7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
On one day in the 21st Precinct squad room, assorted characters form a backdrop for the troubles of hard-nosed Detective Jim McLeod.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O'Donnell, George MacreadyFilm-Noir | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
William Wyler's "Detective Story" (1951) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include audio commentary by film noir expert Alan K. Rode as well as vintage trailer for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Didn't know my wife was a tramp
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Detective Story arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
In 2020, we reviewed this Australian release of Detective Story which was sourced from an older but still quite good master supplied by Paramount Pictures. This release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master struck from the original camera negative.
Previously, I speculated that a new 4K and even 2K master will immediately make a notable difference in the surface of the visuals, which is usually defined by the quality of the grain exposure. This is the main improvement that the new 4K master delivers. On this release, the surface of the visuals looks healthier and more attractive. The grayscale is better too, though there are quite a few areas where the two presentations of the film look very similar. On my system, the ranges of grays and whites looked better balanced and as a result some finer nuances had more appealing organic qualities. This isn't surprising because older masters typically reveal weaknesses in the management of highlights and darker nuances. On this release, you will not see consistent, easy-to-appreciate improvements in terms of delineation and depth. Why? Because the previous release handles these areas pretty well. The noticeable improvements will be in areas where the visuals reveal strong organic qualities and by default enhance delineation and depth. Also, even though on this release grain exposure is superior, it could be even better. Image stability is good, but there are a few shaky transitions. Finally, there is room for cosmetic improvements. While I personally do not mind the occasional tiny flecks, scratches, and blemishes if the visuals have convincing qualities, some people do and prefer that they are spotless. On this release, there are still plenty of minor surface imperfections that could have been removed with digital tools. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The audio is very clear and easy to follow. I pulled out the Australian release of Detective Story that I have in my library and tested a couple of different areas and as I suspected the quality of the audio was practically identical. On the other hand, I assume that the audio on the new 4K master was simply transferred as is without major restoration work. Why? Because during the most intense footage the upper register begins to feel a tad fragile. I am quite certain that the master replicates what is on the origin al audio files because the audio sounds the same on the previous release as well. In other words, there are no technical issues to report.
I don't think that Detective Story has all of the classic characteristics it needs to be profiled as film noir, but it is a very fine film with a predictably excellent performance by Kirk Douglas. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release is sourced from a good exclusive new 4K master that was struck from the film's original camera negative. Also, it retains the excellent audio commentary that film noir expert Alan K. Rode recorded in 2020 for Australian label Via Vision Entertainment's Blu-ray release of Detective Story. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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