Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Road House Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 28, 2016

1948’s “Road House” gives the love triangle routine a solid kick to the face, delivering a noir-ish vibe to romantic unrest that eventually transforms into actual physical threat. It’s a bold display of hostilities starring Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde, and Richard Widmark, and a movie that, after introductions are made, escalates convincingly, with director Jean Negulesco (“Daddy Long Legs”) generating an engrossing sense of danger and betrayal punctuated with musical performances to sell the festive atmosphere of the titular location.

Tensions mount near the Canadian border, finding new hire Lily (Lupino) coming between road house manager Pete (Wilde) and shady owner Jefty (Widmark), gradually dissolving tentative order between ruffians with a healthy dose of sexual allure. It’s melodrama, but interestingly executed by the production, which invests in finger-snap dialogue and a steady rhythm of incident, keeping unease stoked throughout. Lily receives chances to show off her performance ability, taming the drunks and bowlers with her musical gifts, but the majority of “Road House” spotlights broken trust and secretive couplings, generating necessary trouble for all involved.

Road House Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings out a clear, clean viewing experience for "Road House," which showcases satisfactory detail when surveying costuming choices, thespian close-ups, and textured sets, bringing out the particulars of the frame. Cinematographic balance is preserved, managing sharp whites and deep blacks, offering comfortable delineation. Source is in good shape, with mild speckling and scratching, and the occasional single-frame blotch. Grain is fine and filmic.

Road House Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix shows encouraging life despite its age. While a faint amount of hiss is detected, dramatic power remains, giving heft to snappy dialogue exchanges and escalating passion. Scoring and performance sequences retain acceptable instrumentation and presence.

Road House Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Kim Morgan and Eddie Muller.

• "Killer Instinct: Richard Widmark and Ida Lupino at Twentieth Century Fox" (19:17, SD) is a featurette that summarizes the career arcs of two "Road House" stars, with authors and historians (including Robert Osborne) sharing their interpretations of dramatic interests, creative choices, and industry longevity.

• Animated Image Gallery (2:52) collects marketing efforts and publicity stills.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Road House Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Road House" is a spirited movie, even slipping into brawling mode once patrons begin crossing the line, forcing Pete to knock some sense into inebriated goons. Eventually, the feature graduates to more stylized suspense, with gun play and chases dominating he last act. It works because of performances, which are terrific, and creative achievements, including impressive art direction and costuming. "Road House" has attitude, visual appeal, and a real interest in providing cheap thrills, making it one of the better examples of the genre. It also wins the distinction of being the second most violent film I've seen where bowling plays a major part in the story.