The Big Heat Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.5

The Big Heat Blu-ray Movie Review

Twilight Time is far enough into its business model now that it has been relicensing some of its most popular titles for a second run, so to speak. The good news is that these "Encore Editions" often feature new elements, either literally (in the case of transfers, sorry for the horrible pun) or as in this case, supplements. Those who missed out on the first edition of The Big Heat will find the same wonderful video and audio presentation as the first release offered, along with a smattering of new and interesting supplements.

The Big Heat Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality is assessed in the above linked review.

The Big Heat Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality is assessed in the above linked review.

The Big Heat Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Along with the supplements discussed in our original The Big Heat Blu-ray review (an Isolated Score Track and a Trailer), this Encore Edition offers the following new supplements:

• Michael Mann on The Big Heat (1080p; 10:57)


• Martin Scorsese on The Big Heat (1080p; 5:48)


• Audio Commentary features Lem Dobbs hosted by Twilight Time's Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman.

The Big Heat Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Big Heat's first Twilight Time release is now fetching big bucks online, so it's great news that this new Encore Edition has come along. Even better is the inclusion of new supplements, all of which are recommended. As for the film and the technical merits of the Blu- ray, I'll simply let my comments from my first review stand:

The Big Heat is an incredibly breathless, bracing experience and one which rather brilliantly revises several noir traditions. Lang was nearing the end of his major studio involvement, moving more and more toward quasi- independent fare, but he elevates the material here well above what could have been a kind of smarmy offering, proving that he had lost none of the power and facility that marked his earlier iconic work. With incredibly evocative cinematography by Charles Lang supporting some devastatingly effective performances (especially by Grahame, who really deserved an Oscar nomination for this film), The Big Heat remains one of the finest fifties offerings in what was then the dying noir genre. This Blu-ray offers superior video and excellent audio, and it comes Highly recommended.