Peking Express Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		2.0

Peking Express Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 22, 2022

William Dieterle's "Peking Express" (1951) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The only supplemental feature on the release is an exclusive new audio commentary by critic Eddy Von Mueller. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

They say that history is written by the victors. It is true. But it is also true that sometimes history is written by clueless people. You do not have to agree with me that it is so. In fact, it would be great if you disagree with me because then you will have a valid reason to see William Dieterle’s Peking Express, which I think proves that I am right. This film is full of so many bizarre fantasies it is beyond strange that at least one studio exec did not object to it being finalized. It is essentially a parody but made by very good actors that do not appear aware that they are acting in a parody.

The original material for Peking Express comes from the same story by Harry Hervey that inspired Josef von Sternberg to direct Shanghai Express with Marlene Dietrich. However, Dieterle and von Sternberg’s treatment of the same material is so drastically different that these films are impossible to group together.

In Peking Express, Joseph Cotton plays Michael Bachlin, an experienced doctor working for the World Health Organization on his way to Peking. Shortly after he boards the notorious train in Shanghai, Bachlin bumps into Danielle Grenier (Corinne Calvet), a beautiful French nightclub singer with whom he once had a relationship and genuinely loved. While she reveals to him that she married a Soviet diplomat who has died, the two befriend Father Joseph Murray (Edmund Gwenn) and meet Kwon (Marvin Miller), a businessman, and Wong (Benson Fong), a brainwashed communist. As the train heads north, the passengers begin engaging each other and their beliefs on various issues, from the communist takeover in China to the black market in Shanghai to America’s standing in the world and what it represents, make them realize that under different circumstances they could very well be enemies. For a while, Bachiln insists that he is apolitical and heading to Peking only because there are people that need his help, but when the train is raided by rebels and he and Grenier are taken hostage, he changes his tune.

While not flawless, von Sternberg’s take on Hervey’s story puts the spotlight on a romantic relationship that needs to survive in an unusual environment. As a result, the lovers have proper character arcs that help the drama in their relationship appear at least somewhat legit. Dieterle’s take on the story is so unfocused it produces a film that just does not look right. For example, large parts of Peking Express are dedicated to political discussions lacking a basic awareness of major developments that changed China during the period that is addressed in them. Unsurprisingly, instead of having a clash of opposing views, which must have been the intent, the main characters exchange cliched statements that are only nauseating. But there is an even bigger problem. Excluding Bachlin and Murray, the remaining characters are all chameleons and at the right time reset the drama in such unbelievable ways it becomes undeniable that even basic historic authenticity was never on Dieterle’s mind.

Unfortunately, Peking Express is impossible to defend as a so-bad-it-is-good exotic adventure film as well. Indeed, what could have made it likable as an adventure film is awfully stained by Dieterle’s insistence that the actors do whatever it takes to convince that their characters and drama are part of a grand spectacle of historic significance. A film with this particular type of attitude but lacking the proper understanding and quality content to become what it wants to be can be seen only as what it is: a badly mismanaged project.

*Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of Peking Express is sourced from a new 4K master that was prepared after the film was restored in 4K from the original camera negative by Paramount Pictures.

Peking Express 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, Peking Express arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from a new 4K master that was struck from the film's original camera negative at Paramount Pictures. Excluding the opening credits, which show some minor surface wear, and the stock footage, which is understandably rougher, the rest of the film looks wonderful. Yes, trained eyes will spot some tiny blemishes and a few specks, but the visuals have a very solid and attractive organic appearance. The grading is very convincing as well. The grays look lush but not boosted and there are wonderful ranges of equally healthy grays and whites. Image stability is very good, though I should mention that I noticed a few shaky transitions. All in all, if you have wanted to add a fine release of Peking Express to your library, this Blu-ray release is most certainly it. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Peking Express Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The dialog is clear and easy to follow. However, there are parts of the film where some very light background hiss emerges and makes its presence felt. It is not distracting at all, but if you turn up the volume of your system a bit more than usual, you will hear it. Dynamic intensity is good for a film from the 1950s.

Peking Express Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic Eddy Von Mueller.

Peking Express Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The bad reputation that Peking Express has is entirely deserved. Despite the solid cast, it frequently looks like a parody, which is really sad because a few of the visuals that emerge from it seem like they are coming from a very special period film. I was barely able to finish it and I enjoy Joseph Cotten's work a lot. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release is sourced from a very nice new 4K master that was prepared at Paramount Pictures.