Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Movie Review

Alfred Hitchcock's "Jamaica Inn" (1939) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French label Carlotta Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the recent restoration of the film and newly produced featurette hosted by writer and film historian Donald Spoto. In English, with optional French subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Sir Humphrey Pengallan

Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French label Carlotta Films.

The release is sourced from the same recent 4K restoration that Cohen Media introduced in the U.S. in May (you can see our listing and review of this release here). Unsurprisingly, the film looks equally impressive here. Depth and clarity are consistently very pleasing. Overall image balance is also very good. In fact, fluidity is so good that one can be mislead to believe that the team of experts that restored the film had to work with elements that were in excellent condition (and in fact exactly the opposite is true. There are no significant fluctuations in terms of density. Grain is well exposed and very evenly distributed. Finally, the film looks exceptionally clean and healthy. (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).

Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and English LPCM 1.0. Optional French subtitles are provided for the main feature. (You must use your remote control to turn off the subtitles).

The audio has been fully restored. Typically clarity and sharpness are very good, though one should keep in mind that some source limitations remain. For example, there is sporadic "thinness" that can be noticed in the mid/high range. Nevertheless, stability and overall balance are now very good. Crackle, background hiss, pops, and other notable age-related imperfections have been carefully removed. Also, there are no audio dropouts or digital distortions to report.

Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Naufrages en Studio/Making of Featurette - this featurette is also included on the U.S. release of Jamaica Inn from Cohen Media under the alternative title Shipwrecked in a Studio: The Making of Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn. The freaturette focuses on the production history of the film. It is hosted by Donald Spoto, author of The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock. In English, with optional French subtitles. (14 min).

• Bande-annonce 2015 - original trailer for the new 4K restoration of Jamaica Inn from Cohen Media. In English, with optional French subtitles. (2 min).

Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This recent Blu-ray release of Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn is sourced from the same excellent 4K restoration of the film that was introduced in the United States by Cohen Media. I think that is an excellent alternative for people residing in Region-B territories. RECOMMENDED.