Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Night My Number Came Up Blu-ray Movie Review

One part mystery, one part drama, and two parts compelling. (Do the math.)

A unique cinematic confection, The Night My Number Came Up is a compelling thriller (with some mystery elements at bay). Based on the story by Victor Goddard, the feature film is produced by Michael Balcon (Four Desperate Men, All at Sea) and offers viewers a spooky good time at the movies. Featuring performances by Michael Redgrave and Sheila Sim, The Night My Number Came Up is worth a watch (or a second look).

At a dinner party, commander Lindsay (Michael Hordern) tells his fellow guests about a nightmare he had about a horrific plane crash aboard a Dakota plane. One of the guests attending the party is the confident Air Marshal Hardie (Michael Redgrave). Though Hardie is soon set to take flight on a mission of his own (as he leaves Bangkok for Tokyo, Japan), he disregards the nightmare from his thoughts until he finds his plane was replaced with a Dakota and has the same number of passengers as Lindsay outlined being in his dream. Even the destination is the same: Japan. Was it a mere dream or a prophetic vision of the future? Will Hardie survive the flight?

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the production design and the use of special effects. Though the film can never approach the type of CGI effects of modern fare, there are some unique effects work sequences in the film. The art direction by Jim Morahan (The Man in the White Suit, Saraband) makes a strong impression.

Tension at max.

Several scenes utilized actual paintings and traditional art designs to create the special effects. (There is one scene with the plane which even seems to still showcase those tiny strings hanging above to hold up the flying ship – in a blink-or-you-miss-it moment). These elements might seem dated now but in looking at the film today it is also a mavel to recognize how impressive these effects once were (and equally how well the effects hold up in comparison to our modern ideals regarding special effects).

The production also benefits from some impeccable behind-the-scenes elements: the score composed by Malcolm Arnold (The Bridge on the River Kwai, Battle of Britain) helps to give a tense backdrop throughout. The film is tense and viewers will be on the edge- of-their-seat. The score certainly aids these moments and guides the film to its eventual destination.

The visuals are also impressive: the cinematography by Lionel Banes (Dangerous Cargo, Against the Wind) has beautiful black-and-white imagery that brings one in to the world. The film is all the more entertaining as a result. The stylized filmmaking presents the dangers of the plane flight in a uniquely compelling way. Combined with the editing by Peter Tanner (Hamburger Hill, Kind Hearts and Coronets), the filmmaking gains momentum and tension as the thriller aspect of the story slowly unfolds.

Leslie Norman (The Shiralee, Department S) capably directs the effort and manages to guide the film to some rather tense moments. Normal helps to pave the way for The Night My Number Came Up to demonstrate some eerie (almost supernatural) elements. Viewers will be intrigued by the journey. On the flip-side, the screenplay penned by R.C. Sherriff (Goodbye, Mr. Chips, The Dam Busters) leaves a lot to be desired. The characters are paper-thin and the plot-line takes a rather long time to truly start (and get the ground running). Even so, Norman directs the script with a level of dedication that truly helps make up for some of the shortcomings. The final act of the film is worth the price of admission alone and will leave viewers in a state of shock. Check it out.

The Night My Number Came Up Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The Night My Number Came Up has received a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 full frame. Throughout the presentation, I found the video quality to be quite acceptable if never as impressive as desired. Black levels were pleasing but never as pitch-black as desired. The scan looks naturally filmic and has a nice layer of film grain throughout but it also appears a bit less polished than it would have if it had received a 4K restoration (which it did not).

Overall, The Night My Number Came Up is a good presentation that is improved by showcasing almost no print damage. This is a clean print that presents the film as intended. It might not be the most robust looking film presentation but it is an admirable scan which preserves the intended aesthetic well. The end results are perfectly satisfactory and will leave fans feeling satisfied.

The Night My Number Came Up Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release features a DTS HD Master Audio mono soundtrack. The lossless high-resolution sound mix sounds quite impressive on the release. The soundstage is extremely minimalistic and most of the film is focused on dialogue reproduction. Dialogue remains crisp, clear, and easy to understand. Sound effects seem sparingly used for the most part but are more apparent in the second half of the feature. As the story becomes heightened with a thriller-aspect, the sound effects become a bit more lively and the track reproduces these moments quite well (as one can hear the turbulence of the plane). A satisfying audio presentation.

Optional English subtitles are provided.

The Night My Number Came Up Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio commentary by film historian Samm Deighan

The Night My Number Came Up Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:41)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: The Captive Heart (SD, 00:47) and No Highway in the Sky (SD, 2:10).

The Night My Number Came Up Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The filmmaking on display in The Night My Number Came Up is intense and thought-provoking in the most unexpected ways. There is something mysterious and supernatural about the story. The second act of the film is an invigorating finale and it brings the story in directions that are rather unexpected. The film isn't perfect but it has a lot of fun elements (such as the visual effects). The Night My Number Came Up also has a impressive performance by Michael Redgrave. The Blu-ray release features a generally solid video-audio presentation and some supplements help to round out the package. Recommended.