O.S.S. Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

O.S.S. Blu-ray Movie Review

O.S.S. is a WWI era espionage-spy thriller. The feature-film is from producer Richard Maibaum (who also penned the screenplay to the film). The espionage tale stars Alan Ladd and Geraldine Fitzgerald in a tale of nail-biting suspense.

John Martin (Alan Ladd), a cover for his real-name as Philip Masson, leads an undercover team of operatives sent deep into Nazi occupied France in order to handle a dangerous mission: one that revolves around blowing up a large railway tunnel. The dangerous mission has some of the highest stakes the team has ever faced. The course ahead is one that will never be forgotten.

The possibility of death approaches as the team pushes forward and past their Nazi threats. Alongside a group of undercover male agents, Elaine (Geraldine Fitzgerald) is the lone woman working on the team. With high stakes, Elaine proves herself to be essential to the team – a fierce and determined agent. Can John and Elaine (also a cover-name) rise to the challenge and blow up the tunnel without losing sight of their own lives along the way?

Alan Ladd and Geraldine Fitzgerald are wonderful in the film and the performances certainly help to bring the tale to life. Both Ladd and Fitzgerald have to play these espionage characters with wit and grace. The roles were perfect for the stars and both contribute to the film – the essence of the tale. Dramatic and compelling performances.

The art direction by Haldane Douglas (From Whom the Bell Tolls, Meet the Girls) and Hans Dreier (Double Indemnity, Frenchman’s Creek) doesn’t disappoint. The production looks well-mounted (especially for a 1946 thriller). The artistic elements are impressive and there are several scenes showcasing these ambitious design elements.

The costume designs by Mary Kay Dodson (Alias Nick Beal, Golden Earrings) are effective at enhancing the production. These designs are appropriate for the spy-espionage genre and the results add to the film with an almost Noir-like aesthetic. A solid effort by Dodson.

The score composed by Daniele Amfitheatrof (Storm Warning, Letter from an Unknown Woman) and Heinz Roemheld (The Lady from Shanghai, The Strawberry Blonde) provides the film with a solid and compelling music backdrop. The composers helped to elevate the material. The score is certainly an effective component of the narrative.

The cinematography by Lionel Lindon (The Manchurian Candidate, Going My Way) is one of the most evocative elements. The black and white cinematography certainly showcases a grittier element. An effective effort by Lindon and the visuals add to the espionage component.  

Director Irving Pichel (The Most Dangerous Game, Dracula’s Daughter) brings the script by Richard Maibaum (The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldfinger) to life. O.S.S. is a well-crafted thriller and there is a compelling unison between the scriptwriting and the execution between director Puchel. This is certainly one of the reasons O.S.S. works so well and fans of early Hollywood thrillers won’t want to miss it.

O.S.S. Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, O.S.S. is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original 1.37:1 full frame aspect ratio. The presentation is sourced from a brand new 2K master. The transfer is generally solid throughout the presentation. The master showcases the lush black and white cinematography well.

The transfer for O.S.S. is sharp and showcases good detail (given the age of the film and elements). Though not a pristine presentation, the print is mostly clean looking and there isn't much in the way of print damage. Though O.S.S. may have looked even better with a 4K restoration this is a solid looking 2K master.

O.S.S. Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. The audio quality on the release is good on the whole. Dialogue sounds clear and easy to understand. There is a faint hiss but it is not as audible or distracting as on some early Hollywood classics. Fidelity sounds a bit average. Nonetheless, the pros outweigh the cons in regards to the audio presentation.  

O.S.S. Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Samm Deighan

O.S.S. – Trailer (HD, 2:06)

Calcutta – Trailer (HD, 2:20)

Whispering Smith – Trailer (SD, 1:01)

Boy on a Dolphin – Trailer (SD, 2:26)

So Evil My Love – Trailer (SD, 1:59)

The Bride Wore Boots – Trailer (HD, 2:05)

The Web – Trailer (SD, 2:17)

Alias Nick Beal – Trailer (SD, 2:23)

O.S.S. Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

O.S.S. is an exciting and tense spy-thriller. Fans of espionage classics will find O.S.S. to be a rewarding Hollywood classic. The performances by Alan Ladd and Geraldine Fitzgerald are excellent. Director Irving Pichel (The Most Dangerous Game) did an outstanding job with the thriller.