The Chase Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Chase Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 20, 2016

“The Chase” commences like most film noirs, setting up a dangerous game between shadowy men, with the charms of a woman wreaking havoc with several lives. The 1946 picture has passable style and an interest in storytelling peculiarity, adapting Cornell Woolrich’s challenging novel for the screen. Director Arthur Ripley has ideas for “The Chase,” but little interest in cranking up the cheap thrills of this frequently absurd thriller.

“The Chase” toys with non-linear storytelling, dipping into the dreamscape realm to investigate misfortune visited on ailing war vet Chuck (Robert Cummings), whose quest to be an honest man brings him to ruthless gangster Roman (Steve Cochran) and his right-hand man, Gino (Peter Lorre). Also in the mix is Lorna (Michele Morgan), Roman’s wife and a woman desperate to escape her life, using Chuck’s romantic interest as a way to secure her way out of a troubling relationship. For many movies, this would be enough to fill the run time, but “The Chase” toys with reality in clunky ways, trying to keep the audience at arm’s length as it inspects the blurring of Chuck’s turbulent, drug-coated mind.

The Chase Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.41:1 aspect ratio) presentation is the end result of a restoration from The UCLA Film and Television Archives, who worked with 35mm elements to bring "The Chase" to Blu-ray. This isn't a tidy refreshing, with numerous sources retaining their slightly battered appearance, showcasing slight judder, scratches, minor chemical burns, and assorted dips in visual quality. Those willing to get past these limitations are rewarded with a pleasing display of detail, finding clarity encouraging if a bit erratic when facing age and focal limitations. Delineation is satisfactory, but only goes as far as source quality allows.

The Chase Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA audio mix is perhaps the best "The Chase" is ever going to sound, providing decently defined dialogue exchanges, finding dramatic escalation and hushed desires easily understood. Music also handles well, creating intended moods without ideal crispness. Hiss and pops are detected during the listening experience.

The Chase Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features filmmaker Guy Maddin.

• "The Black Path of Fear" is a radio adaptation of the original Woolrich novel, offering versions from 1944 (29:21) and 1946 (26:48), the latter featuring Cary Grant.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

The Chase Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Chase" has significant pacing problems, and a few ideas, including Roman's special car, which gives the gangster control over acceleration from the back seat, are too weird to simply blend into the fabric of the film. Performances are terrific (Cochran is honestly frightening), but acting only ends up a small portion of the feature, which soon devotes its full attention to a storytelling "rewind" that isn't compelling. "The Chase" is best reserved for those who enjoy putting cinematic puzzles together, though even that forgiving crowd might be frustrated with the movie's missing pieces and deliberate avoidance of explanation.