opportunity - in this new program, second unit camera assistant Geoff Glover recalls how he entered the film industry and discusses his involvement with A Prize of Gold. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Lies Lanckman: Stealing Hearts - in this new program, critic Lies Lanckman discusses A Prize of Gold. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for A Prize of Gold. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials for A Prize of Gold.

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Thirza Wakefield and Melanie Williams.

• Book - a 120-page book with new essays by Jonathan Bygraves, Andrew Spicer, Pamela Hutchinson, Robert Murphy, Chloe Walker, and Bethan Roberts; an archival on-set report for A Prize of Gold; extracts from The Last Man to Hang's pressbook; collected archival interviews with Wicked as They Come director Ken Hughes; an American Cinematographer report on The Long Haul; a reprint of a Films and Filming article on Fortune Is a Woman filmmakers Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder; new writing on A Test for Love and This Little Ship; and film credits.

A Prize of Gold Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

From the moment the Nazi gold is discovered, and a plan is revealed to transport it from Berlin to London, it feels like Mark Robson cannot decide whether A Prize of Gold should be a proper film noir or a conventional romantic melodrama. It is unfortunate because postwar Berlin, before it was divided, is the ideal setting for a special film noir, and having Richard Widmark, in his prime, right in the middle of it, suggests that such a film is inevitable. This release is sourced from an old and rather rough master, supplied by Sony Pictures. It is included in Columbia Noir #7: Made in Britain, a six-disc box set. RECOMMENDED only to Widmark completists.