Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Never Fear Blu-ray Movie Review

A beautiful ode to hope and determination

The second feature from acclaimed director Ida Lupino (Not Wanted, The Bigamist), Never Fear is a beautiful drama about the endurance of the human spirit to overcome great obstacles. Based on a true story, it was produced by Lupino with her co-screenwriter Collier Young (Outrage, Private Hell 36). This is a film to inspire the hero in each of us.

Carol Williams (Sally Forrest) is a drop-dead gorgeous dancer who is engaged to the smooth-talking Guy Richards (Keefe Brasselle). Carol's dreams are to be one of the best dancers in the business and she's got the talent to back up her beliefs. Through her hard work and determination, she succeeds at her dancing and has a moment in the spotlight. Things turn darkly ominous when she injures herself and has polio that leaves her unable to dance (and struggling to even walk).

The unexpected curve in her career leaves her relationship to Guy in question and makes her concerned over her own abilities to be a professional dancer. The film explores the innate willpower of the human spirit and the determination to overcome obstacles in pursuit of one's dreams. While Carol believes in her abilities as a dancer, her crippling disability makes the journey towards physical rehabilitation a long and difficult one.

Dance with me, baby.

Forrest delivers an exceptional performance in the lead role. Her strength as an actress helps to bring the story to emotional heights. There is rich emotional mastery to her performance. From the film's cheerful beginning act (which showcases her exceptional dancing) to the turmoil over polio in the second half of the film, the swift delivery of each line of dialogue by Forrest enhances the overall experience and raises the bar. Deeply moving, beautiful, and inspiring, the performance carries the filmmaking.

The effort of Lupino has a host of impressive production elements. The original music score composed by Leith Stevens (The Green-Eyed Blonde, Mad at the World) is a perfect accompaniment to the on-screen dancing showcased. When the filmmaking faces dramatic turns in the story, the score is right there alongside it to capture the spirit of the filmmaking at its core. The gorgeously-lit black and white cinematography composed by Archie Stout (Fort Apache, The Arm of the Law) makes the film a surreal dream to experience and paints impressive colors in viewers imaginations. The production design by Van Nest Polglase (The Fallen Sparrow, The Admiral Was a Lady) helps to create an authentic aesthetic which is perfectly suited to bringing this story to audiences.

Ida Lupino, a visionary actress-turned-filmmaker, arrives at her first credited feature-film production as director at the helm. Though Not Wanted was her unofficial debut behind the camera, Never Fear is the work that made things official. A triumphant showcase for her skills as a writer and director, there is so much to love about the filmmaking on display. The screenplay by Ida Lupino and her co-screenwriter Collier Young remembers the importance of making the focal point of the story about the characters.

Instead of making the central emphasis of the story the disability itself, the storytelling strives to do something more ambitious: paint the picture of Carol's dreams to make the experience more honest, rewarding, and ultimately fulfilling. Never Fear is a reminder to viewers that with determination, the heart should never give up on its dreams.

Never Fear Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Never Fever arrives on Blu-ray for the first time from distributor Kino Lorber with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original 1.37:1 full frame original aspect ratio. The release features a brand new 2K restoration. In comparison to the first film included in the Kino Ida Lupino collection, Not Wanted, there is a significant difference in comparing the two transfers. Never Fear is not quite as crisp or detailed in comparison to the 4K restored presentation.

The picture quality on this encode looks a little soft overall. However, the presentation is also clean and clear for most the run-time with only occasional minor marks showing the age of the print. There are some thin lines around the 50 minute mark which are a fleeting distraction but this is a superb presentation overall. It is certainly quite satisfactory and will please fans of the film.

Never Fear Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The film is presented with a DTS-HD Master Audio mono audio presentation. This is a super clear and pleasant track which has capable dialogue reproduction. The lossless sound track presents the original sound design with capable aplomb. Though the track is dialogue-focused and does not have much in the way of a revolving soundscape, the track sufficiently reproduces the audio. There is some hiss on the track which is present briefly around the 10 minute mark but for the most part there is no glaring issue with crackling, hiss, and other audio distortions. This is a strong sound presentation. Optional English subtitles are provided.

Never Fear Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The release also includes trailers for other releases from Kino Lorber: The Lodger (SD, 2:16), He Ran All the Way (HD, 2:14), Since You Went Away (HD, 1:40), Witness to Murder (HD, 2:08), and Ruby Gentry (HD, 2:00).

Never Fear Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There is something magnificent about Never Fear and it's message of never giving up on oneself. The film is a ode to dreamers the world over to keep faith. Based upon a true story, the film explores the battle that Carol undergoes in fighting for her recovery while facing her personal fears of losing her career. This is a empowering and beautiful film with some stellar performances. The Kino Blu-ray release is altogether superb and features a brand new 2K restoration and an effective lossless audio track. This is a worthwhile release which comes well recommended.