The Manxman Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Manxman Blu-ray Movie Review

A worthwhile entry in the Hitchcock British International Pictures Collection

The Manxman is the last official silent film drama from the brilliant Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Rear Window). Based on the novel by Hall Caine (The Eternal City, The Prodigal Son), the feature is a exploration of romance torn asunder and the complications of wartime. An entertaining film that Hitchcock fans will want to check out, The Manxman has surprises up its sleeve.

The story revolves around the penniless but kind fisherman Pete Quilliam (Carl Brisson). Pete has been lifelong friends with Philip Christian (Malcolm Keen), who has become a successful lawyer over the course of their many years of friendship. Both men have developed romantic feelings for the beautiful girl of their dreams: Kate Cregeen (Anny Ondra).

As Kate and Pete start to become close with one another, their new relationship seems to blossom into something beautiful. Yet their romance is ultimately brought to a stand still because of status: Pete has no money to his name. Determined to one day marry Kate, Pete sets off to war with the aim to make a name for himself before returning to marry his beloved. With Kate left behind with Philip, a romance brews between the pair while Pete is at war. Who will Kate end up with: Pete or Philip? A love triangle unfolds.

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Despite the common undercurrents of the storyline at hand, the production values are impressive. The cinematography by Jack E. Cox (Heart's Desire, The Lady Vanishes) manages to help convey a great visual aesthetic which only a great director like Hitchcock could craft. The pace is also effective as edited by Emile de Ruelle (Dress Parade, Paradise). The film is quickly paced and goes by fast. Featuring art direction by C. Wilfred Arnold (Along the Way, Mystery in the Mine), The Manxman ultimately succeeds as a visual experience heightened by an excellent piano score composed by Andrew Earle Simpson (The Mysterious Airman, Whispering Shadows).

The screenplay by Eliot Stannard (The Laughing Cavalier, The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog) is not as interesting as what Hitchcock wrote for some of his other early silent films, such as The Ring or The Farmer's Wife, which were far more compelling. Ultimately, the story is a simple romantic love triangle excursion and not a lot more is on the surface. Character development is nonessential to the film and the storyline is less polished than it could be.

Alfred Hitchcock might not have had the best script to work with in regards to the production of The Manxman. Even so, Hitchcock's direction is top-notch. The visual cues are beautiful to watch unfold. The actors give solid performances. Hitchcock knows how to orchestrate a visual feast and ultimately that is the strength of The Manxman. While not one of the better early Hitchcock's, the production has enough merit to recommend a watch.

The Manxman Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The Manxman features a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio. The transfer on this release is satisfactory overall. A generally solid presentation, The Manxman is beautiful in most respects.

However, the print isn't perfect in every sense. While clarity is exceptional, there are thin scratches on the print, black levels are average at best, and the film grain can sometimes be a bit more prevalent than might be expected. There are also some scenes in which the photography look a little blown out. Nonetheless, the image looks largely naturalistic and does not have egregious DNR and digital tampering. Not one of the best transfers in the set but not a disappointment either. A worthwhile scan.

The Manxman Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Manxman has received a lossless 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. The music score sounds superb on the presentation. Clarity is exceptional for the piano accompaniment and never sounds too tiny or thin. The music of composer Andrew Earle Simpson adds to the experience with relative ease. A quality high-resolution track that makes the film even easier to enjoy.

The Manxman Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Farran Smith Nehme

Hitchcock/Truffaut: Archival Audio Interview (Champagne/The Manxman/The Skin Game) (SD, 12:17) is an engaging interview segment focusing on a different set of feature films (than what can be found on the first disc in the collection). The audio is accompanied by pictures from early Hitchcock films presented in a slideshow style. There are some insights into Hitchcock's favorite moments and creative approach which make it worth listening to. Fans should check it out.

The Manxman Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The final silent film by the great Alfred Hitchcock (before the master director began to transition into the making of "talkies" with his beloved follow-up, Blackmail), The Manxman is certainly a fascinating entry in the filmography of as beloved director. The film has compelling performances and enough interesting elements to make it worth a watch as an interesting film in Hitchock's British International Pictures Collection. Not a perfect film, but one that has its charm. Recommended.