7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Joseph Losey's "The Criminal" (1960) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailer for the film and exclusive new audio commentary by critic Kat Ellinger. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
The price of freedom
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Criminal arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal.
Neither the original press release we received nor the actual disc feature technical details about the master that was used to source the release, but I can assure you that it is not old. It has very strong organic qualities of the type that onoy recent makeovers deliver, plus the overall stability and fluidity of the visuals also make it painfully obvious that it is a high-quality master.
Clarity and delineation are outstanding, and while a few shots can exhibit momentary softness depth is excellent as well. I projected the film and was quite impressed with the overall quality of the visuals. Grain exposure is strong and even, as it should be, and there are no traces of digital sharpening or other similar enhancements. The grading job is very convincing -- the blacks are stable and lush, but do not appear boosted, while the supporting white and gray nuances appear very healthy and nicely balance. There is only one sequence early into the film, from the prison, where the whites appear somewhat elevated, but this is likely a limitation of the original photography that was introduced by the indoor lighting. There are distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The audio has the type of native qualities that a film from the 1960s ought to have. Some minor unevenness exists, but clarity and depth are very nice. (You won't have to turn on the subtitles to catch all lines during the mass footage). Dynamic intensity is not impressive, but this isn't surprising because there is quite a bit of borderline documentary footage. There are no audio dropouts or distortions to report.
The Criminal is an instantly forgettable film for two simple reasons -- Joseph Losey's rather surprisingly choppy direction, and a mismanagement of its intensity which has a significant impact on its credibility. It is possible that big admirers of Losey and Stanley Baker would find something to like in it, but I am certain most viewers will agree with me that there are much better genre films from the 1960s. StudioCanal's release is sourced from a recent and very strong remaster of the film. RECOMMENDED only to Losey and Baker completists.
Warner Archive Collection
1978
Warner Archive Collection
1939
1948
1947
Premium Collection
1949
Masters of Cinema
1962
Arrow Academy
1947
Vintage Classics
1951
Indicator Series
1950
1948
1947
Indicator Series
1949
1955
1999
I Became a Criminal / Indicator Series
1947
Warner Archive Collection
1938
Blonde Sinner / Vintage Classics
1956
Indicator Series
1961
Eureka Classics
1958
1959