House by the River Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

House by the River Blu-ray Movie Review

A chilling tale by a river of intrigue

A pitch-black film noir with a tale full of intriguing twists and turns, House by the River is a classic from director Fritz Lang (Metropolis, Ministry of Fear). Based on the novel by A.P. Herbert, House by the River is produced by Howard Welsch (Montana Belle, The Vigilantes Return). The film is worth seeing for its surprising storyline and the impeccable performances (including the lead role by Louis Hayward).

Stephen Byrne (Louis Hayward) is a well-off novelist who enjoys a life of leisure due to the success of his writing. Living in a beautiful “house by the river” and married to a drop-dead-gorgeous wife, Marjorie Byrne (Jane Wyatt), Stephen's sweet and laid-back lifestyle suddenly turns as dark-as-night when he “accidentally” murders his oh-so-sexy maid, Emily Gaunt (Dorothy Patrick). Emily abruptly falls to her death upon refusing his sexual advances and thus tragedy strikes.

Worried about the results of the unforeseen murder scenario, Stephen enlists the help of his dedicated brother, John Byrne (Lee Bowman) to cover up the tracks. Reluctantly, John agrees to help dispose of the body in the river. Will the murder cause a widespread ruckus or will life continue to blossom with wonder for novelist Stephen Byrne? (And when will Stephen finish writing another “masterpiece” of fiction)?

"What happened to the boat keys?"

House by the River is an effective film noir experience heightened by the terrific performances of the ensemble cast. The dynamic on-screen relationships between Louis Hayward and Lee Bowman both impress and manage to work in unison. The pair are both in-over-their-heads with the murder and the scenario continues to get more complicated by the minute. The performances can be chilling and both actors do their best to elevate the material.

The music score composed by George Antheil (Make Way for Tomorrow, In a Lonely Place) fits the material like a glove. The moody music is a good accompaniment to the noir material and makes it more exciting and sensational. For a classic in the genre, Antheil created a mood-piece score that is every bit as interesting as the visuals themselves.

One of the hallmarks of a good film noir production is the cinematography. Featuring ace efforts by Edward Cronjager (Sun Valley Serenade, Heaven Can Wait), the visuals of the film are brought to dreary-life. The dark screenplay by Mel Dinelli (The Window, The Spiral Staircase) is often a bit overwrought but the visuals make up for some of the storytelling errors.

Fritz Lang (Metropolis, Ministry of Fear) capably directs the story and makes the best of a script that sometimes feels less ambitious than it should. The filmmaking is entertaining in large part because Lang makes it so. Ultimately, the film provides an interesting experience that fans of the director should appreciate. House by the River is certainly a classic that has merit in the genre. Worth a look.

House by the River Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from distributor Kino Lorber, House by the River is presented with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 (full frame). The film has received a brand new 2K master. The film looks remarkably solid on the whole and is a nice high-definition presentation.

The transfer on the Blu-ray release is clean and clear throughout the majority of the presentation. The print shape is excellent with little to no damage or scratches visible on the print utilized. An excellent new scan was given to the film and it preserves the filmmaking. Fine film grain can also be seen on the transfer and the aesthetic is naturalistic. If there is one complaint to be had, it's that black levels are not quite as robust or as silky-smooth as they could be for presenting black and white cinematography (and there is an often grayish appearance to the print). Nonetheless, a solid effort and a presentation that will be worth checking out for fans of the classic film noir.

House by the River Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with a DTS-HD Master Audio mono presentation. The lossless audio track does a solid job of preserving the sound design and the dynamics of the audio. Dialogue was clear during the presentation and effective. As a mono soundtrack, it's not as robust as a more modern production but the clarity of the track is preserved well and there isn't any egregious hiss, crackle, or distortion on the audio track. This is a satisfying presentation that fans will be pleased with. Optional English subtitles are provided.

House by the River Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Interview with Producer and Historian Pierre Rissient (SD, 7:41) features the Fritz Lang expert discussing the historical significance of the production of House by the River and the film's lasting place in the pantheon of the filmmakers storied legacy.

The release also includes a selection of trailers showcasing other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: The Woman in the Window (SD, 1:45), Boomerang (2:31), The Spiral Staircase (2:01), The Queen of Spades (SD, 2:51), and The Paradine Case (SD, 1:44).

House by the River Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

An interesting film noir with a story full of twists and turns, House by the River is ultimately worth a watch for its strong performances by Louis Hayward and Lee Bowman. Director Fritz Lang crafted a fascinating experience that fans of the filmmaker won't be able to resist watching. The Blu-ray release features a solid presentation and is worth checking out. Recommended.