Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Leopard Man Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 23, 2019

Returning to the mystery and cinematic allure of big cats, producer Val Lewton takes command of 1943’s “The Leopard Man,” which involves a sleek, black predator and his reign of terror on a New Mexico community. However, the feature isn’t an animal attack endeavor, with the screenplay using the central threat as a way to examine the burden of guilt and the coldness of community, using a serial killer story to hook audiences in before offering them unusual characterizations in a semi-motivated tale of investigation.

Director Jacques Tourneur is the real star of “The Leopard Man,” shooting the stuffing out of the picture with cinematographer Robert De Grasse. The movie offers vivid style with gorgeously lit sets, and the stalking sequences, where female characters are targeted by an unseen evil, are genuinely effective, with sound and vision coming together to provide genuine frights. The other side of “The Leopard Man” isn’t quite as chilling, working through a sluggish detective story with a flaccid resolution, but the writing does pay attention to class divide, raising questions of responsibility and spotlighting the battles of poverty when dealing with those eliminated during the feature.

The Leopard Man Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation works with very dark imagery in "The Leopard Man," but delineation remains consistent, capturing shadow play and evening attacks without crush issues. Detail is strong, finding facial nuances and textured costuming, which delivers crisp formal wear. Sets are open for inspection, offering a clear read of decoration and creative lighting. Source is in fine condition, without major damage.

The Leopard Man Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix supplies a comfortable listening event, offering strong, detailed dialogue exchanges with minimal age-related issues. Scenes of terror remain stable, without distortive extremes. Scoring is appealingly defined, capturing shifting moods with orchestral support. Instrumentation is satisfactory, with emphasis on the castanets, which offer precise clicks throughout. Sound effects register as intended.

The Leopard Man Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features film historian Constantine Nasr.

• Commentary #2 features filmmaker William Friedkin.

• Image Gallery (8:36) collects film stills, publicity shots, a theater display, concept art, poster art, lobby cards, and pages from an exhibitor manual.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:05, SD) is included.

The Leopard Man Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What's most interesting about "The Leopard Man" is the way it was marketed, sold as a creature feature highlighting the wrath of a half-human/half- cat monster, with such a lofty promise extending to the trailer and the poster art. Of course, "The Leopard Man" is not that movie, emerging as more of a mystery concerning the identity of a suspect responsible for such heinous crimes. Thankfully, there's something substantial here to dig into when promotional misdirection wears off.