Prince of Foxes Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Prince of Foxes Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 20, 2017

Regality is the goal of 1949’s “Prince of Foxes,” which endeavors to play a royal game of loyalties and intimidation, adapting a 1947 book by Samuel Shellabarger, which took a close look at the reign of Cesare Borgia (played by Orson Welles) through the eyes of Andrea Orsini (Tyrone Power), a determined but conflicted soldier for the cause. Director Henry King goes for bigness with “Prince of Foxes,” which was proudly shot around actual Borgia locations, giving the effort historical authenticity. The dramatic grip of the material is debatable, as initial intimacies and scheming give way to a wider canvas of deception and collaborations, transforming the picture into an iffy puzzle of last names and motivations.

King has the advantage of location shooting, giving “Prince of Foxes” enjoyable scale as castles and battlegrounds are revisited. The feature has undeniable visual appeal, offering cinematography that respects the surrounding history of the land, also taking in elaborate interiors, while giving “Prince of Foxes” real presence as a story of royalty and countrywide conquering. Helping matters are the lead performances, with Welles stomping around the frame, treating dialogue with his customary intensity, while Power delivers quality range as a man finding himself trapped between duty and heart.

Prince of Foxes Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a satisfactory amount of detail, which is prized by the production, offering ornate costumes and cavernous, heavily ornamented interiors. Textures are acceptable, though cinematographic softness remains, and distances are preserved, permitting a scan of historic places. B&W balance is maintained, with pleasing delineation. Grain is fine and filmic. Source shows a little wear and tear through flickering and scratches, but overt damage isn't present.

Prince of Foxes Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix definitely shows its age, offering a muddy, dulled listening experience that doesn't bring out the majesty of the filmmaking. Dialogue exchanges aren't smothered, but they lack precision, tempering some of the more flamboyant performances. Scoring is understood but without flair, maintaining only a basic comprehension of instrumentation. Echoed interiors remain, and battle scenes carry modest atmospherics. Hiss is detected throughout.

Prince of Foxes Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Troy Howarth.

• Isolated Score is offered.

• "Movietone News: Tyrone Powers Weds Linda Christian in Rome Ceremony" (3:05, SD) collects three newsreel clips featuring the star of "Prince of Foxes" chatting with reporters about his nuptials. Power looks about as uncomfortable as a person can get facing such attention (perhaps he hadn't broken the news to Cesar Romero yet), while the final clip takes viewers to the "Prince of Foxes" premiere, attended by a host of luminaries such as Jackie Robinson and Gene Tierney.

• And an International Trailer (2:55, SD) is included.

Prince of Foxes Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Prince of Foxes" slowly works through elements of history and drama, picking up a host of supporting characters and backstories along the way. It's not an impossible picture to follow, but it can be a laborious one, even finding the screenplay a little tired of political maneuverings, sticking to romances and operatic confrontations in the second half. It's a handsome effort, but "Prince of Foxes" isn't always as compelling as it would like to be.