Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video | | 4.0 |
| Audio |  | 3.0 |
| Extras |  | 2.5 |
| Overall |  | 3.5 |
Deadline - U.S.A. Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 2, 2016
“Deadline – U.S.A.” comes across just as relevant today as it was during its initial release in 1952. It’s a journalism story about the death of a newspaper, with writer/director Richard Brooks cooking up a valentine to the art of reporting and editorial leadership, bringing on star Humphrey Bogart to portray professional might in the face of extinction. Certainly times have changed, with newspapers today fighting a different war with dwindling readership, but the core message of “Deadline – U.S.A.” remains potent, showcasing the power of journalism as it reaches its final day of operation.
Brooks likes to keep matters procedural, with “Deadline – U.S.A.” tracking a particularly harsh time in the life of a newspaper about shut down due to an impending sale. There’s a subplot featuring Bogart’s character trying to make sense of his failed marriage (the ex is played by Kim Hunter), helping to humanize the fatigued man, but the majority of the movie remains in the newsroom, watching the professionals work out pieces of an investigative puzzle while navigating threats and mistakes, trying to shape an important story that exposes underworld dealings. Maintaining speed with finger-snap dialogue and movement around the building, “Deadline – U.S.A.” is always sharp and fast, while picking up on important behavioral cues and troublemaking, which, to be fair, hits some ridiculous extremes at times.
Deadline - U.S.A. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation maintains the basics of the original cinematography, delivering a crisp viewing experience that's nicely detailed with newsroom particulars and pained close-ups. Textures are found throughout, best with costuming and set decoration, while clarity also makes rear projection effects stand out. Delineation is never problematic, while whites are secure. Grain is fine and filmic. Source remains in agreeable shape, only offering mild speckling and vertical scratches.
Deadline - U.S.A. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix shows some mild stability problems, with volume fluctuations occurring during the listening experience. While lacking severity, they are noticeable. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, securing sharp performances and speedy line readings. Music holds position, adding emphasis without distortive extremes. Atmospherics are pronounced throughout the movie, swarming the soundtrack with the metallic clanking of typewriters, newsroom bustle, and print room machinery.
Deadline - U.S.A. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Commentary features film historian Eddie Muller.
- And a Theatrical Trailer (2:45, SD) is included.
Deadline - U.S.A. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"Deadline – U.S.A." would make an excellent double feature with Ron Howard's sublime 1992 effort, "The Paper," with both films sharing respect for the vocation, which requires constant awareness of facts and figures, periodically hit with seismic judgment calls. Bogart is aces here, controlling the mood of the picture with his subtle performance, and Brooks even goes a bit Capra in the finale, delivering a plea for the future of truth and justice. "Deadline – U.S.A." is riveting at times, entertaining all the way, isolating that special all-consuming insanity that comes with the production of news on a daily basis.
