Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Convicted Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 13, 2021

Henry Levin's "Convicted" (1950) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson; new visual essay; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Martin Flavin’s play The Criminal Code opened on Brodaway in 1929 and only a year later Howard Hawks made a film of it with the exact same title. Twenty years after it, Henry Levin directed Convicted, which is another cinematic adaptation of the same original material.

In a popular night club in the city, Joe Hufford (Glenn Ford) engages a stranger who has repeatedly bothered his date and in the ensuing brawl accidentally kills him. Before Hufford is put on trial, the prosecuting attorney, George Knowland (Broderick Crawford), privately concedes that he ought to be pardoned and even suggests that he should request a different defense lawyer because the one that is assigned to the case appears to be an amateur. But the Hufford does not have the financial resources or contacts to initiate the replacement and Knowland faces the same defense lawyer in court. Despite Knowland’s best efforts to help Hufford remain a free man, however, he easily wins the case.

While in prison, Hufford does his best to stay out of trouble, hoping that his good behavior will eventually earn him an early parole. However, the wealthy father of the dead man uses his contacts to ensure that each parole consideration is promptly rejected. Hufford’s morale sinks and his frustration repeatedly sends him to solitary confinement. With his health deteriorating as well, Hufford then considers a break out, which eventually sends him on a collision course with a well-known snitch (Frank Faylen).

Meanwhile, Knowland unexpectedly becomes the new prison warden, and when he begins reviewing a string of recently rejected parole recommendations, Hufford’s case once again appears before him. Shortly after, Knowland appoints Hufford his personal driver and then introduces him to his daughter, Kay (Dorothy Malone), who instantly warms up to him and realizes that he has suffered a lot more than he should have. Eventually, Knowland also files the necessary paperwork for his parole, but when the snitch is executed, Hufford becomes the prime suspect in an explosive murder case.

When comparing Convicted and The Criminal Code it is difficult not to conclude that the former builds the drama quite a bit better. The primary reason for this is the presence of greater nuances in the characterizations which allow the crucial contrasts from the original material to appear more authentic. For example, Hufford’s emotional deterioration and consequent recovery are much more casual, plus Knowland appears far more pragmatic than his counterpart in Hawks’ film. Also, the relationship between Hufford and Kay is presented as an extension of the former’s relationship with Knowland, which is why in the final third of the film the spotlight remains on the murder case. In Hawks’ film, before the resolution comes a lot is handled differently.

The use of superior filming equipment gives Convicted an edge as well. Even before the prison troubles begin it is a lot easier for Flavin to move the camera amongst the inmates and therefore provide the audience with a better sense of the environment in which Hufford is left to survive.

The two films share what is perhaps an unavoidable weakness -- an almost unbearably idealistic finale. Indeed, the resolution of the drama is not improbable, but it is prepared with typically one-dimensional views of right, wrong, and redemption that very rarely, if ever, prevail in the real world.

Flavin used the services of cinematographer Burnett Guffey, whose credits include such genre classics as In a Lonely Place, From Here to Eternity, and Bonnie and Clyde.

Convicted Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Convicted arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from an older but very nice master. Indeed, despite a few minor density fluctuations, delineation, clarity, and depth are usually very good. The grayscale is convincing as well. As you could see on the screencaptures that are provided with our review, there are wide ranges of proper blacks, whites, and grays, and all are very nicely balanced. There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. Image stability is very good. A few small blemishes and scratches remain, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 4.25/5.00. (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).

Convicted 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.

The lossless track is excellent. Clarity, sharpness, and stability are as good as expected them to be. During the mass scenes in the prison there is some good dynamic activity as well, though as expected the native limitations of the original soundtrack become quite obvious. There are no technical anomalies to report in our review.

Convicted Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Codes and Convictions - this new video essay highlights some of the key similarities and differences between the various cinematic adaptations of Martin Flavin's play. In English, not subtitled. (30 min).

• Commentary - this new audio commentary was recorded by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson.

• Image Gallery - a gallery of vintage promotional materials for Convicted.

• So Long Mr. Chumps (1941) - a short film featuring the three stooges. Directed by and produced by Jules White. Fully remastered. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (18 min).

• Book - limited edition exclusive 120-page book with new essays by Peter Stanfield, David Cairns, Michał Oleszczyk, Adam Scovell, Fintan McDonagh, Andrew Nette, Jeff Billington, and Ramsey Campbell, archival articles and interviews, and film credits.

Convicted Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If I had to chose between Howard Hawks' The Criminal Code and Henry Levin's Convicted, I would go with the latter because it looks a lot more authentic. However, both films have equally idealistic finales that I find quite unconvincing. This release is sourced from an old but very nice master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. It is included in Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Columbia Noir #3 box set. RECOMMENDED.