6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A rookie policeman, working undercover, fights both the underworld and crooked cops to smash a powerful gambling syndicate operating in Brooklyn.
Starring: Darren McGavin, Margaret Hayes, Warren Stevens, Peggy McCay, Tol AveryFilm-Noir | 100% |
Drama | 66% |
Crime | 43% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Note: This film is available as part of
Noir Archive Volume 3: 1956-1960.
Kit Parker Films and Mill Creek Entertainment continue their deep dive into what might be thought of as the substratum of film noir with
this
third collection culled from the Columbia catalog. The fact that this latest offering supposedly spans the years of 1956 through 1960 may give
some indication of
just how deep this particular dive is, since many film fans will probably (rightly or wrongly) feel like the late fifties and first year of the
sixties are decidedly past the heyday of film noir. (That "supposedly" is in the previous sentence because the earliest actual release date
for the films in this set seems to actually be 1957, not 1956, which perhaps makes my point even better.) Still, as with the first two collections,
there are some really interesting films in this set,
and genre aficionados will most likely find at least a few titles in this set, including some more British productions, that may well spark interest.
For an overview of the previous two releases in this series, please click on the following review links (which, like this one, will contain links of their
own pointing to reviews of the individual films in the set):
Noir Archive Volume 1: 1944-1954 Blu-
ray
review
Noir Archive Volume 2: 1954-1956 Blu-
ray
review
The Case Against Brooklyn is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Kit Parker Films and Mill Creek Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. This is another largely pleasing looking transfer, one with generally consistent contrast and a naturally resolving grain field. Detail levels are generally very good to excellent throughout as well, offering precise renderings on elements like fabrics in costumes and props. There's a bit of noticeable wobble during the credits, and there are occasional downturns in clarity (an early example is the scene introducing Warren Stevens). A late interrogation sequence has a bit of passing crush where black suits tend to become one with the shadowy backgrounds. My score is 3.75.
The Case Against Brooklyn features a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix which can sound slightly boxy at times, especially with regard to certain sound effects like a big explosion that is a major plot point late in the film, but which provides capable support for dialogue and score (including a kind of weird rock 'n' roll tune that is pretty much just shoehorned into a scene with McGavin and Hayes at a restaurant). There are no issues with dropouts or other damage.
None of the three discs in this set feature any supplements.
The Case Against Brooklyn is surprisingly gritty at times, especially within the context of the late fifties era, a time when cops were typically lionized and almost inherently viewed as heroes. The film never really completely attains its obvious attempts at what might be thought of as a kind of verité ambience, but it's often tough and violent, and it features some excellent performances. Technical merits are generally strong for those considering a purchase.
(Still not reliable for this title)
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1950
1942
1955
1955
1950
1947
4K Restoration
1948
Special Edition
1947
1952
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1955
1951
1959
I Became a Criminal / Kino Classics Presents
1947
1957
1950
Deluxe Edition
1949
1948
1952
1949
1953