Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Temptation Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 29, 2022

Irving Pichel's "Temptation" (1946) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The only bonus feature on it is an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by critic Kelly Robinson. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Have you seen this box before?

It almost seems a bit suspicious that a legit relationship between Irving Pichel’s Temptation and Roger Vadim’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses a.k.a. Dangerous Love Affairs does not exist. A little more than a decade separates these films and they tackle the same material while producing the same thought-provoking messages. Of course, the inspiration for these films came from two completely different novels that set the drama that is chronicled in them in very different environments, but if you take the time to carefully deconstruct it you will easily conclude that the sincerity of their messages is identical. Should this be surprising? Well, at first, I was a bit surprised. Pichel’s film credits Robert Hichens’ novel Bella Donna -- as well as James Bernard Fagan’s stage adaptation of it -- which was published in 1909. Vadim’s film credits Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ famous novel, which was published in 1782. So, there is quite a gap between these novels but without prior knowledge of them, you would not know. Then there were the characterizations and the versatility of the drama, which is arguably the biggest strength of these films. What do I mean by this? The different period environments do not alter in any way the relevance of the messages the two films produce. These messages are so similar and feel fresh that they could very easily be transferred in modern remakes of the two films.

The drama in Temptation is part of a giant confession. At first, the confession appears quite trivial, but its sincerity rapidly alters its nature. It begins in gloomy London but the bulk of it addresses developments in exotic Egypt.

Ruby (Merle Oberon), a recently divorced woman in her late twenties, visits a prominent doctor who after a short examination concludes that she needs a man in her life to cure her imaginary illness. Before she leaves his office, Ruby states her intent to be a great actor that plays the game of love the right way to secure her happiness. Shortly after, Ruby begins a romantic relationship with the ambitious and wealthy archeologist Nigel Armine (George Brent), a close friend of the doctor, and he proposes to her. The couple then moves to Egypt so that Nigel can begin work on an ancient tomb with the assistance of the local authorities.

But under the scorching sun Ruby very quickly becomes bored and while her husband is away working on the ancient tomb begins seeing the shady playboy Mahoud Baroudi (Charles Korvin). However, despite properly profiling Mahoud as a suave chameleon, Ruby falls madly in love with him and eventually agrees to poison Nigel so that they can use her inheritance to pay off his massive gambling debts and begin a new life. But a series of unexpected developments transform the players into competitors.

Temptation and Les Liaisons Dangereuses can quite easily be enjoyed as intricate tales about infidelity but as such, they are not particularly impressive. In other words, if you focus on the chronology of the events that are depicted in them, you are setting yourself for a straightforward viewing experience.

What makes Temptation and Les Liaisons Dangereuses much better films is the management of the cynicism that defines their messages. For example, in both films, it is carefully acknowledged that romance and marriage are integral pieces of a social game the two sexes use to satisfy different needs. In Temptation the cynicism is a bit more subtle, but ultimately the contrasts it produces are identical to the ones from Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Are they credible? Well, listen carefully to how Ruby describes her future in the doctor’s office and ask yourself whether her philosophy of life is outdated. Also, see how the dynamic of Ruby’s relationship with Mahoud changes once the two drop their masks and concede that they are ambitious opportunists. Would you say that both are irredeemably bad individuals or experienced pragmatists with great survival instincts?

Oberon is the undisputed star of Temptation. She looks stunning in her elegant dresses and easily convinces that her character could be an irresistible seductress capable of profoundly transforming any man’s life.

Temptation Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.38:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Temptation arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from a recent 2K master with strong organic qualities. However, time has left its mark on this film and as a result it is very easy to tell that ideally it should look quite a bit better. For example, there are quite a few areas with noticeable density and clarity fluctuations that affect depth. While quite good, in some of the rougher areas the grading job produces light but noticeable crushing as well, so small nuances collapse and further impact depth. The best news is that there are no traces of problematic digital corrections, which is why there is still a lot to like. For example, despite some minor fluctuations in terms of grain exposure, close-ups usually look very good, at times even great. Image stability is good, but there are some shaky spots and uneven transitions. Lastly, there are quite a few minor white specks, scratches, and blemishes that pop up throughout the entire film. All in all, I was pleased with the technical presentation, though given how much I liked the film, I would not have objected if it was properly restored. My score is 3.75/5.00. (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).

Temptation 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 was clear and easy to follow. However, there were a few areas with light but noticeable buzz in the upper register. The buzz made the audio thinner, too. This isn't a serious issue, but there are digital tools that can quite easily eliminate it. Dynamic intensity is very, very modest.

Temptation Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic Kelly Robinson.

Temptation Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If the finale of Temptation was a little less righteous I think it is fair to speculate that right now it would have been considered a groundbreaking classic. If you pay close attention to what is said in it, you will realize that its carefully managed cynicism produces some timeless truths about love, happiness, and the ways in which the two sexes have been treating each other over the years. Even though they are set in different period environments, I think that Temptation and Les Liaisons Dangereuses are very close relatives, so consider seeing both. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release is included in Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema VIII, a three-disc box set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.