The Whole Truth Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Whole Truth Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 25, 2024

John Guillermin's "The Whole Truth" (1958) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with critic Robert Shail; new audio commentary by critics Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby; archival interview with assistant director Ronald Spencer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The only way The Whole Truth could have turned out a better film is if its famous producer, Jack Clayton, had provided the proper funding to have John Guillermin shoot it on the French Riviera. It is still a gorgeous film, but Walton Studios, where Guillermin was dispatched to do it, cannot be mistaken for the French Riviera. Jacques Deray’s The Swimming Pool, which was completed a little over a decade later, is a very close relative of The Whole Truth, but has a completely different vibe precisely because it was shot on the French Riviera. For example, it looks naturally elegant because it takes full advantage of the area’s stunning beauty, which is not at all difficult. Its glamorous stars do not remain indifferent to it either. In The Whole Truth, there is a whiff of artificiality, which is introduced by the effort to replicate the area’s stunning beauty.

On a busy set somewhere between Nice and Cannes, wealthy film producer Max Poulton (Stewart Granger) clashes with the pretentious star of his next big project, Gina Bertini (Gianna Maria Canale), who threatens to reveal that she has been allowing him to sleep with her. To reset the situation, Max agrees to give Gina a ride back to her hotel, where he once again surrenders in her arms. Several hours later, Max arrives at his posh home, where there is already a large party in progress, and lies to his wife, Carol (Donna Reed), that because of unexpected developments on the set he has been unable to bring the fresh lobsters she had asked him to pick up for the guests. Max then offers another lie to the guests and begins acting like a proper host.

But before Max can finish his first drink, he is asked to meet privately a stranger named Carliss (George Sanders), who informs him that he is investigating the murder of his mistress on behalf of Scotland Yard. Max retains his composure and quickly manufactures yet another lie to describe Carliss’ visit to Carol, but shortly after his life spins out of control.

Guillermin worked with a screenplay by Jonathan Latimer, who had adapted Philip Mackie’s original play of the same name. Unsurprisingly, The Whole Truth has a theatrical quality that is a key element of its identity.

However, The Whole Truth has an even more prominent noirish quality of the kind that many of Hollywood’s classic lavish film noirs are known for. It cannot be mistaken for being one of them because the scope of its narrative and cinematography is quite different, but it certainly does not look like a conventional postwar British film noir either. Indeed, the likes of It Always Rains on Sunday, Odd Man Out, and Brighton Rock simply have completely different cinematic genes.

It is probably fair to speculate that the cast is as big as it could have been -- an American female star, a well-known Italian actress, and two established British actors. This formula, uniting big American stars with established European actors, is one Italian filmmakers kept viable well into the 1980s and with great success. It works very well in The Whole Truth too, though it must be said that the two male leads do the majority of the heavy lifting.

Guillermin’s director of photography was Wilkie Cooper, who left an impressive legacy of diverse genre films, such as Went the Day Well?, Green for Danger, Stage Fright, Jason and the Argonauts, and One Million Years B.C..

The Whole Truth Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.75:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Whole Truth arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

In an ideal world, this film should look a little fresher on Blu-ray, but I did not notice any issues with the current presentation. On the contrary, I saw a lot of visuals that looked wonderful, which is not easy because there is plenty of darker material with various unique shadows and darker nuances. Delineation and depth ranged from very good to excellent as well. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections, plus image stability is excellent. So what can be improved so that the film can look even better on Blu-ray? While there are no issues that affect grain exposure, in a few areas its consistency and overall health could be a tad better. If they are, all visuals will look superior. Still, this release offers a very solid organic presentation of the film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Whole Truth Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

All exchanges throughout the film are very clear, sharp, and easy to follow. Balance is excellent, too. I would say that dynamic intensity is terrific too, though only the music score creates important contrasts, which is a bit surprising. Or perhaps it is not because the entire film was shot in a controlled environment where acoustics were obvious managed very well.

The Whole Truth Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage theatrical trailer for The Whole Truth. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Kevin Lyons and Jonathan Rigby.

• Robert Shail: Sinister Smiles - in this new program, critic Robert Shail discusses the company Romulus Films and the type of films it produced, including The Whole Truth and the particular cast that was assembled for it. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• The BEHP Interview with Ronald Spencer - this archival interview with assistant director Ronald Spencer was conducted by Joyce Robinson on July 29, 1991. Spencer discusses his background and career.

• Image Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for The Whole Truth.

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet with a new essay by Barry Forshaw, archival interviews with George Sanders and Gianna Maria Canale, archival article on Canale and Donna Reed, extracts from the films campaign book, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and technical credits.

The Whole Truth Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Whole Truth is a small but lovely film. Had it been funded by a producer with deep pockets and the courage to do it on the French Riviera, I have to speculate that it would have done very good business on both sides of the Atlantic. As I was viewing it the other night, I was reminded of two great French films from the 1960s, Bay of Angels and The Swimming Pool, both of which brilliantly use authentic footage from the same area. With a few tweaks and similar footage, The Whole Truth could have turned out like them. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' release is sourced from a solid organic master. If you decide to pick it up for your collection, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.