Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Pitfall Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 24, 2015

The plot of 1948’s “Pitfall” concerns a challenge to martial stability, with a bored man taking a chance on a dangerous woman, only to encounter unexpected repercussions. It’s a tale that’s not unfamiliar to the world of film noir, arriving with suitable levels of temptation, threat, and guilt, but director Andre De Toth handles routine with some imagination, keeping “Pitfall” low to the ground as it explores various levels of intimidation. This patience results in the more refined effort, but one that’s not afraid to bloody its knuckles on occasion.

The bright spot of “Pitfall” is found in Dick Powell’s lead performance, which is a thing of deadpan beauty at times, wrapping ace timing around screenwriter Karl Kamb’s darkly comic lines. Powell plays domestic fatigue perfectly, making his character’s lean toward Lizabeth Scott’s femme fatale-ish presence all the more understandable. “Pitfall” is also visited by Raymond Burr, whose refrigerator-square body is ideally put to use as the obsessive threat putting the screws on all involved. De Toth oversees terrific performances all around, giving the feature a little more dramatic life than the genre allows.

Pitfall Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Boasting a UCLA Film & Television Archive mastering effort, "Pitfall" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.36:1) presentation. There's plenty of age to contend with, with the source plagued by vertical scratches, speckling, and mild flicker, while a few warped frames are detected as well. Softness is encountered with period cinematographic limitations and glamour lighting on Lizbeth Scott, but detail holds throughout, finding a few pockets of clarity that bring out facial reactions and set decoration, while artificial backgrounds seem more pronounced. Contrast is secure, and delineation isn't a concern.

Pitfall Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Again, age plays the part in the "Pitfall" BD experience, with the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix restrained by distinct hiss throughout the presentation, while more of a cracking-type noise enters periodically. Dialogue exchanges handle on the quieter side but remain dramatic and intelligible, keeping up with heated encounters and hushed moments of confession. Scoring isn't defined, but it carries along as intended, supporting screen action with passable instrumentation. Atmospherics aren't amplified, but sea and street life are present.

Pitfall Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Eddie Muller.

Pitfall Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Pitfall" isn't taut, but it's always interesting, following a wave of lies and manipulations that intensifies before knocking the characters flat. Elements of violence remain, with periodic beatings meant to maintain order, but the script is primarily interested in building a psychological hold. The personalities are nearly as fatigued by deception as they are with physical acts of protection. "Pitfall" doesn't snowball into a furious closer, but it retains a firm grip on emotional authenticity and cinematic control, making twists and turns less flashy, but more penetrating overall.