Across 110th Street Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Across 110th Street Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 18, 2014

1972’s “Across 110th Street” is often labeled a blacksploitation picture, and while parts of the movie fit into such a classification, this cops-and-criminals saga appears to have more in common with “The French Connection.” Gritty and mindful of perspective, the feature is a bruising examination of power and desperation, filled with energetic chases and fiery confrontations. And while the picture deals with race and prejudice, it’s more interested in dissecting character, creating a community of hotheads after one another for numerous reasons.

“Across 110th Street” is adapted from a novel (written by Wally Ferris) and it feels like it. Swarming with personalities all at one another’s throats, the story explores police procedure and NYC underworld interests, weaving a portrait of crime and honor that bleeds into the tensions of the day. Skin color is prominent, with racism fueling tensions, yet director Barry Shear doesn’t labor over obvious offenses. Instead, he uses the stress to launch a streetwise adventure populated with police and thieves, emphasizing power plays as these flawed men are faced with dire financial futures, corruption, and professional obsolescence. The feature tends to surge instead of steadily flow, but Shear is mindful of movement, keeping the citywide search trucking along, greeting all types of suspects and witnesses to help flavor the drama.

Across 110th Street Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a mixed bag, showing signs of age that keep the viewing experience from being as fresh as possible. It's a softly shot feature to begin with, limiting a true reach of fine detail, but facial particulars and location nuances are surveyed, while textures on costuming are open for inspection. Blacks aren't particularly strong, with solidification a common occurrence. Whites are bit bloomy. Colors are stable and overall quite welcome, with bold period costuming providing varied hues, and skintones are natural. Grain is heavy. Damage is minimal, with speckling and a few brief trouble spots.

Across 110th Street Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't have the benefit of crisp and clear source material, with age and original quality delivering a slight muddiness to the group dynamic. Dialogue exchanges are largely understood, with sweeps of emotion held in position. Soundtrack selections and scoring cues display greater confidence, arriving louder and cleaner than acting efforts. Atmospherics are pronounced with active street life, and sound effects are sharp and forceful.

Across 110th Street Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:58, HD) is included.

Across 110th Street Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Performances are uniformly strong, with Kotto and Quinn a tempestuous duo, creating an unusual balance of antagonism and ambition in their respective roles, adding a welcome dimension of begrudging respect that pays off in the fantastically blunt ending. However, Paul Benjamin steals the movie, delivering sensational work as a man out of options turning to crime. Intimate scenes with this character drip with desperation and defiance, generating a precise tone of distress for "Across 110th Street" that feeds into the rest of the film, giving it a lasting thematic snap.