Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The Lodger Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 3, 2017

1944’s “The Lodger” is often regarded as one of the greatest takes on the Jack the Ripper case, exploring the wrath of a famous serial killer with a semi-compassionate look at mental illness. Granted, the competition isn’t all that impressive (including 2001’s “From Hell”), but “The Lodger” taps into a psychological stream that’s often riveting to watch, backed beautifully by director John Brahm’s atmospheric take on 19th century London and its tight-jawed slide into chaos.

Brahm bathes “The Lodger” in mood, filling the frame with fog and eerie lighting, sampling expressionistic cinematography to sell the story of Slade (Laird Cregar), a refined gentleman barely containing his unhinged qualities, taking a room in a London home, where he attempts to bond with showgirl Kitty (Merle Oberon) between acts of savagery involving local prostitutes. While the picture never sides with Slade, it does try to comprehend his illness, offering glimpses of his mental blockage, which poses a serious threat to Kitty and the women of London. It’s Cregar’s performance that keeps “The Lodger” engrossing, watching the actor curl his fingers around the madman’s sense of ache, playing subtle beats of malice under layers of pain.

The Lodger Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Bringing a decade-old restoration to Blu-ray, the AVC encoded image (1.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "The Lodger" doesn't shine as brightly as it could in HD, looking like only a marginal upgrade from previous DVD releases. Sharpness isn't as precise as it could be, even with inherent age-related issues, though detail isn't completely absent. It's a softly shot picture to begin with, with copious amounts of fog, but some textures remain, mostly on costuming and set decoration. Delineation isn't threatened, handling shadowy encounters to satisfaction. Source is in rough shape at times, with scratches and speckling a constant presence.

The Lodger Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix can be frustrating, as age hasn't been kind to "The Lodger." Intelligibility isn't horrible, but sound levels fluctuate throughout, generating an uneven listening experience, with the occasional, very brief, dropout. Scoring reaches a few distortive extremes, with a blown-out quality that wipes out instrumentation. Musical performances fair a little better, offering more defined vocals. Hiss and pops are constant throughout the listening event.

The Lodger Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features film historian Gregory William Mank.

• Commentary #2 features Alain Silver and James Ursini.

• "The Man in the Attic: The Making of 'The Lodger'" (15:33, SD) is a featurette that explores the picture's creative challenges and the material's history, tracking the exploits of Jack the Ripper from rumor to previous cinematic explorations, including Alfred Hitchcock's 1926 take on "The Lodger." Historians are gathered to discuss casting, production achievements, and character motivations, adding a deep appreciation for the film's artistry.

• "'The Lodger' Vintage Radio Show" (29:52) is an audio production starring Vincent Price and Cathy Lewis.

• Restoration Comparison (16:17, SD) is a look at work completed a decade ago to help bring "The Lodger" to DVD.

• Animated Montage of Images (5:21) collects publicity pictures and promotional materials.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:16, SD) is included.

The Lodger Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Lodger" evolves into a detective story, with Scotland Yard on the case, gathering clues around town as victims pile up. However, the picture is stronger in more contemplative moments, studying the evil churning inside Slade before he kills again. Brahm creates a nightmare space for "The Lodger," and he toys with tension effectively, constructing a different consideration of Jack the Ripper's motivation and rampage, employing an unusual mix of unease and understanding.