The Window Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

The Window Blu-ray Movie Review

Kids say the darndest things.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III September 24, 2021

Directed by long-time cinematographer Ted Tetzlaff, The Window is perfectly described by the short story it's based on: "The Boy Who Cried Murder". A short and suspenseful film noir starring young Bobby Driscoll (most famous for his work over at Disney, including roles in Song of the South, Treasure Island, and as the voice of Peter Pan) as nine year-old Tommy Woodry, The Window's small cast and tight-quarters atmosphere work fully in its favor. As the story unfolds, Tommy's bad habit of telling little white lies catches up with him one hot summer's evening when the boy witnesses a murder inside an upstairs apartment while sleeping on the fire escape. But wouldn't you know it, his parents (Barbara Hale and Arthur Kennedy) don't believe a word of the story. Tommy just had a bad dream... right?

Of course he didn't, since the murder -- committed hastily by the Woodrys' seemingly normal upstairs neighbors, Joseph and Jean Kellerman (Paul Stewart and Ruth Roman) -- is shown completely and in no uncertain terms. Unseen by the Kellermans, Tommy escapes to his home before they leave to dispose of the body. Only Tommy's pillow is left near the crime scene; it's the young boy's sole proof to himself that he wasn't dreaming, and is thankfully recovered without incident. But no one will listen to his pleas for help -- including the police, who are well aware of his tall tales -- and dutiful Mom even takes Tommy upstairs to apologize to the Kellermans in person for making up such a potentially harmful story. Now that they've accidentally found the sole witness, he'll be in real trouble soon enough.

Sure, it plays like an over-the-top PSA designed to cure any would-be habitual young liars of their ailment... but from a purely cinematic perspective, it's hard to find fault with The Window as a top-notch thriller. The film's careful balance of dark subject matter seen primarily from a child's perspective is maintained exceedingly well, bolstered by excellent performances from top to bottom with terrific noir visuals that hold plenty of weight -- no surprise on either count, given the director's experience as a cinematographer and the rock-solid cast, especially child star Bobby Driscoll (whose own life was cut tragically short at the age of 31). Its climax is a masterpiece of cat-and-mouse tension, expertly shot and edited for maximum suspense, with a resolution that feels realistic and satisfying at the same time. And while it does cross into over-the-top territory on a few occasions, as a whole The Window's condensed flow and visual approach gives it a unique, almost documentary-style atmosphere that reels in some of its more dramatically overcooked moments. It's a potent formula, and one that still obviously packs a wallop more than 70 years later.

As usual, Warner Archive gives the film plenty of technical support with a beautifully restored transfer that highlights its moody, high-contrast atmosphere with a 1080p transfer that's up to the boutique label's usual high standards. The lossless original mono mix sounds great, too. Perhaps this disc's only obvious weak point is its complete lack of bonus features which, combined with the film's slim running time, make it a little tougher to recommend to new viewers. Based on the main feature's strength and appearance, however, The Window is worth every penny.

The Window Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

I'd be surprised if The Window was sourced from anything less than a recent 4K scan of original nitrate elements, as the film just looks that damn good at times. Its ultra-moody noir lighting, heavy with shadows and carefully-placed highlights, allow room for plenty of silvery greys despite its overall high levels of contrast. Tight close-ups are often staggering in their level of fine detail, with beads of sweat easily seen during those hot summer nights. Background details are excellent as well, from cramped apartment interiors to the high-walled ceilings of a derelict building that's visited several times, including the film's opening scene and its thrilling, climactic chase. Black levels run nice and deep while bright whites look excellent too, with no perceivable crush or blooming getting in the way of a smooth overall appearance. Nonetheless, film grain is retained in abundance and helps contribute to the Blu-ray's dense and film-like textures, pushing it further into the highest tiers of Warner Archive's consistently great output. It's clean as a whistle too, thanks to the studio's usual practice of meticulous but unobtrusive manual cleanup. All told, this is a rock-solid transfer that will thrill die-hard fans and impress newcomers with its robust, eye-catching appearance.

The Window Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Likewise, the DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track carefully preserves The Window 's one-channel roots with a mix that carefully balances dialogue, music, and background effects. Clarity is excellent with only the smallest hints of hiss and crackle, likely a result of age-related wear and tear but rarely intrusive. The original score by long-time RKO composer Roy Webb (Murder, My Sweet, Out of the Past) takes center stage during establishing shots and during the film's most thrilling stretches, but rarely overpowers for more than a few brief moments at a time. Conversations are crisp with only a few exceptions, either due to quieter volume levels or thick New York accents; in both cases, the optional English (SDH) subtitles should clear up any confusion. Overall, though, it's excellent work under the circumstances.

The Window Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in a standard keepcase with original one-sheet cover artwork and no inserts. Sadly, no extras are included... not even a trailer, although it's worth noting that many RKO trailers from that particular era have not been included on past Warner Archive releases. (Perhaps lost or in unusable condition?) Either way, some effort in this department would have been appreciated and, while the A/V presentation is its real selling point, The Window's short running time means that you'll have exhausted this Blu-ray's total content in less than 75 minutes.

The Window Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ted Tetzlaff's The Window is a cracking film noir that just happens to be led by a nine year-old protagonist, and it still packs a wallop more than 70 years later. Expertly shot with a heavy, intimidating atmosphere, its careful treatment of dark subject matter as seen through the eyes of a young boy elevates the experience to greater heights. Supporting performances are matched pound-for-pound and, when combined with its tight pace and fat-free running time, make The Window a breeze to watch. Warner Archive's Blu-ray is fantastic -- more so for its sterling A/V presentation than the extras, of which there are none. It's still firmly recommended to newcomers, and even more strongly to fans.