Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Disputed Passage Blu-ray Movie Review

A riveting film highlighted by great performances

Disputed Passage is an engaging war drama highlighted by great performances. Produced by Harlan Thompson (Married in Hollywood, Kiss and Make-Up), Disputed Passage is based on the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. The film is worth a watch for fans of classic cinema looking for a cinematic gem. (The production is also notable for a unique opening credits title in which the original author thanks the studio for adapting his story for the silver-screen.)

An exploration of science and the journey of the human spirit, the acclaimed but coldly detached Dr. Forster (Akim Tamiroff) teaches his ace student John Wesley Beaven (John Howard) his methods in approaching science. As John discovers his own beliefs might differ from Dr. Forster (despite his appreciation for his remarkable scientific-mind), things become complicated when he meets the gorgeous Chinese woman (of American descent), Audrey Hilton (Dorothy Lamour). Tossed in to conflict between pursuing his career and pursing the love of his life, John must choose to follow his heart. Can John and Audrey find love?

The performances from the ensemble cast add a great deal to the production. The supporting performance by Akim Tamiroff was one of the most outstanding elements of the entire experience. Tamiroff delivered a truly unique, compelling, and engaging performance that has withstood the test of time. There is a sense of his gravitas in each scene: Tamiroff manages to provide Disputed Passage with a strong dramatic backbone. Lead actor John Howard is similarly impressive in his role and is capable of standing alongside Tamiroff during their scenes. The showstopper of Disputed Passage is Dorothy Lamour. Lamour shines in this role and gives the film a dramatic backdrop that is essential to the story. Fans of the actress should make sure to see this classic for her engaging performance.

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One of the best production elements is the first-rate costumes by Edith Head (Roman Holiday, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Head, a favorite of classic-era Hollywood, is a great designer who managed to consistently provide impressive costumes for the films she designed for. This was no different: Disputed Passage showcases the immense talents of Head as a designer.

The cinematography by William C. Mellor (Giant, A Place in the Sun) is perhaps my favorite element of the behind- the-scenes production. The black-and-white cinematography is striking. With a masterful cinematographer working behind-the-scenes, Disputed Passage is a true accomplishment showcasing the craft and its strengths. There are so many elements of beauty in the framing.

The art direction by Roland Anderson (Souls at Sea, White Christmas) and Hans Dreier (Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend) gives the film a sense of style that is accomplished. The music by composers Friedrich Hollaender (Born Yesterday, A Foreign Affair) and John Leipold (Two Yanks in Trinidad, The Big Wheel) also gives the production a nice dramatic back-drop of note.

Directed by Frank Borzage (Street Angel, Bad Girl), the film features a decent screenplay by Anthony Veiller (The Night of the Iguana, The Killers) and Sheridan Gibney (The Six Million Dollar Man, The Locket). While many of the production elements were remarkably impressive, the story seems a little less so. The writing is by-the-numbers at times and a little less involving than expected. Even so, the film manages to make an impression. Borzage manages to bring forth great performances from the cast while working alongside editor James Smith (One Romantic Night, A Song for Miss Julie) to make sure the film is worthwhile. Disputed Passage is worth a look.

Disputed Passage Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Disputed Passage is presented in1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in an aspect ratio of 1.32:1 full frame. This is an impressive looking scan of the film. The print is generally quite clean and the black and white cinematography looks quite stunning. The film has a unique visual style which is well preserved by the high-quality encoding by Kino. There are only minor nitpicks to report (such as occasional specks on the print). For the most part, Disputed Passage looks remarkable. The presentation showcases William C. Mellor's striking visuals with ease. While the scan might have benefited marginally from a brand new 4K restoration, Kino has still provided a decidedly strong presentation that will please fans of the film.

Disputed Passage Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release is presented in DTS HD Master Audio mono. The audio track is a strong match to the high quality video presentation. An impressive lossless mix, Disputed Passage sounds quite crisp for a film of its age. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. There are no egregious issues to report with regards to hiss, crackle, warps, clicks, and other audio-related detriments.

Optional English subtitles are provided.

Disputed Passage Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Critic Nick Pinkerton

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Road to Singapore (SD, 2:38), The Great McGinty (HD, 1:41), and The Undying Monster (SD, 1:05).

Disputed Passage Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Disputed Passage looks impressive on Blu-ray. The film is a worthwhile classic featuring some top-notch performances by Akim Tamiroff, John Howard, and Dorothy Lamour. The direction from Frank Borzage is compelling. The black-and-white cinematography by William C. Mellor (Giant) manages to impress in spades. While the screenplay by Anthony Veiller and Sheridan Gibney could have used some fine tuning, Disputed Passage remains a compelling dramatic exploration. Kino has done a solid job at bringing the title to the format. Fans of the film are encouraged to add it to their collection. Recommended.