7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Director William Wyler's suspense classic marks the only time cinema giants Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March worked together. And the result is everything you'd expect: taut, terrifying and terrific. Bogart plays an escaped con who has nothing to lose. March is a suburban Everyman who has everything to lose - his family is held hostage by Bogart. As the Desperate Hours tick by, the two men square off in a battle of wills and cunning that tightens into an unforgettable, fear-drenched finale.
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March, Arthur Kennedy, Martha Scott, Gig YoungFilm-Noir | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Are you a fan of games like the newish Connections offered by The New York Times? Well, here's a cinematic version, though I'll spoil the solution by saying that rather unexpectedly all of the following are connected, and it's in the how they're connected that some may find some interest: It's a Wonderful Life, A Place in the Sun, Riding High, Here Comes the Groom, The Heiress, Detective Story, Carrie, Roman Holiday and the film currently under discussion. If you're stumped by trying to group together things like director credits and that "sore thumb" of a sole George Stevens entry is just one of several potential stumbling blocks, an interesting supplement on this disc featuring José Arroyo offers some background on a cascading series of deals that resulted from the financial disaster that was It's a Wonderful Life's initial fate, and which then perhaps oddly ended up sparking the production of all of the above linked films. It's quite an august group of productions in some ways (perhaps excepting the two middling Capra Crosby efforts), and The Desperate Hours in particular can be a riveting viewing experience, at least for those willing to "time travel" experientially back to the Eisenhower Era when there was supposedly no safer domain than a man's post- World War II home.
The Desperate Hours is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration:
The Desperate Hours is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 in English mono audio, and has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films.Well, it had to happen sometime, and the only surprise may be that the increase is mathematical as opposed to geometric, since I kind of assumed the next "new, improved" resolution marker would either be 8K or 16K, considering how things have progressed thus far, but one way or the other that 6K scan should instantly indicate that the "capture" of detail from the VistaVision negative is considerably more precise looking than on the older Imprint Blu-ray. This is a really sumptuous looking transfer from both detail and contrast standpoints, and depth of field is superb, even if admittedly mostly confined to the interiors of the Hilliard home (this film has some rather interestingly skewed mises en scène that struck me as somewhat atypical for Wyler). Fine detail on everything from the crags of Bogart's face (and his stubble) to fabrics on costumes is beautifully precise looking. Grain is very tightly resolved, even with the film's almost nonstop onslaught of optical dissolves between scenes. For just one great example of the precision of this transfer despite obstacles like dissolves, keep your eye peeled on the edge of the side rearview mirror that is featured as the convicts drive around the peaceful suburban neighborhood.
The original 35mm VistaVision camera negative was scanned in 6K resolution at Fotokem, Burbank. The film was restored and graded at R3Store Studios, London.
The English mono soundtrack was sourced from the optical sound negatives by Paramount and was remasterd by Bad Princess Productions, London.
Consultation on the film's original release aspect ratio was undertaken with Robert Furmanek, American Widescreen Museum.
The Desperate Hours features an LPCM Mono track that is really full bodied and resonant, but which can't quite escape the somewhat boxy sound of the era. That aspect is probably most noticeable in some of the blaring brass cues, but all of the dialogue and even the bulk of the non strident underscore sound fluid and problem free. Optional English subtitles are available.
The Desperate Hours may not offer the kind of on screen violence that its 1990 counterpart did, but I'd argue that's part of its power, especially since there are some rather shocking (at least for 1955) outbursts of physical interaction. Bogart offers a really nicely weathered performance, and March and Martha Scott are compelling as the fraught husband and wife and parents. The supporting cast is stuffed full of fantastic character actors. Technical merits are solid and the supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.
1953
Reissue | Special Edition
1948
Gunmen on the Loose
1955
1949
1937
Warner Archive Collection
1948
1948
1954
1941
1951
1955
1955
Warner Archive Collection
1947
I Became a Criminal / Kino Classics Presents
1947
1955
1946
1948
1955
Warner Archive Collection
1951
1955